The political community in Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following the death of a former Governor of Kwara State and one-time Minister of Communications, Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo. The elder statesman passed away in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 84.
Born on February 24, 1941, in Igbaja, a town in the present-day Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Chief Adebayo was widely respected for his principled leadership and long-standing contributions to the nation’s political history.
A man of notable academic and political accomplishments, Chief Adebayo first came to national prominence in 1979 when he was elected a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing his constituency on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the progressive political party founded by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
In 1983, Chief Adebayo contested and won the governorship seat of Kwara State under the UPN banner. Unfortunately, his tenure was cut short by the military coup that toppled the civilian government later that year, marking the end of Nigeria’s Second Republic.
Years later, during Nigeria’s return to democratic governance, Chief Adebayo was called upon to serve at the federal level. In 2003, he was appointed Minister of Communications by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. During his time in office, he played a pivotal role in shaping policies that contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector at a time when the country was expanding its mobile and digital infrastructure.
Beyond politics, Chief Cornelius Adebayo was known as a seasoned administrator, a committed public servant, and an advocate for social justice and good governance. His life of service spanned decades and left lasting imprints on both the political landscape of Kwara State and the nation at large.
Tributes have started pouring in from political leaders, associates, and indigenes of Kwara State, who described him as a patriotic Nigerian and a humble leader who served with integrity.
Details of his burial arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
Chief Cornelius Adebayo is survived by children, grandchildren, and other family members.
