The education of the children of the deceased Director of Finance and Administration in the governor’s office, Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi, has been approved by Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
The governor also ordered that the deceased director’s gratuity be paid immediately in order to lessen the impact of his death on the family he left behind.
He has also directed the Ministry of Housing to provide the late Oyekanmi’s wife and children with one of the inexpensive homes developed by his administration.
Governor Abiodun stated this at Ibara Baptist Church yesterday at a funeral ceremony for the late Oyekanmi.
“I also promised when I came to see you, Mrs Oyekanmi, that we will not leave you; that we will stand by you. The Almighty God himself will be with you. But, we will stand by you, and with you. We will support you and your family.
“We cannot replace Taiwo, but we will do everything to cushion the effect of his departure.
“I have since signed up on some of that support immediately. So, this is not a promise that you have to come to us to request that we fulfill.
“The state will be taking over the responsibility of your children’s education. I have instructed the payment of your husband’s gratuity immediately.
“I also have instructed the Ministry of Housing to provide you with one of our affordable homes.
“I know you have a home of your own, but in my opinion, I thought perhaps, you may decide to commercialize that, so that will give you a sense of income to cushion the effect of your departed husband,” he said.
Governor Abiodun also called on the family of the deceased to support the wife and the children he left behind, adding that all the supports to be given to her are for her exclusively.
“Now, I will plead with the members of the family. I know how our tradition works. Please, bear with this woman. Yes, Taiwo is your brother, nephew, cousin, but Taiwo is this woman’s husband, she has lost her husband, the children have lost their father.
“All these supports that are due to be given to her are for her exclusively. The Head of Service is under my instruction to ensure that he provides the necessary oversight to ensure that she enjoys this support exclusively, and I want to thank you for your understanding,” he disclosed.
Abiodun reiterated his promise that his administration would do all within its power to bring the perpetrators of the crime to book.
He said that it was in line with that promise that a reward of N50 million was announced for anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for the crime.
Governor Abiodun described Oyekanmi as humble, diligent, dedicated, and extremely hardworking, adding that he was very reliable and dependable.
Responding on behalf of the family, Mr. Lanre Oyekanmi, who described the death of their brother as a loss not only to the family, but also to the whole Ifoyintedo community, said the family would support the wife and children of their brother.