IBADAN – The Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi has described the death of the civil war hero, retired Brig-Gen. Benjamin Adekunle, as a monumental loss to the country.
Ajimobi said this in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo.
Adekunle died in Lagos on Saturday at the age of 78.
The governor said that he was extremely saddened by the news of the death of Gen. Adekunle, popularly known as ‘Black Scorpion.’
“Although Gen. Adekunle had for some time now been facing some health challenges, his death at this material time when the country is passing through difficult times, in terms of security and national cohesion, is tragic and shocking,’’ he said.
The governor described the late general as a fine officer-gentleman, a nationalist and patriotic Nigerian. [eap_ad_1] “The officer exploited his military expertise to rescue Nigeria from the brink of precipice and ensured that the country remained one indivisible entity.
“Adekunle served the Nigerian Army with all his might and he was equally celebrated but never compromised on the need to end the agonizing civil war and bring peace back to the country.
“Since death is an inevitable end for all mortals, the late Gen. Adekunle should, therefore, be celebrated for his nationalistic posturing rather than being mourned.
“That Nigeria still remains one today is a pointer to the fact that Black Scorpion lived a fulfilled life,’’ he said.
Ajimobi prayed the Almighty God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest and the family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. (NAN)
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