By Chris Onuoha
Leadership of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) have expressed with heavy heart, the death of a former Governor of Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, who’s demise occured on Wednesday June 25, in Abuja, describing him as a detribalised and advocate of good governance and Nigerian unity.
In a statement to the press on Friday jointly signed by the leadership of the group comprising Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Afenifere; Dr. Bitrus Pogu, the Middle Belt Forum; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, Ohaneze N’digbo and Ambassador Godswill Igali for Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), it stated that the country has once again lost an illustrious son, a devoted Awoist and one who gave his best for the development of the country and in the service of humanity.
“Southern/Middle Belt Forum announces with deep sense of loss and appreciation of a life spent in the service of humanity, the transition to glory at the age of 84 years, yet another of our revered Leaders and one-time Governor of old Kwara State, His Excellency, Chief Cornelius Adebayo.
“A Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cornelius Adebayo served the good people of the old Kwara State as Governor and Nigeria as Minister of Communications with the highest level of patriotism during Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
“C.O, as our departed Leader was fondly called, was a dependable ally of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a Leader of Afenifere, the Middle Belt and the umbrella Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF),” the statement reads.
