ASWITU MOURNS SHONEKAN & FORMER OYO GOVERNOR, SAYS ALAO AKALA LOVED IGBOS

Association of Southwest Igbo Town Unions (ASWITU), the umbrella body of all Igbo Town Unions, village meetings, women and youth groups in Southwest Nigeria has described the death of the former Nigerian President - Chief Ernest Shonekan and Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala, the former Governor of Oyo state as a huge loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

In a press statement made available to newsmen on January 14, 2022, the President General of ASWITU - Prince Erondu Uche described the exit of these two prominent Nigerians as a huge loss to the country, noting that they left when their wealth of experiences were most needed.

"The death of the former President, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Chief Alao Akala, former Oyo Governor is a huge loss not only to the Yoruba nation but to the entire country. Chief Shonekan will be remembered as a peacemaker and Head of State who took office at a most difficult time. His historic and patriotic role in maintaining the unity of the country is one of the many legacies he left behind. He was committed to the good of our dear country, he played his part, making sacrifices to set Nigeria on the path of progress even with the dark clouds that hovered over Nigeria in the 1990s".

Prince Erondu also described the late Chief Alao Akala as a good leader who loved the Igbos. "On his part the former Governor of Oyo state, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala lived for the welfare and security of the common man. He meritoriously served in various positions in the political space. He was a friend to Ndigbo in Oyo state and Southwest at large. His memories will remain evergreen. These men died when their wealth of experiences are most needed especially with 2023 in focus.
I pray God to give the Shonekans, Akalas, Yoruba nation and Nigeria the fortitude to bear this huge loss. May God also grant them eternal rest". He added.

The Oyo state President and Secretary General of Association of Southwest Igbo Town Unions (ASWITU), Nze Emeka Enwereonye had on January 13, 2022 led Oyo state delegation of ASWITU to pay a condolence visit to the family of late Alao Akala the former governor of Oyo state.

Chief Ernest Shonekan and Otunba Alao Akala died on January 11 and January 12, 2022 respectively. Shonekan died in Lagos state, while Akala died in Oyo state.

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