Posted by By RAZAQ BAMIDELE, Lagos, MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta and TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure on
Widow of the former governor of Ondo State, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief (Mrs) Babafunke Ajasin, is dead. She died on Tuesday morning at the residence of her eldest son, Dr Mude Bola Ajasin, at Magodo, Lagos at the age of 93.
• Falae, Mimiko, Osoba mourn
Widow of the former governor of Ondo State, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief (Mrs) Babafunke Ajasin, is dead. She died on Tuesday morning at the residence of her eldest son, Dr Mude Bola Ajasin, at Magodo, Lagos at the age of 93.
The last daughter of the late matriarch, Mrs Jumoke Anifowoshe, a legal practitioner told Daily Sun that the burial arrangement would be announced later.
The wife of the former governor, who would have clocked 94 on April 3, was said to have fallen sick and was relocated to Lagos by her children. She was, however, said to have recovered from the sickness and finally passed on.
The late Babafunke Ajasin was described as a strong pillar behind her husband's tenure as governor of Ondo State.
Messages of condolences have been pouring in to the Ajasin family. In separate telephone interviews on Tuesday, former governor Segun Osoba, Olaniwun Ajayi and Ayo Adebanjo said the demise of Mrs Ajasin was a great loss. They described the late matriarch as a good wife who supported her husband a great deal in his quest to develop Nigeria.
'We'd miss her," Osoba said.
Gov Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State said of Mrs Ajasin: 'Adieu to a woman of honour and strong believer in the Nigerian project. Her support for her late husband, and by extension, the pro-democracy movement of which Pa Ajasin was a frontline leader, was phenomenal. As first lady of Ondo State, she fought side by side with her husband to resist attempts to steal the democratic mandate of the people in 1983. Since then, she had remained resolute and consistent on the side of the rule of law and democratisation of Nigeria. We mourn her death, we celebrate her exceedingly awesome life."
The Ondo State Government, in its reaction, described the late Babafunke Ajasin as a woman of great virtue.
The Governor, Dr Olusegun Agagu, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, said Mrs. Ajasin lived a fulfilled life, adding that the late Babafunke stood behind her husband when he was at the helm of affairs.
'We are going to miss her for her great role in the development of Ondo State. She lived a life that was worthy of emulation."
Democratic Peoples Alliance National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, said the wife of the late sage touched many lives and would be missed by many.
Falae pointed out that the political associates of the late Babafunke Ajasin would miss her wealth of experience.
The governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, said the wife of the late politician was a humble personality.
According to him, the late Babafunke Ajasin would be remembered for her great contribution to Ondo State and Nigeria at large.
Senator Bode Olajumoke described her as a pillar of support for her husband.
A member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Ogunbi described the late woman as a rare gem. Ogunbi, who is the only Alliance for Democracy (AD) member in the state legislature, pointed out that the vacuum she left behind would be difficult to fill in the political system of Ondo State.
Similarly, Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described her death as a big loss to the Yoruba race.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta and signed by Kayode Samuel, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel described the deceased as a good example of womanhood, a stabilizing force at the home front and an epitome of humility and selfless service.
'Chief Mrs Ajasin was a pillar of support for her husband all through their married life, especially in the turbulent period of Nigerian history and when he was the governor of old Ondo State. She was renowned for her love for and contributions to the development of her community, state and country."
Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba organization said the matriarch lived a fulfilled life characterized by devotion to her husband who was a moving sprit of Yoruba nationalism, care for her family and concern for the community.
'The Ajasins are worthy examples for the Yoruba people in terms of life of integrity, hard work, dedication to causes, loyalty to friends and community, principle in public life and exemplary conducts in human affairs," said the group, in a statement signed by Yinka Odumakin, national publicity secretary.