Ogun APC Eulogises Late Ogunpola, Coker Sterling Attributes, Achievements

By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA

All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogun State Chapter has eulogised the sterling attributes and remarkable services of late Professor Akin Ogunpola and Chief David Adeyemi Coker, both Commissioners in the Second Republic administration of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo as worthy of veneration in the state.

The party narrated this while paying its glowing tributes to the two iconic politicians who departed to the great beyond same day on June 15, 2020 after living fulfilled lives.

The Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Derin Adebiyi, in a statement personally signed and made available to Daily Dispatch noted that Professor Ogunpola served as Commissioner of Education, while Chief Coker was the Commissioner of Commerce and Industries from 1979 to 1983, and that they both performed excellently.

“Both commissioners were worthy of veneration for their sterling attributes and remarkable services to our dear state.

“Professor Ogunpola was a political organiser and grassroots mobiliser whose contributions to team work and excellence in politics can not be wished away. A great educationist and selfless servant.

“Professor Ogunpola will be remembered for leading the team for the successful execution of the administration’s free primary education policy, a cardinal programme of the then Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, during which high quality primary and secondary schools were established.

“He was in the saddle as Commissioner for Education during the establishment of Ogun State University (now Bisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye). His contribution was acknowledged years later by the Amosun-led administration in 2016 which immortalised and named a Unity School in Ewekoro local government after his person.

“On the other hand, Chief Coker was equally hard working and amiable. It was during his time as Commissioner for Commerce and Industries that Ogun State witnessed appreciable growth in development of industrial estates, especially in Ota and Agbara axis.

“He was a successful private sector person before being called upon to serve the state and was greatly loved by his people in Ilaro.

“Ogun APC hereby commiserated with family members of the deceased, praying God to give them the fortitude to bear the great losses. The party also prayed that the souls of Professor Ogunpola and Chief Coker rest in perfect peace,” he said.