Makinde pledges to immortalise late PDP chieftain

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has promised to build a befitting South-West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat and name it after the party’s late chieftain, Soji Adagunodo.

The late Adagunodo was the national vice chairman, PDP, South West before his demise.

Makinde said on Thursday, during the commendation service held in honour of the deceased, that the gesture was to immortalise the late PDP chieftain.

He said that the late Adagunodo contributed a lot to the progress of the party in the zone and Nigeria as a whole.

The governor said that he would singlehandedly secure a land, build the secretariat and hand it over to the PDP before the one year anniversary of Adagunodo’s death.

Makinde recounted the roles played by the deceased in ensuring stability and the political victory of the party in the zone.

He said the impact of Adagunodo was felt, adding that the party would always remember him.

The Governor described Adagunodo as a courageous and committed party man, and a stabilizing force, who believed so much in PDP and always worked toward the development of the party during his lifetime.

“This is a celebration of life, even though he left us at a very young age, but he left with good impact. He lived a life of integrity,” he said.

Makinde charged the children of the deceased to see the passage of their father as a lesson of a shining path and a pathway for them to attain greatness.

In their separate remarks, many PDP chieftains who attended the event described Adagunodo as a loyal and committed party man.

They include acting national chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum; deputy national chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja; acting chairman, PDP Southwest, Alhaji Rahman Owokoniran; ex-Osun Gov. Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Oyo PDP Chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro.

Damagum said that the deceased was interested in the unity and togetherness of the party at all times.

Arapaja lauded Adagunodo for his various feats and efforts that made the party achieve electoral victory and post-electoral unity.

Oyinlola said the loss of Adagunodo was a huge blow to the party in the zone and country as a whole.

Earlier in his sermon, Bishop Ademola Moradeyo, former Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian wing), said he had known Adagunodo for four decades and described him as a good man who had interest of others at heart.

Moradeyo admonished people to be mindful of what would be their impact and what they would be remembered for after they are no more.

He also admonished people to do good and put others first and above self, especially in their service to humanity.

It was reported that members of the PDP from across the country attended the commendation service.

It was also reported that the service took place at the frontage of the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Agodi Ibadan.