Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Activities marking the final burial rites of a former military governor of the defunct Western region, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd),‎ will commence on Thursday, with a lying-in-state at the House of Chiefs, Parliamentary Building, Ibadan.

Gen. Adebayo died on 8 March, 2017 at the age of 89, a day before his 90th birthday. 

Secretary to Oyo State Government (SSG), Mr Olalekan Alli, while addressing a press conference in Ibadan on Monday, said all six states in the South West region would participate actively in the funeral programmes of the former military governor. 

‎He said all the governors in the zone would receive the corpse at the Ibadan end of the Lagos Ibadan Express way and follow it to the House of Chiefs, Parliamentary building where lying-in-state would be held. 

Ali who said that the late  Adebayo would be given a befitting burial, said "it is our culture to celebrate our leaders especially our hero's both living and dead. Nothing can be more honourable than a befitting lying-in-state"

Aside the governors, other dignitaries expected to grace the occasion, according to the SSG, include members of the Yoruba Council of Elders, Alumni‎ of the University of Ibadan and other stakeholders who are expected to pay tribute to the late elder statesman.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, while speaking, said the programme would be strictly on invitation.

Other members of the burial committees apart from Ali, who would act as coordinator include his counterpart in Ondo State, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde, a director in Lagos State Governor's Office, Mrs. Morenike Sobayo and some members of his famliy, Mr. Femi Adebayo and Mr. Ayo Ogundele.