By Correspondent in Ilorin.
Chief Jide Adebayo, Eesa of Omu Aran in Kwara State is dead.
The President of Omu-Aran Development Association, Maj.-Gen. Olayemi Lasisi Abidoye (rtd), confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen by the Spokesman of the association, Olayinka Owolewa in Omuaran on Friday
Gen Abidoye disclosed that Chief Adebayo died at a Lagos hospital on Thursday at the age of 66.
The General described the deceased as a fine journalist and a community leader per excellence, who would be greatly missed.
“Chief Eesa was a promoter of peace and unbiased community leader.
“He was an epitome of a good leader, a honest and God fearing fellow” Abidoye said.
He recalled that Chief Adebayo was a former Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Kwara State (1999) and was an international Journalist of repute.
He had his elementary education at the SIM/ECWA Primary School, Agamo, Omu-Aran from 1960 to 1968.
His Secondary Education was at Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran (1969 to 1973).
He had International Diploma of the International Organisation of Journalism (ION) Julius Fucik School,Prague, Czech Republic (1987) and Masters degree in
International Journalism (MAIJ) at the University of Cardiff, United Kingdom (UK) in 2004.
Chief Adebayo was a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and one time Executive Director, Marketing of the agency.
He holds the News Reporting Course certificate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos (1978), University of Lagos, Unilag’s Diploma in Mass Communication (1979).
Chief Adebayo, began his journalism
career in the, The Herald Newspapers in Ilorin in 1974. He served the organisation as a Proof Reader, Reporter, Senior Reporter and City Editor in Ilorin, Kaduna and Akure till Aug. 1980, when he joined the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as a Correspondent.
He was a one-time Secretary-General, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State (1981 –1983) and Chairman NUJ, Niger State (1985 -1987).
Chief Adebayo had received
honorary chieftaincy titles of Otun Gbobaniyi of Omu-Aran (2003), Otunba Gbadero of Olla Land (2011) and Maiyegun of Ogidi Ijumu, Kogi State (2014).
He was a two-term President of the Omu-Aran Social Club in the 80s, Eesa Adebayo had also served as Secretary-General and Director of Socials and Publicity of the Club.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Ifedun (nee Adeleye) and blessed with children and grand children.
