By Jennifer Amarachi
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has mourned the death of a former Secretary to the State Government, Michael Koleoso, who passed away at the age of 86.
Koleoso, who was the SSG during the late Governor Lamidi Adesina’s administration between 1999 and 2023, was said to have died in the early hours of Monday, September 2, 2024.
He was also the National Chairman of the defunct Alliance for Democracy.
Seyi Makinde, who described Koleosho’s death as ‘The end of a glorious era’ in his statement said:
“I was shocked and saddened to learn of Baba Michael Koleoso’s passing, the Babalaje of Saki. Oyo State and Nigeria have lost a great patriot and selfless leader, one of the last men standing in the batch of leaders who gave their all to make Nigeria a better place.
“Those who are familiar with me are aware of the unique relationship I had with Babalaje; I saw him as a father figure and held the highest respect for him since he was a brave and moral leader who stood up to authority. Our great state has been guided to greatness by his wisdom and guidance, and Babalaje loved our state to the end of his life.
“I express my condolences to the Koleoso family of Saki, his political family spread throughout the state and Nigeria, as well as the people of Saki and Oyo State. It is the end of a glorious era and we can only pray to God to grant repose to the soul of our Baba.”
Born on April 30, 1938, Koleoso attended Baptist Primary School in Ajegunle, Saki for his elementary education. He then went on to the renowned Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo, where he attended from 1957 to 1961.
Later, he went to the School of Hygiene, Eleyele, Ibadan, where he earned his Ordinary National Diploma in 1965.
Afterward, he went to the School of Hygiene, Ibadan, for his Advanced Certificate, which is today’s equivalent of an HND.
He spent years in the service before venturing into business. His first business venture was Esmak Nigeria Limited, which still exists today and specializes in commodity distribution, transportation, real estate, and hospitality. His entrepreneurial skills quickly became famous, as did his lifestyle of order, balance, discipline, and self-control.
Koleoso was elected unopposed as a Councilor in the Ifedapo Local Government Area of Old Oyo State in 1976. On the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria, led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he was elected to the Oyo State House of Assembly in 1979 as the representative of Ifedapo Constituency.
