Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed sadness over the sudden death of the Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Oladotun Olakanle.
Olakanle, popularly called Tant’olorun, died on Saturday after a brief illness at the age of 54.
The late LCDA boss, according to findings, was said to be very active at work on Friday, November 1, 2024, as his administration distributed vehicles to police formations in the council area, while reports also indicated that Olakanle was at the burial party for the late All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr. Adesola Taiwo, which took place on Thursday, 31 October, 2024.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser (SA) on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said Olakanle’s death was a colossal loss to Onigbongbo LCDA, the ruling APC, and Lagos State as a whole.
The governor described the deceased council boss as a loyal party man, committed democrat, and public officer who had a deep understanding of local government administration and the political landscape, saying that this was evident in every programme he championed and the remarkable performance of his administration in the last four years.
Governor Sanwo-Olu sympathised with the immediate family of the departed, his friends and associates, members and leaders of the ruling APC, Lagos State chapter, the Conference 57, and the entire people of Onigbongbo LCDA over the death of the late council chairman.
“On behalf of my family, the people, and the government of Lagos State Government, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the residents of Onigbongbo LCDA on the death of the council Chairman, Hon. Oladotun Olakanle. His death was a personal loss to me and a painful loss to his council and Lagos State.
“I am saddened by the death of this fine gentleman, a loyal party man and committed democrat and public officer who had a deep understanding of local government administration and the political landscape
“Hon. Olakanle was a loyal politician and an invaluable asset to the All Progressives Congress (APC). There is no doubt that he would be missed by the entire political class, particularly the Onigbongbo LCDA, the Lagos APC family, and the state as a whole.
“As the Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Olakanle was deeply committed to the progress and well-being of the council, and this was evident in every programme he championed and the remarkable performance of his administration in the last four years.
“He would be remembered for creating a lasting legacy and for his positive contributions to the growth and development of the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area,” the governor said.
He prayed that God would grant the soul of Hon. Olakanle eternal rest and comfort his immediate and political family, as well as the people of Onigbongbo LCDA.
“I pray that God will grant the soul of our beloved Hon. Oladotun Olakanle eternal rest and comfort his immediate and political family of the deceased, as well as the people of Onigbongbo LCDA,” he prayed.
It would be recalled that Olakanle’s predecessor, Hon. Babatunde Oke, also died in office in August 2020.