Princess Adenrele Oyebo Oyetokunbo Adeniran-Ogunsanya, daughter of late Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, a prominent Lagos lawyer and frontline politician in the First Republic and a close associate of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, is dead.
She died early hours of Tuesday, January 25, 2022, following an undisclosed illness at the age of 74.
Following the announcement of her death, her father’s sprawling mansion located along Obafemi Awolowo road, Oke Ota-Ona, lkorodu, where she usually stayed whenever she visits lkorodu, was besieged by a crowd of sympathisers who trooped in on daily basis to sympathise with her family and pay their last respect.
A condolence register was also opened at the residence for visitors to write their condolence messages and eulogies for the late politician.
A close family member also informed Oriwu Sun that family members have since been holding meetings to finalise burial arrangements which, according to report, may come up in February.
When our reporters visited the Oke-Ota-Ona residence which formerly played host to the Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in lkorodu until Princess Ogunsanya joined the Lagos4Lagos Movement, a faction of APC which members recently decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), some family members, politicians and sympathisers, during interview sessions, lauded the deceased as a unifying factor both in family and political circles while also describing her death as a shock and irreparable loss.
Mr. Olayinka Olaiya Awolate, an elder brother to late Adenrele Ogunsanya, described Princess Adenrele as a very polite, kind and good person who hates to back bite or fight with others.
He said that the deceased was well loved and revered both in the family and political circle because she related with everyone with love and didn’t discriminate against anybody.
Mr. Awolate stated that Princess Adenrele would be sorely missed by family members, political associates and those that are benefiting from her philanthropic gestures.
Alhaji Rilwan lshola Jinadu, former APC Chairman in lkorodu, described late Adenrele as someone who loved lkorodu passionately and also had the interest of the common people at heart.
He also described her as a decent politician who used her political office to impact positively on the people.
“For the period l have known her, she was someone that loved lkorodu wholeheartedly. Each time she visited lkorodu, she loved to be surrounded by the commoners and she was one of the few leaders that played politics decently”.
Alhaji Jinadu explained that the deceased was useful to APC while she was in their fold and that she did a lot for the people of lkorodu, particularly the youths, while she was the Secretary to the Lagos State Government.
He said that Princess Adenrele would be missed in the political circle and by the traditionalists whom he said she identified with during her life time.
Also, Hon. Olufunmi Bashorun, the representative of lkorodu at the National Conference, said that Princess Adenrele death was shocking and unexpected.
“Her death is very shocking because she was such a vibrant woman whom l never expected to fall sick let alone to be dead.
“She was a focused, committed and rugged politician who always stands firmly on whatever she believes in. She was courageous and extremely generous and goes out of her way to ensure that people are okay either financially, politically, morally, socially or anyhow”
She stated that late Adenrele changed the face of politics in lkorodu with her strong and ceaseless advocacy for women participation and youth welfare.
She prayed that God would grants her family the fortitude to bear the great loss.
One of her cousin, Alhaja Bilikisu Okuku described her as a very respectful person and a cheerful giver who loved to assist people.
She explained that Princess Adenrele was the only child out of the children of Late Adeniran Ogunsanya, who was used to lkorodu because of her love for the town.
Alhaja Okuku said that the deceased played politics without bitterness and was a decent and trustworthy politician who disburses every resource put in her care during election period appropriately and even spent from her personal money.
She urged family members, politicians and people to emulate how the deceased used to accommodate people without any discrimination or hatred.
Also speaking with Oriwu Sun, Lateefat Oromidayo Adekunle, who called the deceased her aunt, described her as a woman of integrity who lived a fulfilled life and urged people to emulate her integrity.
Meanwhile, the Federal lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, Hon. Babajimi Benson, in his own condolence message, described Princess Adenrele as a political heavyweight in Ikorodu Division, who, according to him, would be greatly missed for her large-heartedness, courage and willfulness at ensuring that the dividends of democracy are evenly distributed.
“It is with heavy heart that I commiserate with friends, families and political associates on the death of Princess Adenrele Ogunsanya, popularly known as Aunty ‘Denrele.
“Princess Denrele was a political titan and elder stateswoman who devoted her life time to the youths and the downtrodden, while also committing her resources to the progress and development of the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in Ikorodu Division.
“The former Secretary to the Lagos State Government will be sorely missed in the political terrain for her doggedness, boldness and large heartedness at ensuring that the dividends of democracy are evenly distributed”, Hon. Benson said.
While identifying with the family, friends and loyalists of ‘Aunty Denrele’, Hon. Benson urged the family to find solace in the good legacy she left behind. He also beseeched God to grant the deceased eternal rest, stating that his prayers and thoughts are with the family.
