Kwara industrialist and educationist, Adesoye dies at 79 | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
4th December 2017
Renowned industrialist and educationist in Kwara state, Chief Emmanuel Adesoye is dead.
The late industrialist, 79, was said to have died early Sunday at his Offa, Offa local government area of Kwara state country home.
It was gathered that the deceased had been managing an ailment for some time before his eventual death.
The Offa community leader who was described as the first quantity surveyor in the old northern Nigeria contributed immensely to the economic development of Kwara state as a pioneer industrialist in the state.
He floated, in Offa, manufacturing industries that produced Okin Biscuit and Okin Foam popularly patronised in the state and beyond before the industries went under.
The industrialist also acquired, from Kwara state government, Kwara Breweries in Ijagbo town near Offa.
The Breweries brewed Noble beer and he repackaged the product to sustain its patronage.
Adesoye was the proprietor of the famous Adesoye College, Offa, a college which is one of the pioneer international secondary schools in Nigeria.
He was a former national president of Offa Descendant Union (ODU) and the Asiwaju of Offa town.
He was honoured with the chieftaincy title after the demise of Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin, a renowned politician of the first and second republics who held the title until his death.
Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his predecessor and Senate President, Bukola Saraki have mourned the late industrialist and educationist.
Governor Ahmed, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, said the state lost an industrialist, philanthropist and administrator plenipotentiary.
The statement reads: “The late Adesoye contributed immensely to the industrial development of the state and Nigeria. As the first northern Nigerian student to qualify as a Quantity Surveyor, and the second Nigerian to attain that height, Chief Adesoye would be missed for his boldness, intelligence and charisma, which endeared him, not only to the people of Offa, but to everyone that crossed his path.
“May his soul, and those before him, find rest and may God grant his families and friends the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Senate President Bukola Saraki has also expressed grief.
Saraki, in a statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said: “Chief Adesoye was one leader, whose lifestyle of simplicity, compassion and hard work will remain unmatched. Adesoye College, which he established, is a living testimony of his passion to free humanity from the clutches of ignorance.
“Besides, through his confectionery industry, the popular Okin Biscuits, he fed the hungry and ensured that thousands of Nigerians were employed, either as direct workers in the company, wholesalers or retailers of his product. His visionary leadership and initiative in lifting humanity are worthy of emulation.”
Saraki prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and his loved ones the grace to bear the loss.
Adesoye, the Asiwaju of Offa died in the early hours of yesterday at his Offa home.
He was said to have been managing an undisclosed ailment for some time.
The deceased was the manufacturer of Okin Biscuit and Okin Foam.
He also acquired Kwara Breweries in Ijagbo from the state.
Adesoye was proprietor of Adesoye College, Offa, a pioneer international secondary school in Nigeria.