Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has mourned Pa Olajide Olabode, who once drove the late sage and first Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The Ado-Ekiti-born Pa Olabode died on Friday, August 20, 2021 at the age of 89.
Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said Pa Olabode’s demise was painful even though he had lived a long, fulfilling and inspiring life.
The governor, who noted that the late Olabode’s life is an inspiring story for many young people who have lost hope of actualizing their dreams, said the deceased had the resilient spirit of excellence which Ekiti people are known for.
He added that though the deceased’s parents could not afford to send him to secondary school having finished Standard five, he was determined to be a successful man and found the right way to make his life count.
In the statement titled, ‘Fayemi Mourns Death Of Olabode, Awolowo’s Famous Driver’, the Governor stressed that Olabode’s story was a fulfillment of the holy writ that “the gift of a man will pave way for him and will make him stand before great men,” adding that the deceased had the opportunity of ‘riding with presidents’ and great leaders which he ordinarily would not have been able to do if had chosen another route to actualise his dream.
The Governor said the late Olabode would continue to be celebrated as an icon of resilience, excellence and hard work as well as a source of inspiration for everyone who is confronted with challenges at the point of actualizing their dreams.
He prayed God to give the deceased’s family the fortitude to bear the loss.
“Pa Olabode’s death is a great loss to us in Ekiti State. He was a perfect example of the resilient spirit that Ekiti people have whenever they intend to achieve great tasks. He defied his family background and chose the hard way to become a great man like his contemporaries.
“He was a driver who earned the trust of his bosses. His integrity must have endeared him to Chief J.E. Babatola who introduced him to Chief Awolowo and ended up driving African presidents such as Kwame Nkrumah, Sylvanus Olympio, Julius Nyerere and the great Zik among others.
