The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Lagos State Government have received President Bola Tinubu’s sincere condolences and sorrow for the loss of former Head of Service and elder statesman Chief Akinsanya Sunny Ajose.
At the age of 78, Chief Ajose passed away early on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the president expressed his sympathy, in particular, for the Badagry people’s loss of the elder statesman.
In addition to being a devoted APC apex leader in Badagry and a unifying force in Lagos State, he characterised the late Ajose as a statesman and party loyalist.
President Tinubu emphasised the deceased’s dedication to modernising the service while recalling his interaction with Ajose as the Head of Service during his tenure as governor.
“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.
According to Tinubu, Pa Ajose made significant contributions to the growth of the state as a whole as well as his Badagry Constituency.
Being the only representative from Badagry on the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council, he continued, was a testament to his significant contribution.
As the President offered condolences to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state’s government, and its citizens, he prayed for the Ajose family’s fortitude and support as well as for Pa Ajose’s soul to rest in peace forever.
Ajose was born in Badagry on February 10, 1946. He completed his elementary and secondary schooling in Nigeria before travelling to the United States for his postsecondary education.
In 1973, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Science from the University of Illinois, Chicago.
He graduated from Governors State University in the United States with a Master of Arts in Social Science in 1974.
Under then-Governor Bola Tinubu, who is currently the president of Nigeria, he joined the Lagos Civil Service in 1979 and advanced to the position of Head of Service for Lagos State in 2004.