Gbenga Daniel mourns Apagun Olumide as Osoba Describes His Death As Unfortunate

Saturday, 17 March 2012 18:27

On behalf of myself, and family, I wish to commiserate with you on the unfortunate demise of our friend and brother, Arc Wole Olumide, the Apagunpote of Egbaland which sad event took place on Friday, 16th March 2012.

In Apagun, I do believe that our State and our country have lost an Icon, and a major promoter of Tourism, entrepreneurship and economic development of our people and of Egbaland in particular. In fact I am tempted to rate Apagun as a modern day Lisabi or Sodeke when I consider some of his silent but very effective contribution to his immediate Envirronment.

As Governor, Apagun as he is fondly called encouraged us to do a lot of work in Abeokuta. Together we conceptualized the development of Olumo Rock as an International Tourist Centre that it has become today. Together, we conceptualized and developed the new Lalubu Road as our own 'Broad street' and commercial nerve centre in Abeokuta.

Together, we conceptualized the new Abeokuta Central Business District, which we christened the Abeokuta City Centre and he actually designed and supervised the new OPIC Plaza, the tallest building in Ogun State and second tallest in the old Western region,next only to the Cocoa House in Ibadan, within this future City Centre.

All these pall into insignificance when we evaluate his contribution to the development of Abeokuta Golf Course, the Waterfalls, Hotel, and Rather ironically the Artificial Lake where Apagun died yesterday. For Apagun the Golf project was his life probably in the last 2 decades or more, and through this project, he became the single biggest promoter of Tourism by the volume of high net worth individuals that visited the State while it lasted.

Nationally, Apagun designed the National Ecumenical Centre, i e the best Christian Worship Centre in Abuja. On occasions like this all we can do is pray that God in his infinite mercies will give the family the grace and fortitude to bear this great loss. Adieu, Apagun. Rest in perfect peace.

Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel FNSE, FNAEng.,
Immediate Past Gov., Ogun State."