Ogbomoso – Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, and other prominent Nigerians on Friday attended the burial service for the late IGP Sunday Adewusi in Ogbomoso.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late Adewusi died at the National Hospital in Abuja on Jan. 26 at 79 after a brief illness.
Speaking at the occasion, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, the President, Nigeria Baptist Convention (NBC), urged leaders not to oppress their followers.
Ayokunle, who said that only God gives power, advised those in leadership positions to serve humanity conscientiously.
“Serve your generation. Every opportunity you have demands responsibility and the bigger the opportunity, the higher the responsibility,’’ he said.
Ayokunle described the late Adewusi as a man known both in the world and church.
Also speaking, Ajimobi described Adewusi as a detribalised and godly man who served Nigeria and Africa.
“We are very proud to produce such a man of influence who was detribalised, distinguished and extremely godly.
“He was early in life identified and honoured by the late Nnamdi Azikiwe as the youngest IGP ever,’’ he said.
Ajimobi said that the large presence of dignitaries at the funeral reflected the status and character of the deceased, urging his children to uphold his legacies.
Similarly, Arase described the late Adewusi as the “ Nostrademus of Nigeria police,’’ saying he foresaw, prepared and worked for the future of the police.
“We will not bury your legacies and virtues with your body. Your virtues and legacies will be kept. He is a personal mentor,’’ Arase said.
Also paying tributes, a former governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala, described the late IGP as his mentor.
Alao-Akala said that the deceased meant so much to him and a lot of people both in the police, his immediate community and the world at large.
NAN reports that other dignitaries at the occasion include retired Gen. David Jemibewon, retired Maj.-Gen. Oladayo Popoola as well as former IGPs– Tafa Balogun, Mike Okiro and Musiliu Smith.
Others present were retired Rear-Adm. Akin Aduwo and a former EFCC boss, Mrs Farida Waziri.
Adewusi, who was the Asiwaju of Ogbomoso, was born on Dec. 6, 1936 and was IGP at 44 under the administration of former President Shehu Shagari.
(NAN)
