We’ve Lost A Great Gem – Senator Yunus Akintunde Pays Tribute to Prince Ajibola Afonja
Prince Ajibola Afonja, a role model, mentor, and father, I’ll miss him sorely – Senator Yunus Akintunde morns.
In an emotion-laden condolence message, Senator Yunus Akintunde has mourned the demise of Prince Ajibola Afonja, the Chairman of Integrated Dimensional Systems (IDS), who died in the early hours of Sunday, May 19, 2024.
In a release made available to the media by Kunle Olatunji, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Senator Akintunde, he expressed shock about the sudden passing of Prince Ajibola, though at an advanced age of 82, after a brief illness at the University Teaching Hospital, UCH, Ibadan.
“I have lost a father, mentor, and role model with this incident, and I will greatly miss him. I had discussions with him just a few days ago with plans to meet soon, and our discussions always centred around Oyo town, Oyo State, and Nigeria, of course, in that order, as he was unpretentious about his love for Oyo town.”
“His immense contributions to humanity in general and to us as his kinsmen from Oyo town are legendary.
“He was a philanthropist per excellence, and his IDS and several other business enterprises provided tremendous opportunities for several youths through employment while creating integration and stimulus for other business investments in Oyo town.”.
“Prince Ajibola had served within the corporate sector and later was appointed as the Chairman of First Bank Plc, where he served meritoriously and was a pride and beacon of hope for the Oyo people. We all looked up to him as a role model and mentor in our growing up years, and he was always available to encourage vibrant and focused individuals.”
“At the time when he also served as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prince Ajibola Afonja was noted for his integrity and visionary approach to issues of national economic growth and development, with Oyo town and people benefiting immensely from his kind and benevolent nature and disposition.
“For me, his demise is a personal loss, quite painful, and I, with his family, friends, and associates, the good people of Oyo town, can only take solace in Allah as well as the great legacies he left behind.
“I am proud of him and have a personal relationship with him. While he was firmly committed in his support of my political engagements and ambitions, I’m glad that during his lifetime he witnessed my emergence as the Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, even when he had attempted and contested for the same office years ago. His kind of person is rare with uncommon humility in greatness, which is one great virtue among others that endeared him to many people who have attested to his greatness while alive and now that he has passed away”.
“Prince Ajibola Afonja was a loveable, amiable, kindhearted, and generous illustrious Oyo son, a professional banker and financial expert, business mogul, and philanthropist who will be sorely missed by all of us.”.
“The good people of Oyo town, Oyo State, Nigeria, and indeed Africa really lost a great gem with his passage. May his gentle soul rest on him, and I pray that Allah grant him Aljannah Fridaus.” He submitted.
