Hundreds of sympathizers on Friday thronged the residence of late Senator Bayo Salami who died of COVID- 19 at New York on Thursday afternoon.
Many of the sympathizers who had arrived at the residence located at the GRA of the government House area of Osogbo, Osun State were drenched with tears after weeping uncontrollably to mourn the departed soul.
Personalities from all walks of life also paid their last homages to the residence of the deceased to associate and commiserate with the bereaved family.
Some of the personalities sighted at the home of the deceased that once represented Osun Central Senatorial District were the former Secretary to the Osun State government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, an Osogbo based business mogul, Chief Tunde Badmos; Former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo and his wife; former Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Lanre Afolabi among others.
Also present at the mourning home were the Oloris of Ataoja of Osogbo land, representatives of Oludo of Ido- Osun, Alayemore, Oba Adeen Adedapo.
Speaking with Tribune Online, the former Secretary to the state government, described the departed soul as a never to be forgotten personality whose lifetime preached humility humanity and simplicity.
Adeoti stated that the deceased would always be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the development of humanities.
He, however, disclosed that late Salami died around 3.00 pm on Thursday at New York and that, Senator Sola Adeyeye was in his company when he died.
He further described the deceased as a person whose major preoccupation was the problem of the common man and prayed to God to forgive the deceased sin and grant his Aljanai.
“His death was sudden, his departure was a great loss but I will always remember him for the legacies he left behind. He was a gentleman and highly religious and has contributed immensely to the development of his state and this country at large”.
The former SSG who reechoed the vanity of life, charged all and sundry to always get themselves prepared for death saying, if anybody tells him, Hon. Bayo Salami would die in twenty years time, he would contest it.
The firstborn of the deceased, Toyin Salami who received those who paid condolences to visit his late father’s house, described his father as a perfect gentleman and easy-going person while on the surface of Earth.
While speaking on one of his late father’s values, Toyin stressed that his father was a value adder person who always put smiles on the faces of people.
However, one of the family members who simply identified himself as Adebisi said, the deceased was 69 years of age before he finally went with the wind.
Meanwhile, condolence messages have been sent to the bereaved family.
Governor Gboyega Oyetola on Thursday night posted his condolence message on his Facebook. He described the death of the late former lawmaker as a great loss to the state.
Also the speaker of the state house of assembly, Timothy Owoeye in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Alabi commiserated with the people of Osogbo stated that the death of the politician would definitely leave a temporary vacuum for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osogbo federal constituency.
He stated that Senator Salami’s wise counsels will be sorely missed by the people and government of the state as he regularly and willingly listened to leaders and always had good advice to move the progressive family forward in the state of Osun.
Owoeye also described the late Senator as strong campaigner of progressive ideologies aimed at promoting a society that will make life meaningful for the masses.
The Speaker admonished that supporters and people of the state should take solace in the admonition of the scriptures that held that God is sovereign over life and death, “God holds the power of life and death in each one of us. It is appointed unto man once to die but after this judgement”.
“The death of Senator Salami is a big loss to Osogbo, the State of Osun as well as the entire progressive family. Salami’s contributions to the growth of Osogbo and Osun will be missed.
“Baba Salami’s death is sudden and shocking but with submission to the will of God which can not be questioned by we mortals.
“I commiserate with the Salami family, Osun Central senatorial district and Osun at large. I pray that God Almighty will receive the soul of the departed leader and comfort his family”. The Speaker stated.
Also, the House of Representatives member representing Osogbo Federal Constituency, Olubukola Oyewo described the death of Salami as a huge loss to Osun State.
Oyewo in his condolence message issued on Friday, sympathised with the Ataoja of Osogbo, the State Government of Osun, the people of Osogbo and the families of the late Sen. Bayo Salami.
The lawmaker said; “I condole with Ataoja of Osogbo, His Royal Majesty Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun (Larooye II), all people of Osogbo, Immediate and extended family members, friends and associates of the deceased astute politician.
“His sudden and unfortunate death has robbed us of the services of a patriotic and hard-working community developer and social engineer”, Oyewo said.
He urged the family and all associates to find comfort in prayers and acceptance of the will of God.
He prayed God to grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest and comfort his families and loved ones.
