President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the Lagos State Government and the All Progressives Congress over the death of Chief Akinsanya Sunny Ajose, an elder statesman and former head of service.
Chief Ajose died on Thursday, January 16, 2025. He was 78.
This was made known in a release signed by the special advisor to the president on Information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Thursday morning.
The President commiserated particularly with the people of Badagry.
He described the late Ajose as a statesman, party loyalist, and committed APC leader in Badagry, who was also a unifying force in Lagos State.
Recalling his relationship with Chief Ajose as the head of service during his time as governor, President Tinubu underscored Ajose’s commitment to reforming the service.
“He was an astute administrator and dogged civil servant. When I appointed him the head of service, he became a rallying point. He had a considerable influence on the workers. He was pivotal in getting the civil service behind our policies and initiatives.
“Even after his tenure as head of service, we remained very close because of his leadership qualities and because he was an important partner in development,” the President remarked.
President Tinubu said Pa Ajose made immense contributions to developing not only his Badagry Constituency but also the entire state.
He added that it was a mark of recognition of his important role that he was the sole representative from Badagry in the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council.
While commiserating with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the government, and the people of the state, the President prayed for strength and support for Ajose’s family and eternal rest for Pa Ajose’s soul.
Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu highlighted Ajose’s role as a seasoned administrator, grassroots leader, and devoted democrat who played a key part in the development of Badagry and Lagos as a whole.
“As a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), I had the privilege of working with him directly on many issues relating to the development of Badagry and Lagos as a whole. His leadership in Lagos politics was exemplary.
“Chief Ajose will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and the entire political class, particularly GAC, chieftains, and members of the ruling party across Lagos State and Nigeria, especially in Badagry, where he was the apex leader before his death,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Sunny Ajose was born on February 10, 1946, in Badagry. After his primary and secondary education in Nigeria, he went to the United States for tertiary education. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Science from the University of Illinois, Chicago, in 1973.
In 1974, he received an M.A. in Social Science from Governors State University, also in the U.S.
He joined the Lagos Civil Service in 1979 and became head of service in 2004.
