Mr Kehinde Ayoola, Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resource, is dead.

He was 55.

A member of his family confirmed the death Thursday afternoon.

Mr Taiwo Adisa, the spokesperson to Governor Seyi Makinde, also confirmed the death.

The cause of his death is yet to be ascertained but he was reported to have been sick for about two weeks until his death.

Mr Ayoola was born on January 14, 1965 in Oyo town, Oyo State, Nigeria. He attended Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He studied Animal Science and Environmental Management and Control.

He represented Oyo East state constituency between 1999 and 2003 at Oyo State House of Assembly and was the Speaker of the assembly in 1999.

He was married to Olukemi, an associate professor of agronomy and has two sons.

In his tribute, Governor of Oyo state, Mr Seyi Makinde, has this to say of the departed commissioner he appointed last year: “I received with deep sadness, the news of the death of my dear friend and colleague, Mr Kehinde Ayoola. Up until his death, he served as Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources in Oyo State.”

“I met late Ayoola in 2002, when we worked together as members of the Fortune Group for the election of ex-Gov Rasheed Ladoja. He also served as Director General for my 2015 campaign and Deputy Director General for my 2019 campaign.

He was a loyal friend with a dedication to duty that cannot be questioned. He will be sorely missed for his great oratory skills and his love for the people of Oyo Town and Oyo State. May his soul rest in peace.”

PT