Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, former Kwara Governor and Minister, has passed away. He passed away after a brief illness

News that Cornelius Adebayo passes away reverberated across Nigeria this week. Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, former Governor of Kwara State and one time Minister of Communications, passed away on Tuesday morning following a brief illness.

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A family source, who requested anonymity pending an official statement, confirmed the sad news to Channels Television via telephone.

Born on February 24, 1941, in Igbaja, now part of the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Adebayo had a distinguished academic and political career.

He attended All Saints Anglican School in Oke Onigbin and Provincial Secondary School in Ilorin before continuing his education at Barewa College, Zaria, from 1962 to 1963.

His academic pursuits led him to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied from 1964 to 1967, and subsequently to the University of Ghana, Legon, between 1967 and 1969.

In 1969, he began a lecturing career at the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University. By 1973, he became Head of the English Department at the Kwara State College of Technology.

He had a distinguished academic and political career.

Adebayo transitioned into public service, serving as Commissioner for Education in Kwara State from 1975 to 1978.

He later held the position of Commissioner for Information and Economic Development within the same period.

His political ascent continued in 1979 when he was elected Senator under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). A significant highlight of his career was becoming Governor of Kwara State in 1983.

However, his tenure was abruptly cut short by the military coup of December 31, 1983, led by then Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

Following the return to civilian rule, Adebayo was appointed Minister of Communications in 1999 under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

In this role, he made significant contributions to key reforms within the telecoms sector.

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Funeral arrangements for the respected elder statesman are yet to be announced by the family.