Former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel as well as founder of Omooba Obaruwa Foundation, Omooba Adekunle Adebayo Ayoola have both described the Late Dagburewe of Idowa, in Odogbolu local government area of the state, Oba Yinusa Adekoya as a royal father par excellence who used all his God’s given resources and ability to serve the people of his domain, Ijebu land and the country in general.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Omooba Adekunle Ayoola, an international trade expert stated this in their separate condolence messages made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Monday.
Daniel said “I am saddened to learn of the passing of the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Oladele Adekoya. Though he passes on at a very ripe age, we would have preferred to have him on this side of eternity for longer.
“His invaluable service to humanity in general and Ijebuland, in particular, would be sorely missed. My heartfelt condolences to the Awujale of Ijebuland, His Royal Highness, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, on this painful demise of his long-standing lieutenant.
“I also extend my commiseration to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun on the loss of this great loss of a foremost traditional ruler in the state.
“My sincere prayer is that God Almighty will grant Oba Adekoya’s family, the good people of Idowa and the entire Ijebu sons and daughters the strength to graciously cope with this loss”.
Similarly, Omooba Adekunle Ayoola while condoling with the people of Idowa, Odogbolu local government and the entire Ijebu land over the passage of the 87 year old monarch said to have joined his ancestors on Sunday added that “it was indeed end of another glorious era marked by significant development in Ijebu land”.
Ayoola who is also from Odogbolu local government explained that the late second in command to Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, was a natural leader in the real sense of it who deployed all that was within his ability to foster peace and advance the socio-economic development of Ijebu land.
He said “it was with great shock that we learnt that our highly revered father and great lover of the people, Oba Yinusa Adekoya, the Dagburewe of Idowa in Odogbolu local government area of our dear state has joined his ancestors.
“Record has it that the highly accomplished royal father after his meritorious service to the nation as a federal civil servant, became the traditional ruler of Idowa in February 1993 and had since remained committed to looking after his people until he joined his ancestors yesterday.
“It was no doubt end of another glorious era. I hereby commiserate with our father, the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Idowa community and the entire Ogun State over this great loss. It’s our prayers that the almighty God will give us all the fortitude to bear this huge loss”.