Buhari, Gbajabiamila, others pay tribute to ex-NADECO chief Durojaiye

President Muhammadu Buhari, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) are among eminent Nigerians who have condoled with the family of former Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye on the death of the former National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain.

Durojaye died 4am on Wednesday while receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) at Ebute-Metta in Lagos. He was 88 years.

Other eminent Nigerians and organisations that mourned the former Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission from 2016 to 2019 are former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Lagos West Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola and Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).

President Buhari described Durojaye’s death as a great loss to the nation.

In a condolence message by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President also commiserated with the government and people of Ogun State, as well as friends and political associates of the elder statesman.

He described the deceased as “a dogged fighter for democracy, an activist, a nationalist and an indispensable member of the financial community”.

Speaker Gbajabiamila in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, recalled how the late Durojaiye contributed to the development of Nigeria’s democracy through robust and purposeful engagements as a foremost economist, barrister and solicitor.

Governor Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, expressed shock over the passage of the Ijebu-Igbo politician.