Former governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday said his late father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, would be sorely missed.

The elder Saraki died in Lagos on Wednesday morning aged 79 after succumbing to an undisclosed illness.

In a statement on Facebook and Twitter, the former governor, who is currently a senator representing Kwara Central, poured encomiums on his father.

He wrote, "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un ; "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return." (al-Baqarah:156) With gratitude to Almighty Allah, we announce the passage to eternity of our beloved father and grandfather, His Eminence, Oloye (Dr.) Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Waziri of Ilorin, former Senate Leader, Second Republic, Federal Republic of Nigeria who answered the call to the great beyond, in the early hours of today in Lagos (17 May 1933 - 14 Nov 2012).

"We take solace in knowing that our father lived an exemplary life of service, and selfless devotion to development of his people and nation. Baba will be sorely missed. We pray for the repose of his soul that Almighty Allah grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus. Amin.

For the Family,
Senator (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki (CON), Senator For Kwara Central, former Governor Kwara State Federal Republic of Nigeria.