It was a roll call of who is who in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State as the All Progressives Congress Chairman in the local government, Alhaji Waheed Akinleye, led party executives, leaders and other dignitaries to the burial rites of the late Organizing Secretary of the party, Mr. Samuel Adesoji Okunade who passed on Wednesday May 7, 2025.
In a rare show of love and deep affection, party leaders attended the Service of Songs, Christian Wake, burial service and interment at the Wesley Cathedral Church, Elekuro, Ibadan on Thursday and today, Friday May 22 and 23, 2025.
According to a release by the Publicuty Secretary of the party in Oluyole Local Government, Mr Kazeem Akinwale, party leaders including Otunba Waheed Olawale, Honorable Abiodun Muideen, Ganiyat Adebiyi, ward chairmen and many others paid glowing tributes to the late Organizing Secretary.
A former Chairman of the local government council and close ally of the late organizing secretary, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan was represented by his wife, Dr. Omolara Olaosebikan.
In his sermon, the officiating minister described Soji Okunade as a highly responsible, dedicated and committed member of the church.
He appealed to the families and friends of the deceased to take solace in the fact that Soji lived a good life and left at God’s appointed time.
In his tribute, Alhaji Olaosebikan said Soji was his “dearest brother, fantastic friend and exceptionally loyal and committed political associate.”
A progressive to the core, Olaosebikan stated that Okunade in all his political life never deviated from the path of the progressive for one second.
His words: “Politically, SOJ was one of the best and most consistent progressives. Soji never deviated an inch from the progressive path all his life.
“His death dealt me a big blow which I am not sure of recovering from. May the Almighty rest his soul. To his mother, his dear wife, his children Tola, Dotun and Kunle; his siblings and other family members; Oyo State APC, Oluyole political family; his friends and KO Movement, may God grant us the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. Adieu, Our Man, SOJ.”
The late Samuel Adesoji Olumuyiwa Okunade was born on October 24, 1964. He retired from the service of the government of Oyo State after 35 years of meritorious service. He is survived by his mother and three children.