Renowned educationist and the Asiwaju of Osogboland, Ajadi Badmus, has died at the age of 83.
It was reported that Badmus died in the early hours of Sunday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
In a tribute signed by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday, the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, described Badmus’ exit as “an unfortunate development at a time Osogbo is witnessing rapid development in line with the dream of the deceased.”
Adeleke, who lamented the transition to the eternal glory of Badmus, condoled the Ataoja of Osogbo in Council and all Osogbo sons and daughters of the community over the death of the elder statesman.
The governor described Badmus as “an extraordinary lover of development, a passionate agent of change and a tireless mobiliser for the growth of the state capital and the state in general.”
He said that in the last two years of his being governor, the deceased has been a constant energizer of growth initiatives with a dispassionate push for the industrial and social development of the state.
He also recalled Badmus’s role in ensuring the kick-off of several federal and state projects in the state.
The statement read in parts, “As a leader of his people, the late Asiwaju would regularly reach out to me, reminding me of one thing or the other to do about one project or the other for his people. The deceased was an advocate of Osogbo for all citizens of the state and beyond, hence his advocacy to upgrade the state capital as the home for all Osun people.
“Our government understands and accepts the late Asiwaju’s philosophy of state governance, and we have matched our words with action through a systematic upgrade of the state capital and other major towns in the state. He was a counsellor for the public good. He was a public-spirited personality who lived up to his bidding as the Asiwaju of Osogbo Land.
“My only regret was that late Asiwaju did not wait for the commissioning of the ultra-modern flyovers at Osogbo, which we planned together. He was regularly monitoring the projects and always regularly expressed the appreciation of Osogbo people for those massive infrastructure projects.”
In honour of the deceased, Adeleke promised to ensure the successful completion of all ongoing projects in Osogbo, saying that he would also do more to leave a legacy of truly befitting state capital.
“Let me add that our government will continue the push for the commencement of some federal projects already sited in the capital. We will not allow the dreams of late Asiwaju to perish without realization.
“On this note, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the royal father of Osogbo Land, the great Badmus family and the families of the deceased.
“We take solace in the commendable and lasting legacy of service Chief Badmus left behind. We will remember him all the time as a leader selfless in action, loyal to community service and altruistic in advocacy for the good of the people,” Adeleke added.
