Dr. Onaolapo Soleye, a scholar and former Finance Minister, has died on Wednesday at the age of 90.
The erstwhile University of Ibadan don marked his 90th birthday on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Theliberationnews gathered that Soleye, a very close buddy of former President Olusegun Obasanjo died in the early hours of Wednesday at a specialist hospital within the Ibara GRA, Abeokuta.
The Soleye family in a statement announcing his death states: “With heavy hearts but with gratitude to God Almighty for a long, impactful and positively eventful life, the family announces the passing of Pa Dr Onaolapo Soleye, the father of our late brother, Maj Gen OO Soleye (rtd). He turned ninety years old only last Saturday.
“Papa served the country and humanity in various capacities rising to the position of an Associate Professor in the University of Ibadan, Commissioner for Works in Ogun State and Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria amongst others.
“He was a true lover of God and humanity and this translated into his unwavering commitment to church activities as well as ready support and assistance to all who came across him, in any way that he could.
“The loss of Dr Soleye is surely not that of the Soleye family alone. It’s our father that has just passed and we must all prepare to be part of his rites of passage.
“Burial details will be announced by the family in due course. Until then, please pray for the repose of Papa’s soul and God’s comfort upon his family and other loved ones.
“May the soul of Dr Onaolapo Soleye rest in peace. Amen”
Dr Soleye is survived by his wife, Mrs. Modupe Womiloju Soleye, and four children – Olamide Soleye, Abimbola Fadimu, Oluwafunmilakin Soleye and Eyitayo Soleye – grandchildren and great-grandchild.
He lost his first son, Major General Lola Soleye, earlier this year.
The former varsity don was a commissioner in the Old Western Region and a commissioner holding different portfolios such as Lands, trade, industry and commerce after the creation of Ogun State.
He was also Minister of Finance during the regime of General Muhammadu Buhari in the 1980s.
Meanwhile, the high-performing immediate past High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR has visited the family of the late minister in Abeokuta where he sympathised with them over the demise of their patriarch.
In the condolence register, Ambassador Isola wrote: “Dr. Onaolapo Soleye – Rest In Peace. It is with heartfelt sympathy that I received the passing away of one of the founding fathers of Ogun State – Dr Onaolapo Soleye. He was the first Commissioner for Lands in Ogun State and later became the Minister of Finance for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. An erudite scholar, a practising Christian, a humble leader, a compassionate elder, a patriotic Nigerian, an incorruptible public servant, a family man, a devoted husband, and most importantly a Godly man. I will personally miss his wise counsel, his thoughts on nation-building, and his fountain of knowledge. Adieu Dr. Ona Soleye – a great icon.”
