A distinguished crowd of political heavyweights and national figures converged on Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Friday to honour the life of Segun Awolowo, grandson of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
Family members, close friends, associates and an impressive roster of dignitaries were present at the solemn service.
Those in attendance included former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his wife, Toyin; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
According to Vanguard, President Bola Tinubu was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who delivered an emotional tribute highlighting Segun Awolowo’s lifelong devotion to national development.
Gbajabiamila quoted the President as saying, “Segun served Nigeria with an exceptional passion and unending dedication. From his earliest days as a Special Assistant to the President, through his distinguished tenure as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, he pursued his objectives with discipline and purpose, achieving real success for our country.
“His latter service as Secretary of the National Committee for the African Continental Free Trade Area underscored his belief in a future for Nigeria and Africa built on trade, collaboration and shared prosperity.
“He was a family man, a kind and gentle man who spoke to people’s hearts just as well as he did to their minds.”
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Governor Sanwo-Olu, who also shared moments from the service on X, praised Awolowo for upholding the integrity of his family legacy while carving out his own impactful journey. “He served Nigeria with quiet strength, steady conviction and a rare commitment to the ideals he held dear. My thoughts are with his wife, Adebola, his children and the entire Awolowo family,” he wrote.
In a separate tribute, Bukola Saraki described the late Awolowo as the “very definition of a good man,” adding, “His character was impeccable, and his influence was profound. Though we mourn his passing, we take comfort in knowing he lived a life of purpose and service. He will be dearly missed.”
Also present at the ceremony were former Governors James Ibori, Adeniyi Adebayo, and Gbenga Daniel, alongside members of the clergy, traditional leaders, business executives, and other notable Nigerians who came to pay their last respects.
The Awolowo family had announced Segun’s passing on November 20 at the age of 62.
