Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described his late Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS), Mr. Gboyega Olumade Soyannwo, as the rallying point, extolling the deceased’s commitment and his dedication to any cause to which he had conviction.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, led members of the State Executive Council (SEC), members of the State’s legislature and the judiciary to the Night of Tribute held at Alausa Sports Ground, as part of the funeral programmes organised for the deceased.
Soyannwo, 55, who breathed his last on May 15, after a brief illness, is survived by wife and two children.
The event, which equally witnessed the presence of colleagues, friends and relatives, recorded the sharing of memories of their moments and encounters with him while alive, which they poured out in torrents.
The governor described Soyannwo’s death as a personal loss to him, recalling that he and the deceased had been together for 20 years, and both had their stints in the banking sector, before moving to government together.
Sanwo-Olu further recalled that the late Soyannwo was the first staff in his team immediately he declared his intention to run for the governorship seat, noting that the deceased showed up in his house 24 hours after with a well-thought-out strategy to go about party primaries.
“From the moment I was sworn in till today, Gboyega had made me a better manager than I was. He helped me to be a better Governor. He managed my daily itinerary and understood what the job entails.
“For once in the last five years when I appointed him as my Deputy Chief of Staff, I never had the cause to raise my voice at him because he fully understood the dynamics and tedious tasks of his office. He was the rallying point of my office.
“Gboyega made indelible impacts in the lives of each and every one of us. In the classes of the past and current cabinet, we have just lost our strongest confidant and a true bridge builder. Gboyega would call me 33 times in 25 minutes and each call would be quick to get my final approval for tasks listed in my itinerary.
“I’ve lost a great friend, brother and cherished colleague. Lagos has lost one of its finest public servants. I will forever be thankful to God for making our paths cross,” the governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu further described the late Soyannwo as “fiercely loyal” who never coloured his official duties with friendship throughout his career, saying that smooth organisation was not only the late Soyannwo’s main skill which stood him out as a professional banker.
“Give him a very difficult spreadsheet to analyse or transactions that anyone has no idea to unravel, Gboyega would resolve it in a simplified way. That’s how he started in banking industry,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“I certainly will not be here to mourn Gboyega’s death but to celebrate his life and legacy left behind in service of our great country.
“He has done more than anyone can expect of a 55-year-old. He showed us there is a reward for hard work. Gboyega taught all of us how to live well and make a lasting impact on humanity,” he added.
Dr Hamzat, in his remark, recalled his first meeting with the late Soyannwo in 2018 ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primaries, pointing out that the deceased was a man who was careful with promises.
The Deputy Governor said the late DCoS never used any word carelessly, noting that his words were his bond.
“Any agreement reached with DCoS is cast in stone, he would never shift ground on agreed terms,” the deputy governor said.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, who broke down in tears, as she made a moving tribute on behalf of the Executive Council members, described the late Soyannwo’s death as a “painful loss.”
She said the late DCoS was the revolving door and a team player of the Sanwo-Olu administration who interfaced with all ranks and streamlined the governance process for the smooth flow of government’s programmes, saying that the State Exco would miss his intellectual contribution, his camaraderie and sense of humour.
“DCoS was a team player for the good of our principal. His ability to inspire and galvanise others for result-oriented actions was unparalleled. He left an indelible mark on our administration and the state.
“The Executive Council will miss his intellectual contribution, his camaraderie and his sense of humour. As we bid farewell to our departed brother, we take solace in the memories we shared together as one family,” the SSG said.
The Chief of Staff (CoS), Mr Tayo Ayinde, eulogised his deputy, noting that the late Soyannwo left at the time he had so much to offer to humanity, describing the deceased as a dedicated, meticulous and committed public servant who was equal.
“He was a dedicated, meticulous and committed public servant who was always passionate to serve the people. His loyalty was total and he never chickened out of agreed decisions,” Ayinde said.
Head of Service (HoS), Mr Olabode Agoro, who attended the same primary school with the deceased, recalled the late Soyannwo’s astuteness and problem-solving ability since their days as schoolchildren.
According to him, the late Soyannwo would not look out for himself alone, but also look out for others and take their wellbeing personally, describing him as a gifted and extraordinary problem solver.
“The late Gboyega would not look out for himself alone; he would look out for others and take their wellbeing personally. He was a gifted and extraordinary problem solver. If you share any problem with DCoS, he would properly analyse it for you as if he initiated the problem and he would proffer two solutions, not one,” Agoro said.
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