“Koleosho was a great politician and businessman” – Oke ogun Council Elders

The former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleosho, OFR, has been described as a great politician and a resourceful businessman who always strove to actualize his ideas with all the energy that he had.

This was contained in a statement by the publicity secretary of Oke ogun Council of Elders (OCE), Comrade Jare Ajayi, while expressing the council’s condolences over the demise of the elder statesman who departed this world on Monday, September 2, 2024.

Former Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources, Otunba Bamidele Dada, OON, is the President of OCE. The statement quoted the OCE President as describing the late politician as someone who motivated a lot of people especially in Oke ogun and had influences in other parts of old and new Oyo State as well as in other parts of Nigeria.

“Being one of the highly respected Elders of Oke-ogun, Chief Koleosho was (and still is – even in death) in the hearts of many within and outside of our region, Oke ogun. Indeed, his death is being mourned by many across Nigeria and beyond – an indication of how wide his reach was, while alive”, said Otunba Dada.

The statement further asserted that “Chief Koleosho was one of those who influenced the authorities to beam a light on Oke ogun area. He and some Oke ogun compatriots made politicians to recognize the region as an important factor in political calculation in this part of the country. He had always been in the progressive family and belonged to the political parties that professed welfare programmes”.

His political journey began in 1976 when he served as a Councilor in the then Ifedapo Local Government Area of old Oyo State. The man who was to later become Babalaje of Sakiland took the interests of his people to heart. Incidentally, his people appreciated his services hence his being elected as a Member, Oyo State House of Assembly on the platform of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

OCE lauded Oyo State Government for the honour it is bestowing on Chief Koleosho and condoled with the immediate and extended families of the late politician.