Ekiti Mourns As Former Administrator, Gen Adetunji Olurin Dies

By Akinwale Kasali and  Ayodele Oni

A former Commander, ECOWAS Monitoring Group, (ECOMOG), General Adetunji Idowu Olurin Is Dead. Olurin reportedly died in LUTH on Saturday morning.

He was aged 76.

General Olurin, of the popular Olurin family in Ilaro Yewa, served Nigeria and ECOWAS in many capacities among which are ECOMOG Commander, Military Administrator of Oyo State, Civilian Administrator of Ekiti State and Chancellor of Nigeria’s first University of Education, TASUED.

Olurin was the Commander, 1st Mechanized Brigade, Minna, GOC, 3rd Armoured Division, Jos.

He has also lectured on peacekeeping at the International Peace Academy, the National War College, and United Nations seminars in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal.

Olurin was a recipient of many honours including the United Nations Peace Medal and the Knight Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption (KCHOAR), Liberia’s highest national honour award. He is an honorary paramount chief of the Republic of Liberia.

In a tribute, the Governor of Ekiti State,  Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed his condolences on the death of former Administrator of the State.

Gen. Olurin, served as Sole Administrator of Ekiti State for six months between October 19, 2006 and April 27, 2007 during the state of emergency imposed by the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration in the wake of political crisis that engulfed the state at the time.

Governor Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described Gen. Olurin’s death as a great loss to Nigeria, Ogun State, his home state and Ekiti, which he helped stabilised during the six-month emergency rule.

He described the late General as a selfless statesman, courageous soldier and an altruistic patriot who served his country diligently while in active service and during his retirement.

The Governor pointed out that the deceased discharged his duties as the Sole Administrator of Ekiti State with a great measure of fairness and firmness  and left some legacies he would be remembered for in the annals of history of the Land of Honour.

Dr. Fayemi said although the late Gen. Olurin was a soldier, he was a man of the people who was very much concerned about their welfare and ever ready to solve problems brought to his attention.

The Governor noted that Gen. Olurin brought his humane nature and professionalism to bear during his tenure as the Military Governor of the old Oyo State and while on peace- keeping assignment as the Field Commander of ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia.

According to him, the history of how a lasting peace was achieved in the then war- torn Liberia would not be complete without a worthy mention and glowing chapters written on the sterling contributions of the late General Olurin.

He expressed sadness that Gen. Olurin’s demise came just few weeks after the death of a distinguished daughter of Ekiti, Mrs. Abike Sonoiki, who served during the emergency rule as  Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

The Governor prayed God to grant the family and associates of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss, urging them to be consoled by the legacies of service, selflessness and excellence he left behind.

“On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the immediate family and associates of our amiable General Olurin. Our prayer is that God will grant the deceased eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.” the Governor said.