Ogbeni Lanre Banjo Mourns Late DAWN DG, Dipo Famakinwa

In a statement released on Thursday, Banjo extolled the sterling qualities of the deceased which he described as “a pilot. constant and calculating Nigerian”.

According to him, “He was a man with fixated conviction in hard work.  Dipo was a gregarious character, who cannot be tangled with easily.”

While urging that Dipo should be immortalised by the country through an availability of good and state of the art medical facilities and well-trained medical personnel for Nigerians, he extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate and the extended families of the deceased, and pray that God would grant his soul eternal rest even as he grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

The full statement:

“My appointment by His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun State to represent my state in the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) brought me in contact with late Mr. Dipo Famakinwa.

“Prior to our first meeting, I sought and obtained the relevant documents on the objectives of DAWN.  One of the several books that I was given was “DAWN Framework and a snapshot of its Strategy Roadmap.” The roadmap encapsulated the dream I have nursed for years while seeking public office:  to take south-western Nigeria to a higher level.

“My first meeting with the staff of DAWN led by late Dipo Famakinwa convinced me that Nigeria is truly endowed with human resources, and DAWN Commission is placed under a serious pilot. The pilot, Dipo, had a clear vision and keen sense of mission. The clear foresight and attempts to accomplish the mission would have been apparent in the region, if DAWN has been well funded by the stake-holders.

“When the work commenced, I saw Dipo as a constant and calculating Nigerian. He was a brilliant intellect by every established touchtone His personal devotion to duty and loyalty to the course of Nigerians combined to make him a great mast of strength.

“He was a man with fixated conviction in hard work.  Dipo was a gregarious character, who cannot be tangled with easily. My brother was an insoluble puzzle to the detractors of Yoruba cause.  He will surely be missed. His avoidable death was an indictment of the state of our nation’s health care sector, which needs urgent attention.

“To fellow Nigerians, to immortalize Dipo is to demand availability of good and state of the art medical facilities and well-trained medical personnel for our people. The Yoruba race has lost a leader. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the immediate and the extended families of the deceased, and pray that God would grant his soul eternal rest even as he grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.