Buhari’s assistant on economic matter dies at 44

Ayodele Adu, senior special assistant to the president on economic matters, has died at the age of 44.

The deceased passed on after a brief illness.

Responding to the tragic news, Kayode Fayemi, minister of solid minerals, who hails from the same state with him, described it as a great loss.

Fayemi said he was shocked and saddened, saying the Ekiti state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had recorded a major loss.

“He was a distinguished Nigerian, an honourable Ekiti man who through dint of hard work and determination worked his way to the top of his professional calling and left marks of excellence on every assignment he undertook,” the minister said in a statement signed on his behalf by Olayinka Oyebode, his spokesman.

“He was a man of courage, character and conviction, who had a great passion for the Ekiti Project. It is indeed a painful loss. We shall surely miss him.

“May God grant him eternal rest and give his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Laolu Akande, spokesman of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo issued a statement on the incident on Saturday.

“With heavy hearts, we regret to announce the untimely passage of the senior special assistant to the president on economic matters, Mr. Ayoleke O. Adu. He was aged 44,” the statement read.

“Adu, a diligent economic professional and Certified Financial Analyst, CFA, passed on last week Saturday after a period of illness.

“Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on behalf of the President and himself condoles with his wife, children, mother and the entire family. He prays that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

“Before he joined the Buhari presidency last year, Adu was the chief executive officer of Morgan Capital Securities Ltd, a leading investment firm with headquarters in Lagos.

“As a member of the president’s economic management team and a presidential aide deployed to the office of the Vice-resident, Adu would be remembered as a patriotic, forthright, creative and astute professional. He will indeed be sorely missed.

“Burial arrangements will be announced later.”