• Ambode, Lagos Speaker also mourn

From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure and Clement Adeyi, Osogbo

Former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has sympathised with former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande over the passing of his wife, Madam Omowunmi Akande.
Kalu, while acknowledging the special role a wife plays in a family, especially in her husband’s life, urged the APC chieftain to take heart, adding that the late Madam Owowunmi will be remembered for her good deeds.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “I received with pain the news of the demise of Chief Bisi Akande’s wife, Omowunmi.
“I recall during my tenure as governor of Abia State, the same period Baba Akande served as governor of Osun State, I had the opportunity to meet the deceased, who was then the First Lady of Osun State. She was always supportive of her husband’s endeavours in politics and humanity.
“Madam Omowunmi was a woman of substance and a rallying point to many in her community.
“No doubt, she will be greatly missed, not only by her family members, but also those that came in contact with her in her lifetime.”
The former governor urged the Akande family to take solace in the fact that their matriarch lived a fulfilled life and left behind worthy qualities.
Kalu, while commiserating with the government and people of Osun State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Akande family, prayed God to grant the departed soul a blissful rest and also give Chief Akande the fortitude to bear the depressing loss.
Ondo State governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), also commiserated with Akande over the death of his wife. Akeredolu described the deceased as a disciplined, God-fearing and understanding woman who stood behind her husband to record landmark successes in both private and public services.
The governor enjoined the Akande’s family, the people of Osun State and Nigerians to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a good and fulfilled life.
Akeredolu said the late Mrs Akande will be missed by all whose lives she touched in her walk through life. He, therefore, wished the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described late Omowunmi as an epitome of humility, uprightness and one who was a pillar of support to her husband.
“She was a shining example of a virtuous woman, who stood by her husband through thick and thin, especially during the period he was incarcerated. She kept the home front together and ensured his absence did not affect their children adversely,” Ambode said.
While praying for the peaceful repose of her soul, he urged Akande, to draw strength from the joyful years they shared together. Governor Ambode also commiserated with the children and relatives of the deceased, just as he prayed to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the great loss. In his own condolence message, Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, described the death of Madam Omowumi Akande as a great loss to the state and the entire South-West. Aregbesola described Mama Akande as a great mother, loyal wife and one of the last bastions of progressive women in the region, who diligently served the people, the party and his husband till her last moments on earth.
“On behalf of my family, government and the people of the State of Osun, I offer our heartfelt condolences to both the immediate and extended family of Akande. We pray that Almighty God would grant her a befitting abode in paradise reserved for the pious and the righteous,” the condolence message read.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has sent a message of condolence to the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebisi Akande over the death of his wife, Omowunmi. Obasa described the death of the Akande matriarch as coming when her wisdom and words of advice were still needed.
“We will really miss mama because I know we still need her wisdom and words of advice. But, we are happy that she lived a good life worthy of emulation,” Obasa said.
While commiserating with the Akande family of Ila Orangun in Osun State, Obasa prayed that God gives the family the fortitude to bear the loss.