Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of his Commissioner for Environment, Kehinde Ayoola, who passed away on Thursday morning.
In a statement issued yesterday in Ibadan by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the governor said he received with deep sadness, the news of the demise.
“I met the late Rt. Honourable Ayoola in 2002, when we worked together as members of the Fortune Group for the election of Sen. Rasheed Ladoja.
“He also served as the Director- General for my 2015 campaign and the Deputy Director-General for my 2019 campaign.
“He was a loyal friend with a dedication to duty that cannot be questioned.
“He will be surely missed for his great oratory skills and his love for the people of Oyo town and the state in general.
“May his soul rest in peace,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
The governor recalled that Ayoola two weeks ago drove himself to Frontida Critical Care Hospital, Iyaganku, Ibadan, for medical checks after which he was advised to proceed on bed rest.
Ayoola served as the Speaker of the 4th Session of the Oyo State House of Assembly under the Lam Adesina administration.
He was born in Oyo town in January 1965 and attended St. Michael’s Primary School, Oke Ebo, Oyo, Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo and the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife, in Osun State.

The commissioner’s wife, Prof. Olukemi Ayoola, has refuted claims by some people that her husband might have died of Coronavirus infection.
Hosting sympathisers who thronged their Ibadan home yesterday, Prof. Ayoola condemned suggestions that her husband might have died of Coronavirus infection.
She said that he died of heart-related diseases arising from insufficient rest.