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Olabode Adaramola
Former Military President, General IbrahimBadamasi Babangida , has described the late General Adeyinka Adebayo as one ofthe finest Nigeria’s Military Officers and leaders.
He said the deceased former governorof the defunct Old Western region was a unique leader withlistening ears and uncommon intellect, while his leadership asa Commandant of the Nigeria Defence Academy(NDA) wasremarkable especially coming at a time when the civil war had just ended.
The former Nigerian Leader stated this ina condolence message personally signed by him at his Up Hill Mansion inMinna the Niger state capital a copy of which was made available to theNational Wire on Thursday.
He said, ‘at 89, one would think age waswell spent by the deceased General and it was time for him to go and have adeserved rest, but losing a dear one no matter the age, comes with grief,pains, sorrow and nostalgia’.
“That was my feeling when i heard thesudden death of one of Nigeria’s finest military officers and leaders, GeneralAdeyinka Adebayo. As a young military officer, I had the rare privilege ofworking closely with him as an Instructor at the Nigeria Defence Academy, whenhe was the Commandant of the Academy.
“He was largely detribalized andcosmopolitan, highly disciplined in the finest tradition of militaryorientation. He provided ample guidance to the Cadets, including those ofus who were instructors. He extended the same discipline to his children intheir growing up years. He was indeed a good leader, a good man and one whosewise counsel we will all miss.”, said IBB.
General Babangida also described the lateGeneral Adebayo as a great mind with sheer brilliance, adding that thedeceased General will be greatly missed not only as an elder statesmanwith unique persona, but one who remained level-headed all through his sojournin life.
He thereby prayed that may theAlmighty Allah grant him eternal rest in the hereafter, and grant his familythe strength and fortitude to bear with this painful loss.
Accordingly, he said, ‘as a leaderwho lived a fulfilled life, I am consoled that his positive legacies willcontinue to serve as good reference point to this and unborn generations’.
