22nd April, 2017
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has commiserated with the family of Mr Dipo Famakinwa, the Director General, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), who passed on Friday.
Fayemi in a condolence message signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, described Famakinwa’s death as a devastating blow not only to his family, the DAWN Commission, but to the entire Yoruba.
Fayemi said Famakinwa’s death was a colossal loss to the Southwest geo-political zone. He described the late Famakinwa as a first class Omoluabi with a first class brain and unassailable commitment to the socio-economic advancement of the region.
“Famakinwa’s death at his prime, is not only shocking and sad, it leaves many of us distraught and devastated”, Fayemi said, adding “For me, I lost a friend and brother. The region also lost an illustrious son, who was committed to its development till he breathed his last.”
Fayemi described the late Famakinwa as a highly refined gentleman, a diligent worker and champion of the regional integration efforts of the states in the old western region, where he had made a mark through his astuteness.
“He was a thorough-bred professional, a distinguished omoluabi and a seasoned administrator, who ran excellently with the vision of the DAWN Commission, within the period he held the forte as the Director General.
“Nigeria has indeed lost a star, a committed patriot who believed that the West and indeed the Nigerian nation could reclaim its socio-economic prosperity if the citizens would develop the right attitude to development and unite in their recovery and re-building effort.
“On behalf of my family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the immediate and the extended families of the late patriot, and pray that God would grant his soul eternal rest even as he grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.”, the statement added.