By Romanus Udekwe Okue-Agbomma
Anambra State Governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has joined a growing number of Nigerian leaders mourning the death of Olusegun Awolowo Jnr, grandson of the late statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who died on Thursday aged 62.
In a statement issued by his press secretary, Christian Aburime, on Friday, Governor Soludo described Mr Awolowo as a renowned lawyer, national patriot and prominent figure within Nigeria’s investment and export sector who embodied the principles of integrity and leadership championed by his grandfather.
Mr Awolowo served as Executive Director and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) from 2013 until 2021, during which time he championed the country’s shift away from oil dependency. He was unanimously elected president of the National Trade Promotion Organisations for ECOWAS member states in July 2021.
The Awolowo family announced his death in a statement on Thursday but did not disclose the cause. Sources close to the family indicated the death was sudden.
“With extremely heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather,” the family statement read, describing him as “a painfully loyal servant to Nigeria” who “dedicated his life to the service of his country with vision, integrity, passion, and unwavering commitment”.
Born on 27 September 1963, Mr Awolowo came into the world just two months after his father, Olusegun Awolowo Snr, the eldest son of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was killed in a motor accident at the age of 25. The younger Awolowo was posthumously named after him.
After being called to the Bar in December 1989, Mr Awolowo worked with several law firms before entering public service. He served as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Traditional Institutions and Legal Matters, and later as Special Assistant to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, serving as Secretary for Social Development and subsequently Secretary of Transport between 2007 and 2011.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the death as “a significant loss to the Yoruba race and Nigeria as a nation”, whilst Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun called it a profound personal loss, praising the deceased as “a gentleman par excellence, a voice of courage, and a consummate public servant”.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also issued tributes, with the latter describing Mr Awolowo as “a great friend, a great public servant, and a jolly-good fellow whose company everyone cherished”.
Mr Awolowo is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
