The deceased was a three time commissioner in Ogun.
An Egba High Chief and three-time Commissioner for Information in Ogun State, Soniran Sowemimo, is dead.
The 71-year-old veteran journalist was at the Abeokuta Sports Club located in Oke-Ilewo area of the town in company of his club members on Friday night when he suddenly slumped and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.
He eventually died at the hospital while receiving treatment and his remains deposited at the morgue.
Sympathisers have since early Saturday besieged the deceased private residence located at Soniran Sowemimo road, off Kuforiji Olubi Avenue, Abeokuta.
Early callers at the deceased house include Sarafa Ishola (former Minister of Steel), Soniran Soremi (retired Justice), Jare Dada (former General Manager, Ogun State Television), and Toyin Gbadebo (Assistant General Manager, Programme Services, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation).
Reacting to the death, a former Ogun State Governor, Segun Osoba, expressed shock, saying he spoke to the deceased about four days ago. He described the late former chairman of the Governing Council of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, as a good journalist.
“We spoke four days ago discussing about our Ago-Oba quarters. I’m surprised to hear this. He was a good colleague of mine. Good media practitioner and respected professional, and a reputable family man. His death is a terrible loss to us in Egbaland,” Mr. Osoba stated.
Also reacting, former Minister of Steel, Sarafa Ishola, said the death is a sudden exit of a great man in Egbaland, stating that the vacuum left would be difficult to fill.
Another former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, also mourned the death of the deceased.
“He remained one of the great professionals in the media in the media and information management. As Chairman of Gateway Radio under my tenure he gave a very good account for his tenure. Without doubt our people will miss our amiable and peace loving Chief Soniran Sowemimo. May his soul rest in peace,” Mr. Daniel stated.
A former deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye, in his reaction sympathised with Egba indigenes.
Mr. Oladunjoye, who recently joined the All Progressives Change (APC), stated that “my sympathy goes to the Alake of Egbaland on the sudden death of an Egba High Chief, veteran journalist and community leader.”
‘As a veteran journalist and a record holder of three term commissioner for information in Ogun State, the deceased has paid his dues. I pray that God will grant him eternal rest’ Mr. Oladunjoye said.
The family of the deceased have said they would release details of his burial after they meet.
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