Saturday December 6, 2025
www.thenewsdesk.ng
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio led an array of top political and business figures to the funeral service of the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo, held on Friday , December 5, in Lagos, the NATION reported.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and his wife, Toyin, as well as former governors James Ibori (Delta), Adeniyi Adebayo (Ekiti) and Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), were also in attendance. Other notable guests included former and serving public officials, captains of industry and members of the diplomatic and traditional institutions.
The service took place at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, and was officiated by the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria, The Rt. Revd Ifedola Okupevi. The late Awolowo was a grandson of the late sage and former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, President Tinubu paid glowing tribute to the late Awolowo, describing him as a committed public servant whose contributions strengthened national institutions.
He said: “Segun served Nigeria with an exceptional passion and unending dedication. From his earliest days as a Special Assistant to the President, through his distinguished tenure as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, he pursued his objectives with discipline and purpose and achieved real success for our country.
“His latter service as Secretary of the National Committee for the African Continental Free Trade Area underscored his belief in a future for Nigeria and Africa built on trade, collaboration and shared prosperity. He was a family man, a kind and gentle man who spoke to people’s hearts just as well as he did to their minds.”
President Tinubu prayed for comfort for the widow, children, friends and family members of the deceased, especially his mother, Abba Folawiyo, saying God would grant them the grace “to remember Segun as he was, a good man who lived well.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his tribute, described Awolowo as a man of uncommon dedication and quiet strength.
He said: “He worked with quiet dignity and unwavering conviction and had an uncommon devotion and dedication to the Nigerian dream. We gather to honour our father, brother, grandfather, friend and a true Nigerian.
“Mr Olusegun Omotunde Kofi Awolowo Jr, a son of legacy, a servant of our nation, a pillar of his generation and indeed a man of deep humility. Our friend and brother, Olusegun, was not just a public figure. He was a bridge between history and the future, between ideal and action, and between his illustrious lineage and the ordinary people that he truly cared for.
“We grew up knowing the real Awolowo family, of which our friend and brother stood tall. But if you also recall in that lineage, Segun Awolowo was not just outstanding; he was indeed a true icon coming from that name.”
Sanwo-Olu commiserated with Awolowo’s widow, Adebola, his children and wider family, as well as friends and associates, noting that the late NEPC boss died on November 20 at the age of 62.
In his sermon, the Vicar of Our Saviour’s Church and Archdeacon of Ikoyi Archdeaconry, The Ven. Folorunso Agbelusi, described the deceased as a great man who upheld and sustained the Awolowo name with honour.
