The Osun West Collective, a group comprising professionals and political stakeholders from the Osun West Senatorial District, has paid tribute to the first civilian Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, on his 70th posthumous birthday.
In a statement signed by the group’s Patron, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the late Senator Adeleke, fondly referred to as Serubawon, was lauded for laying the foundation for Osun State’s progress, a legacy now being upheld by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The group described Serubawon as a true democrat whose leadership style transcended barriers of tribe, gender, religion, or culture. They noted that his impact as a governor and as a senator representing Osun West is still felt by many who knew him and even by those who never met him.
The statement reads:
“Today, we remember a hero, the first civilian Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, affectionately known as Serubawon. He was a visionary leader who laid the foundation for a prosperous Osun State, a foundation that our performing Governor Ademola Adeleke is now building upon.
“Senator Isiaka Adeleke was a true democrat, a leader who was accommodating and inclusive, never discriminating based on tribe, gender, religion, or culture. His untimely demise remains a shock to those who knew him and to many others who benefited from his impactful governance.
“Across various sectors globally are distinguished professionals who were mentored and nurtured by the late Serubawon. His commitment to building people and, by extension, a better society remains a testament to his dedication and vision.
“His memory lives on, and his legacy will forever inspire us.’
