By Folayimika Akanbi
Condolence messages have continued to pour in torrent following the death of an octogenarian lawyer and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Kunle Sulyman.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu; Senator Saliu Mustapha representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly and the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) expressed grief over the passing of the politician in separate condolence messages.
The remains of the APC chieftain were buried in Ilorin in line with Islamic injunctions after a janaaza held at his family quarters of Fagba, behind the Palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
AbdulRazaq, in his condolence message, described the deceased as a politician, an outstanding statesman and a political institution who enjoyed the confidence of people across societal strata.
In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor said the octogenarian will be sorely missed for his warmth, political maturity, and contributions to the development of politics in the state.
The Governor said he was shocked and saddened over the passing of prominent politician.
He prayed to Allah to admit Sulyman to al-jannah Firdaus and uphold his family upon goodness.
Similarly, the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, described Lawyer Kunle Sulyman as an elder statesman, patriot, detribalized, and progressive Nigerian, who lived his life serving God and humanity.
”The passing of our father, an elder statesman, Lawyer Kunle Sulyman, has dealt us a great blow; a void difficult to fill has been created! For over four decades, Lawyer Kunle played prominent and significant roles as a social justice advocate, shaping Kwara’s political landscape and working closely with various stakeholders to promote unity, equality, peace, and development in the state; he would be sorely missed,” he said.
The Speaker, in a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Sheu Abdulkadir, commiserated with Governor AbdulRazaq on the passing of one of the foremost supporters of his administration, the Emir of Ilorin, the Lawyer Kunle family, and the entire Ilorin Emirate community, praying to Allah to forgive his shortcomings.
Senator Saliu Mustapha, in his condolence message, described Lawyer Kunle Sulyman as an elder statesman with greater commitment to the progress of Kwara.
The legislator, who said the passing of the octogenarian was saddening, noted that he had lost a confidant and mentor.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. I’ve just lost an uncle, a confidant and great mentor, Barrister Kunle Sulyman. I am deeply saddened to hear about his demise.
“Uncle Kunle Sulyman was the Chairman of our great party, APC Elders Caucus and father of the state’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General. He was an elder statesman with great commitment to the progress of Kwara and its people.
“My condolences go to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, CON, Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari CFR, immediate family of the deceased, the people of Faagba community, friends, and associates of the deceased and the entire people of Kwara State.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. Amin,” he said.
Also, the state council of NUJ expressed sorrow over the death of octogenarian legal practitioner and elder statesman, Barrister Kunle Atanda Sulyman.
It identified the deceased as a media delight during his lifetime.
The Council Chairman, Ahmed ‘Lanre Abdullateef, and the Secretary, Mahmood Olayinka Alaya, in a statement, described the passing of Sulyman, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as shocking and a colossal loss to the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State at large.
The union noted that the late octogenarian was widely respected for his contributions to the legal profession, politics and community development, adding that he maintained a cordial relationship with the media throughout his earthly journey.
According to the statement, the deceased was also a friend of journalists and a News commentaries writer on issues of public interest on Radio Kwara, where he contributed to public discourse and governance through insightful commentaries.
While sympathising with the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the ruling APC over the death of the Chairman of the party’s Elders Caucus in the state, the NUJ particularly condoled with the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, as well as Mallam Lanre Sulyman, of Radio Nigeria, Harmony FM on the passing of their father.
The union also extended its condolences to the people of Fagba, the Ilorin Emirate and the entire people of Kwara State over the demise of the APC stalwart.
The statement prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased and grant him Al-janatul Firdaus.
Sulyman died on Thursday at the age of 81 after a brief illness and his remains had since been buried in line with Islamic injunctions.
Visited 8 times, 1 visit(s) today
