THE Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ekiti State chapter, Chief Jide Awe Monday disclosed that the party, since 2009, had been aware of the health challenges of the deputy governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Aduni Olayinka, who died of breast cancer last Saturday.
And since then, the party and the government had joined hands to give her necessary support and best medical attention available in the world.
Meanwhile, more tributes have continued to pour in for Olayinka as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), its national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, the President's wife (Dame Patience Jonathan), House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, Ministers of Police Affairs (Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade) and Sport (Bolaji Abdullahi) and a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose extolled her virtues.
Others, who also paid tributes included Governors Theodore Orji (Abia) and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Lagos State ACN and House of Assembly as well as the party's National Secretary, Senator Lawal Shuaibu.
Dignitaries who paid condolence visits to the Government House in Ado-Ekiti included Governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and their wives (Florence and Olukemi), the first civilian governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Afe Babalola, Senator Ayo Fasanmi and Forum of Spouses of Ekiti State Officials (FoSESO) among others.
Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday observed a minute silence as they mourned Olayinka.
The lawmakers at the plenary took turns to eulogise Olayinka, with the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, describing her as a quintessential figure that brought "corporate ethics and integrity into politics."
The President's wife described Olayinka as a "compassionate and invaluable stateswoman," who was not only an experienced and result-oriented politician but also a woman of exemplary lifestyle. "Her memory and legacy will forever be cherished and remain evergreen," Mrs. Jonathan said.
The Lagos ACN in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, also praised Olayinka for her integrity and courage.
Awe, who spoke to journalists in Ado Ekiti said the late woman who she described as " a rare gem" did not keep the party in the dark about her health challenges because she briefed him whenever she travelled for medication.
He, however, assured the public and ACN members that her death, which he said was "a big blow to ACN in Ekiti" would not disintegrate the party.
According to Awe, " we all know that when issue like this happens in Africa, people will continue to read meanings to it. They will say evil must have done its worst, that is, somebody somewhere must have killed her."
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the ACN said: "The fact that Olayinka left her indelible footprints on the sands of time, having excelled in her chosen banking profession and later in politics, provides all those left to mourn her with some consolation.
''Mrs. Olayinka's showed her strength of character and rare courage during those years that our party battled to reclaim its stolen mandate in Ekiti. She was in the forefront of the battle, despite the risks to her personal safety. She never looked back, never regretted leaving the comfort of her previous job and never wavered.
''When eventually we reclaimed our mandate, she was there to work with her principal to rekindle hope and restore the lost glory of a state known for the decency, integrity and deep knowledge of its people. Our party will forever remember her contributions to upholding the standards we hold dear, especially in making life more abundant for the citizenry.''
