The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed his condolences on the death of renowned economist and community leader, Chief Samuel Bandele Falegan, who passed on Tuesday.
Chief Samuel Bandele Falegan was a pioneer Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and was also Director of Research, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The Governor said the death of Chief Samuel Bandele Falegan was a personal loss to him, describing the deceased as a mentor and a thoroughbred Ekiti leader who had an unflinching belief in the greatness of the state till he breathed his last.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, the Governor said the late Chief Samuel Bandele Falegan was a worthy Ekiti Ambassador who embodied the Ekiti core values of honesty, integrity, hard work, and service.
Describing the deceased as a technocrat of repute who served the nation meritoriously, Dr. Fayemi noted that the late Chief Falegan also made his service available to his home state after he retired from public service.
The Governor described him as a highly resourceful and principled leader and a man of distinction.
Dr. Fayemi noted that the late Chief Falegan excelled in all key assignments he undertook, including as Board Member, First Bank Nigeria; Governing Council Member, Nigeria Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER); Member, National Advisory Council on Statistics and Ondo State Economic Advisory Council.
This, the Governor explained, was the reason the late administrator was appointed Chairman, Ekiti State Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) Committee during his first tenure of office between 2010 and 2014.
Dr. Fayemi pointed out that the late Chief Falegan was very passionate about the development of Ekiti and was ever ready to offer his advice on how the state could move forward.
He stated that the late Chief Falegan was a blunt man who spoke truth to power and never shied from stating his positions on government policies.
The Governor urged the contemporary and future leaders to emulate the ideals of altruism, patriotism, and selfless service to mankind for which the late Chief Falegan was known in his lifetime.
He said the late Chief Falegan would be sorely missed by his immediate family, his hometown, Ado Ekiti where he held the traditional title of “Atoye,” Ekiti State, and Nigeria as a whole.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the children, wife, and the entire family of our dear baba and pray that God will grant him eternal rest’, the Governor added.