From Alfred Babs, Ilorin 

Former Military Administrator of Kwara state, Group Captain Salaudeen Adebola Latinwo (retd) is dead.

Latinwo reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday in the United Kingdom after battling with a protracted illness. He was aged 80 years.

Latinwo served as the Military Administrator of Kwara state between January 1984 and August 1985 during the regime of Major General Buhari/Idiagbon.

Born in Offa into the famous and mega rich Aliu Onaolapo Olatinwo family of Offa, in Offa local government of Kwara State in 1943, he was one of 43 children of 10 wives of his father, Aliu Olatinwo.

 Latinwo was part of the pioneer set of officer cadets recruited into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in 1963, under the first Chief of Air Staff of the Nigerian Airforce, Colonel Gerhard Kahtz, who was on secondment as head of the German Air Force Assistance Group (GAFAG).

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, his Chief press Secretary,  commiserated with the people of the state, especially Offa community, over the death of a former military administrator of the state, retired Group Captain Salaudeen Adebola Latinwo.

In a statement on Saturday, Governor AbdulRazaq called the death a sad occurrence and a big void in the crop of great statesmen whose well of wisdom and experience was invaluable. 

“On behalf of the AbdulRazaqs, the government and people of Kwara State, the Governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late military administrator, the Offa community, and the military establishment on this development,” according to a Government House statement.

“The Governor prays to Allaah to repose the soul of the former leader in Al-jannah and uphold his family and the community he left behind.”

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari described the demise of the former military governor of the state, as a great loss to the state and nation at large .

Sulu-Gambari, who said the tenure of the deceased coincided with his own installation as the Ciroma of Ilorin in 1984 by the late 9th Emir of Ilorin, Shehu Zulqarnaini Muhammadu Gambari further confirmed that late Salaudeen was a gallant Air Force officer ,who governed the state of harmony diligently. 

The Emir in a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, on Saturday  further described late Olatinwo as an advocate of War Against Indiscipline and Corruption, which was the hallmark of the Buhari/Idiagbon-led military government in the country. 

While commiserating with the family of the ex-military warlord, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari on behalf of the entire members of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council condoled with the entire people of the anciety city of Offa, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Muhammad Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II over the demise of the former Military Administrator of the state.

“This is an unfortunate incidence that have befell us in Kwara State. It is indeed great losses to the entire state, nation and humanity in general”, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari added.

He prayed God to grant thr deceased absolute forgiveness, accept his good deeds and admit him into Al-janatul firdaos.