Michael Koleoso, the former Secretary to the Oyo State Government and a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, has died at the age of 86. Koleoso, who served as SSG during the late Governor Lamidi Adesina’s administration from 1999 to 2003, passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 2, 2024.
Koleoso was also known for his role as the National Chairman of the defunct Alliance for Democracy. His death marks the end of an era, according to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who described Koleoso’s passing as “the end of a glorious era.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, Governor Makinde expressed his deep sorrow, saying, “I received the news of the death of Baba Michael Koleoso, the Babalaje of Saki, with shock and sadness. Oyo State and Nigeria have lost a great patriot and selfless leader, one of the last men standing in the batch of leaders who gave their all to make Nigeria a better place.”
Makinde, who held Koleoso in high regard, further added, “People who know me know that I had a special bond with Babalaje; I held him as a father and had the utmost regard for him, as he was a courageous and upright leader who spoke truth to power. We’ve relied on his guidance and wealth of experience in guiding our great state to greatness, and Babalaje did love this state till his dying days.”
The governor also extended his condolences to the Koleoso family, his political associates, and the people of Saki and Oyo State. “It is the end of a glorious era, and we can only pray to God to grant repose to the soul of our Baba,” Makinde stated.
Born on April 30, 1938, into the Emi-Abata family of Saki, Koleoso had his early education at Baptist Primary School, Ajegunle, Saki, before attending Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo from 1957 to 1961. He later pursued further studies at the School of Hygiene, Eleyele, Ibadan, obtaining an Ordinary National Diploma in 1965 and an Advanced Certificate in 1966.
Koleoso began his career in the civil service of the Western Region, serving as Head of the Health Department of the old Saki District Council before venturing into business. He founded Esmak Nigeria Limited, a company still in operation today, focusing on commodity distribution, transportation, real estate, and hospitality.
Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and disciplined lifestyle, Koleoso’s political career took off in 1976 when he was elected unopposed as Councilor in the Ifedapo Local Government Area of the Old Oyo State. In 1979, he was elected to the Oyo State House of Assembly, representing Ifedapo Constituency under the platform of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo-led Unity Party of Nigeria.
The burial arrangements for the late Michael Koleoso will be announced by the family in due course.