Princess Adenrele Oyebola Oyetokunbo Adeniran-Ogunsanya was born in Manchester City, England, to Otunba (Dr.) Adeniran Ogunsanya QC (SAN) of Rademo Ruling House of Ikorodu and Ellen Joan both of blessed memory on 18th January 1948. She started her education at St. Agnes Private Nursery School, Lagos from where she proceeded to the Anglican Girls Primary School, Broad Street, Lagos, and thereafter moved on to Our Lady of Apostles Secondary, Yaba, where she spent one year.
On return to England, she was admitted at Brentwood Girls School, Southport Lancashire, England and later moved on to St. Mary’s Balslow, England. She obtained her Higher School Certificate at Herons Field School Chorleywood, Hertfordshire and holds a Diploma in French and Law from the University of Paris, Sorbonne, France and University of Lagos, Akoka, respectively. On completion of her Law Programme at the University of Lagos, Adenrele began her working career at Shell (Nigeria) Limited, which later became National Oil and Chemical Marketing Company (NOLCHEM) and now Conoil, as the Personal Assistant to the General Manager, Personnel and Training Development. She also served as Employee Relations Officer. After serving the company meritoriously for 13 years, she left to set up her own business and also to get actively involved in politics.
She served on various ad-hoc committees, both at the State and National levels. She was on various boards one of which was the Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); member, World Constitution and Parliamentary Association WCPA). She was a Patron of Law Society, University of Lagos; Nigerian Youths Foundation; Nigerian Red Cross Society (University of Lagos Detachment). She is the founder of Lagos State Women Forum.
On the strength of a political re-alignment in the year 2006, Princess along with her teeming supporters left the PDP and joined the Action Congress (AC) which had gone through political metamorphosis to become All Peoples Congress (APC). In recognition of her contribution to the party’s success at the polls in the 2007 General Elections, Princess Adenrele was appointed the Secretary to the Government of Lagos (SSG) on 18th June 2007.
Ex President Obasanjo mourns
The former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has joined millions of sympathisers around the world to commiserate with the family of Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya who died on, Tuesday, January 26, 2022, at the age of 74.
Chief Obasanjo, in a condolence letter he personally signed, a copy of which was sent to Oriwu Sun, described the demise of the former Secretary to the Lagos State government, as a sad news and stated that her death would certainly leave a huge vacuum in her family.
He also commiserated with the people of Lagos State on her death, stating that her enormous contributions to the State in particular earned her an eminent position in the State’s gallery of unforgettable public servants.
“I have received, with deep sorrow, the sad news of the passing of Princess Adenrele Adeniran- Ogunsanya on January 26, 2022. Her demise would certainly leave a huge vacuum in her family.
“Indeed, we would like to commiserate as well with the good people of Lagos State on her demise. Her enormous contributions to the State in particular earned her an eminent position in the State’s gallery of the unforgettable public servants. She served Lagos State committedly, loyally and with distinction, notably as the Secretary to the Lagos State Government during the first term of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, as the Governor of Lagos State between 2007 and 2011. Indeed, she left her mark indelibly in whatever she was called upon to do. She was a dutiful and hardworking fellow and gave her very best to the end in the service of Lagos State and her fatherland”.
The former president also said that late Adenrele was a highly respected traditional title-holder and a community leader whose reputation as a courageous political leader, true patriot, great mobilizer, skillful organizer and untiring champion of women empowerment, was well known.
“It is also worthy of note that Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya was a highly respected traditional title-holder and community leader ,particularly in Owu Kingdom where she was conferred with the title of Omowonuade by the late Olowu of Owu, Oba Adegboyega Olusanya Dosunmu. Her reputation as a courageous political leader, true patriot, great mobilizer, skillful organizer and untiring champion of women empowerment was well known. These qualities assured her of a foremost place in the rank of great leaders among Nigerian women folk. She will long be remembered for her impeccable integrity and warm humanity.”
While assuring that he and entire members of his family shared in the grief caused by Princess Adenrele’s death, Chief Obasanjo urged her family, friends and admirers to take solace in the exemplary life that she lived while praying that Almighty God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and the gentle soul of the deceased to rest in perfect peace.
Denrele Ogunsanya’s death, a big loss to Lagos State -Gov Sanwo-Olu
Mr. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, has mourned the demise of the former Secretary to the Lagos State, Princess Adenrele Adeniran Ogunsanya who died on Tuesday, January 25, 2922, at the age of 74 after a brief illness.
The condolence message of the Governor was contained in a letter signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile.
In the letter, Sanwo-Olu commended Adenrele’s contributions to the governance, growth and development of Lagos State during her tenure as the scribe of the State.
He also lauded the late politician and businesswoman for her impactful roles in Lagos politics, especially in lkorodu division, while also commiserating with leaders and the entire people of lkorodu on the death of their illustrious daughter.
“The death of Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya is a big loss to Lagos State. She made a lot of positive impact and contributions during her lifetime to the growth and development of Lagos State as SSG. She also made significant impact in Lagos politics when as member of the ruling party, especially in Ikorodu.
“I pray that God will grant Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya eternal rest and give the immediate family, friends, political associates and the people of Ikorodu the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed.