Abiodun pays tribute to late APC South-West women leader, hails loyalty, grassroots leadership

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late South‑West Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Shakirat Adesanya. He praised her loyalty, grassroots mobilization skills, and lifelong dedication to public service and progressive politics.

The remarks were made on Thursday during a Day of Songs and Tributes held at the Cinema Hall of the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta.

Governor Abiodun highlighted Chief Adesanya’s passion for advancing women’s rights and strengthening the APC. He noted that her unwavering loyalty was matched by humility, self‑lessness, and a deep commitment to public service.

He said her relentless grassroots engagement inspired many women to actively participate in the democratic process and helped solidify the party’s structure across the South‑West.

“Chief Adesanya possessed remarkable strength of character, uncommon humility, and an enduring passion for public service,” the governor said. “She was a compassionate leader who believed in uplifting others, offering guidance, encouragement, and support to those around her.”

Abiodun added that her passing is a painful loss not only for her family but also for Ogun State, the APC, the South‑West region, and the numerous communities she served over decades of self‑less leadership.

The governor noted that Chief Adesanya’s exceptional ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and mobilize grassroots support distinguished her as one of the party’s most effective leaders.

“Through her strategic engagement, persuasive advocacy, and genuine concern for the welfare of others, she contributed significantly to the growth and strengthening of the APC in Ogun State and across the South‑West,” he said.

He observed that her death has created a significant vacuum within the party’s women‑leadership structure at a time when her experience, counsel, and mobilization capacity were invaluable.

Abiodun stressed that her legacy of service, loyalty, and commitment will continue to inspire party members, women leaders, and younger generations seeking to make meaningful contributions to society.

Speaking on behalf of APC National Chairman Hon. Tolu Bankole, the governor described Chief Adesanya as “an institution and a movement,” noting her integrity, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the party.

Bankole added that she remained a strong advocate for women and girls while contributing immensely to the APC’s growth and stability.

Representing the National Women Leader of the APC and South‑West APC Ex‑Officio, Mrs. Bunmi Orileowo, the governor described the deceased as a self‑less and hardworking party stalwart whose contributions were pivotal to the party’s successes across the region.

Also speaking, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, said Chief Adesanya was a dependable friend of the legislature who gave her all to every cause she believed in.

The Ogun State Chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi, represented by the party’s Deputy Chairman Chief James Dina, described her as “the voice that spoke when others were silent and the hand that lifted others when they were weary,” adding that women across the South‑West found strength, direction, and purpose under her leadership.

In a sermon titled “Remember You Have a Short Time,” Pastor Abolaji Olufemi of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church reminded the congregation of life’s brevity and the importance of fulfilling God’s purpose.

The cleric urged people to make meaningful impacts with the gifts and opportunities entrusted to them by God, stressing that only those who surrender their lives to God can fully accomplish their divine assignments.

Reflecting on the late leader’s life, Pastor Olufemi described Chief Adesanya as an exemplary, trustworthy, and empathetic leader who was committed to mentoring younger generations and helping them grow into responsible and productive members of society.

The event drew party leaders, government officials, women groups, family members, friends, and admirers who gathered to celebrate the life, service, and enduring legacy of the late APC South‑West Women Leader.