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By Lai Gidado
The family of former Military Governor of old Ondo State, Major General Ekundayo Opaleye (rtd), has described the state government’s response to the death of the former Military Governor who died about four months ago as unbefitting of such Elder Statesman.
The late Major General Ekundayo Opaleye (rtd), was the Military Governor of the old Ondo State from August 1986 to December 1987, during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
The family disclosed, that it had forwarded a letter notifying the Ondo State Government over the death of the former MILGOV since November last year, about four months ago.
“It is regrettable, that ever since then, both Ondo and Ekiti state governments failed to condole with the family of the deceased until last week, when Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa forwarded a condolence letter to the family of the deceased through a WhatsApp message
The action, according to the family was very demeaning, embarrassing, and disrespectful to a former Military Governor of the state who retired as a Major General in I993.
They wondered why such a highly revered General of the Nigerian Army who governed, not only old Ondo State, but also also restored peace to the Republic of Rwanda during the that country genocidal war should be treated with such degree of disrespect.
“Major General Ekundayo Opaleye later rose to become the Corps Commander of the Nigerian Army Engineers and Commander of the then Organisation of the African Unity (OAU) Neutral Military Organization Group (NMOG) in Rwanda, amongst others, which culminated to his elevation to the rank of Major General.
“The Ondo State Government, until now, never deemed it important to send a State delegation to honour the deceased, but only sent a condolence letter through an C service, even when the State Liaison Office in Lagos could have been sent to deliver such letter to the family.
“Even Ekiti State Government whose letter was personally delivered to the State Government by a top Security Official in the State is also yet to respond.
According to a family source, Osun , Lagos and Oyo State Governor’s upon receiving the news of Major General Ekundayo Opaleye’s death, condoled the Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun. The Ogun Governor who is already deeply involved in giving the retired General a befitting burial , has been leading delegations to condole the family.
According to the burial arrangement sent to Ebony Herald International Magazine, the final journey home of the former Ondo State Military Governor will begin on Wednesday, February 7 and will be interred on February 9 in Abeokuta, Ogun State with full Military Honors
The family added, that this moment, the two state governments has not sent any delegation nor indicate any interest of being part of the burial ceremony.
