Ex-Kwara governor, Cornelius Adebayo, dies at 84

Former Governor of Kwara State and ex-Minister of Communications, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, has died.

Adebayo passed away in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 84 years.

Born on February 24, 1941, in Igbaja, in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara, he was known for his impactful service in both state and national capacities.

He rose to political prominence in 1979 as a Senator under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and later became Governor of Kwara State in 1983, a tenure cut short by a military coup.

Years later, he was appointed Minister of Communications under President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, while reacting to his death, described Adebayo as “an administrator par excellence”.

He expressed deep sorrow over his passing, extending condolences to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the people of Kwara, Adebayo’s family, and political associates.

The monarch prayed for the repose of the late leader’s soul and strength for the bereaved family.