Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, has expressed sadness over the passing on of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Omowale Kuye, whom she described as "a man of great accomplishment, integrity, and notable service to the country".

Mrs. Saraki made the remarks when she represented her husband, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and her parents, Otunba Adekunle Ojora and Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, at the eighth-day fidau prayers for late Kuye in Ibadan.

According to a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the media office of the senate president, she thanked God for the life and legacies of late Chief Kuye, who served as a former Director General, Special Duties, and later Budget, in the Office of the President during his lifetime.

Mrs. Saraki also recalled that the late Kuye worked with former Presidents Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo in addition to serving and leading diligently in the Federal Ministries of Trade and Industry, and Finance.

She therefore commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Ibadan Traditional Council and the government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident. The statement said Mrs. Saraki, a childhood friend of the Kuye family, also enjoined the officiating clerics to offer prayers for the repose of the soul of the departed.

Also in attendance at the fidau were the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, top business man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Aloma Mukhtar, ex-governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi and a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brig. Gen. Raji Rasaki (rtd).

Others present at the prayer session were former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Nurudeen Adekola, former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, Chief Kola Daisi, former Minister of Sports - Gen. I.B.M. Haruna, and Chairman, Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Dr. Lekan Are, among others.