In an emotion laden expression, Senator Yunus Akintunde mourns the demise of Prince Ajibola Afonja the Chairman of Integrated Dimensional Systems IDS who died early hours of Sunday 19th May 2024.
In a release made available to the Media by Kunle Olatunji the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Senator Akintunde, he expressed shock about the sudden passage of Prince Ajibola though at an advanced age of 82, after a brief illness at the University Teaching hospital UCH Ibadan.
“I have lost a father, mentor and role model with this incidence and I will greatly miss him. I had discussions with him just a few days back with plans to meet soon and our discussions always centred about Oyo town, Oyo State and Nigeria of course in that order as he was unpretentious about his love for Oyo town”
“His immense contributions to humanity in general and to us his kinsmen from Oyo town is legendary.
“He was a philanthropist per excellence and his IDS and several other business enterprises provided tremendous opportunities for several youths through employment while creating integrations and stimulus for other business investments in Oyo town”.
“Prince Ajibola had served within the corporate sector and later was appointed as the Chairman of First Bank Plc where he served meritoriously and was a pride and beacon of hope for Oyo people. We all looked up to him as a role model and mentor in our growing up years and he was always available to encourage vibrant and focused individuals.”
“At the time when he also served as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prince Ajibola Afonja was noted for his integrity, visionary approach to issues of national economic growth and development, with Oyo town and people benefitting immensely from his kind and benevolent nature and disposition.
“For me, his demise is a personal loss, quite painful, and I with his family, friends and associates, the good people of Oyo town can only take solace in Allah as well as the great legacies he left behind”.
“I am proud of him, and have a personal relationship with him while he was firmly committed in his support towards my political engagements and ambition, I’m glad that during his lifetime he witnessed my emergence as the Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District even when he had attempted and contested for same office years back. His kind of person are rare with uncommon humility in greatness which is one great virtue among others that endeared him to many people who have attested to his greatness while alive and now that he has passed away”.
“Prince Ajibola Afonja was a loveable, amiable, kindhearted and generous illustrious Oyo son, a professional Banker and financial expert, business mogul and philanthropist will be sorely missed by all of us”.
“The good people of Oyo town, Oyo State, Nigeria and indeed Africa really lost a great gem with his passage. May his gentle soul rest on and I pray that Allah grant him Aljannah Fridaus.” He said in the statement.
