By Richard Akintade
Former Governor of Osun State and former Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Adebisi Akande, has disclosed that he didn’t know he will live till 50 years because his parents didn’t live long.
Chief Akande who spoke in his Ila-Orangun country home on during the celebration of his 80th birthday at Ila City Stadium, Ila-Orangun said he started rushing to marry and do whatever he could do when he was 40years, stated that he thought he would die as his parents died.
According to the elder statesman, his father died at 50, while his mother died at 45 years. He said he was hoping to die before 50, hence the reason he was rushing to do whatever he could do.
“When I was 40, I remembered that my parents did not live long. My father died at 50, my mother died when she was 45. I started rushing to do everything. I think I may die before 50.
Earlier in his message, former Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, described Akande as the brain behind his emergence and success as Governor of the state.
He described Osun State as one of the most difficult state to govern, saying “I thank Baba for his support and help to ensure our success.
Aregbesola who said Akande was the first to call him in 2002 to come home, said he declined the call until he realised the need for him to contest for political position.
The State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, described Akande as a patriarch and leader of progressive politics in Nigeria.
“An avowed democrat and progressive, Baba Akande has been a symbol of National ethos and an ambassador of Yoruba culture for the nation’s teeming youths and the new/old breed politicians.
“An ardent believer in his own principle, even if it means standing alone, Baba Akande, as Governor of State of Osun, introduced lofty and beneficial policies that partly constitute the components of the state’s extant enduring legacy”.
