NAN-H-106
Tributes
By Ariwodola Idowu
Usi-Ekiti, (Ekiti ) Scores of residents of Usi Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Thursday trooped out to honour an accomplished indigene of the town,the late Prof. Babalola Borishade who died on April 26, 2017 in a London hospital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Borisade before his death at 71 years, had served the nation as the Minister of Education, Tourism as well as Aviation at various times during the the two-term tenure of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as president of the country between 1999 and 2007
The crowd, comprising of men and women, old and young, including students gathered at the grapevine of the town for a day of tributes, which was organized to kick-start his burial activities which will climax this Saturday.
They sang different local songs and danced round the town to express their love for the man they described as a major pillar and role model in the town.
According to one of his children, Dr. Olamide Borishade, the late minister was an embodiment of humility with an uncommon spirit for community development who used his good offices to better the lots of residents and several other Nigerians while alive.
ln his comment, a former Chairman of the State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Femi Akinyemi, described the late minister as the hope of many, due to his philosophy of life that was dedicated to service to humanity and philanthropism.
Another prominent son of the area, Chief Akogun Ogunleye, said the vacuum left behind by Borishade would be difficult to fill, considering his accomplishments and contributions to the development of education in the country and the state.
NAN reports that the late professor died on April 26, 2017 and his burial comes up on Saturday. (NAN)
ARIS/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada