The Ekiti State House of Assembly, EKHA, has passed a bill renaming the newly-upgraded University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, after the former governor of old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua.
The university, which was upgraded from a College of Education, will now be known as “Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti” when Governor Kayode Fayemi finally assents to the bill.
The bill for the amendment of the law for the renaming of the university after Olumilua, was sponsored by a member of the house, representing Ikole Constituency one, Mr Adeoye Aribasoye and supported by members via a voice vote at the plenary.
In his remarks, the EKHA Speaker, Mr Funminiyi Afuye, observed that former governor, Olumilua who died in June this year at the age of 80, contributed immensely to the socio-political and economic life of Ekiti State and the old Ondo State in general.
The remains of the former Governor of Old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua have been committed to his mother’s earth with a call Nigerians, especially the leaders to use every season of their lives to serve humanity.
This formed part of the submissions of clerics and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi at the final ceremony for late Ishola Bamidele Olumilua in his country home, Ikere Ekiti.
Our correspondent Oriola Afolabi, who was there, reports that the burial ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life, including two former governors of Ekiti, Chief Segun Oni and Chief Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko as well as representative of the Vice President, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.
In a sermon titled “Trinity of life” the Assistant Evangelist at the Gospel Faith Mission International, Reverend Oludare Falade, charged the people to always serve with the fear of God and desist from actions that could rob them of eternal rest.
Reverend Falade, who described life as an opportunity, said no man on earth would not experience death, hence the need for leaders to be ready to give their account of stewardship on the last day.
He noted that everyone irrespective of status would be judged according to whatever that might have been written about themselves while on earth.
Also, Bishop Felix Adejumo of the Agape Church, who lamented that the values of the nation had gone to the drain, said many people no longer cared about God, but their pockets.
Bishop Adejumo prayed God to transform Nigeria and save the country from the current woe.
In a remark, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi said that the dignitaries on the occasion speak volumes of the legacy and impactful life lived by Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua.
Governor Fayemi maintained that the late Olumilua served meritoriously in the Old Ondo State and contributed meaningfully to the growth of Nigeria.
He called on leaders and members of the society to emulate the selfless service of Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua.
In their brief remarks, one of the sons of the deceased, who is also the commissioner for information, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua and the first daughter, Mrs Yetunde Banjo, expressed appreciation to those who made the burial of their father a befitting one.
They also described their father as a tolerant and hardworking, who always respected people’s opinions.
A Cleric, Pastor Ola Omosebi has advised leaders at all levels to leave enduring legacies and serve God and humanity with sincerity of purpose.
He gave the advice during a commendation service organised by Ekiti State government as part of weeklong activities lined up in honour of the Governor of the old Ondo State late Evangelist Bamidele Ishola Olumilua.
Pastor Omosebi who from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Ibukun, Ikere-Ekiti noted that since death is inevitable people should always live a live Worthy of emulation which would make them to remain indelible in the annals of history.
The cleric described the deceased as a courageous leader and challenged the people to emulate the evangelistic character of the elder statesman.
In a remark, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi described late Bamidele Olumilua as patriotic and highly cerebral leader, who served wholeheartedly during his time in governance.
Some political and community leaders at the event recounted the deceased’s achievements during his tenure to include the establishment of Ondo State as an oil producing state and facilitated the establishment of the Oil Minerals Producing and Development Commission, OMPADEC, among others.
The eldest son of the late Governor, Mr Olumide Olumilua appreciated the state government for the honour accorded his departed father stressing that his father was a disciplined, transparent and God-fearing Christian.
The event was graced by the Ekiti State Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, Speaker Ekiti House of Assembly, Mr Funminiyi Afuye, members of the state executive council, party leaders, and children of the deceased.
Aged eighty, Late Evangelist Bamidele Ishola Olumilua who democratically governed old Ondo State between 1992 and 1993 and was former Chancellor, Ekiti State University is survived by three wives, children and great grandchildren.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, has described the late former governor of old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, as a man of integrity, very truthful and an exemplary statesman.
Otunba Egbeyemi made the remarks when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late elder statesman who passed on in the early hours of today in his hometown, Ikere Ekiti at the age of eighty.
The deputy governor was received by the two wives of the deceased, Bolatito and Olayinka, family members and other sympathisers.
Otunba Egbeyemi consoled the family members and signed the condolence register to pay tributes to the former Governor of old Ondo State.
The wives of the deceased in their responses, commended the deputy governor for his prompt visit to the family and appreciated the Fayemi’s administration for always identifying with the family.
The Ondo State House of Assembly has commiserated with the Government and People of Ekiti State on the death of a former governor of old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua.
The lawmakers in a condolence message signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Olugbenga Omole and made available to newsmen in Akure described Evangelist Olumilua as an astute politician who left his footprints in his service to humanity.
According to the Lawmakers, the death of Evangelist Olumilua had created another vacuum in the political landscape of Nigeria.
The lawmakers acknowledged the immense contributions of Late Evangelist Olumilua to the uplifting of humanity describing him as an icon of democracy.
The members prayed God to grant him eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Ambassador Bamidele Ishola Olumilua was the civilian governor of old Ondo State comprising the present Ekiti State between January 1992 and November 1993.
Former Governor of old Ondo State and elder statesman, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua has passed on.
The news of Olumilua’s death was broken in the early hours of Thursday by his son, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua, who is the Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation in Ekiti State.
Olumilua, who was governor of Ondo State from January 1992 to November 1993 died at the age of 80 years.
The Ikere Ekiti born politician, farmer and religious leader was elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and served the old Ondo State before the eventual military take-over by General Sanni Abacha.
Evangelist Olumilua, a career Ambassador also served as the Chairman of the State Christian Pilgrims Board, and later appointed by Governor Kayode Fayemi as the Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.
The deceased was a hard-working patriotic Ekiti indigene who contributed to the development of the State.
