As the final funeral rites of a former governor of old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, began on Tuesday, the Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has described the deceased as an iconic leader.

Akeredolu also said the late Olumilua was an astute politician and an effective manager of both human and material resources.

He spoke at the commendation service for the late former governor, held at the International and Cultural Event Centre, Akure, the state capital.

Akeredolu  said, “Ondo and Ekiti have lost an important personality. We are consoled by the worthy life he led. When the history of Ondo is talked about, his name will be written in gold.

“We must try to maintain an intimate relationship with our creator. His relationship with God accounted for his worthy life even in the murky waters of politics.”

The son of the deceased, Mr Olumide Olumilua, said his father dedicated his life to serve humanity, adding that the family was consoled with the love and goodwill he extended to people while alive.

Akeredolu later led top government functionaries in handing over Olumilua’s remains to his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi, at Ikere-Ekiti, a border town of the two states.

Present at the brief event were children and family members of the deceased, including the Ekiti State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Olumuyiwa Olumilua; Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu; and other top government officials from Ekiti State.

The late Olumilua passed away on June 4, aged 80 years, and was governor of old Ondo State between 1992 and 1993.

Fayemi had during his condolence visit to the Ikere Ekiti residence of the deceased promised to work out modality with Akeredolu to give the former governor a befitting burial.

The Ekiti State Government has scheduled a commendation service in honour of the late Olumilua for Wednesday in Ado- Ekiti.