The Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, and Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki have commiserated with Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the government and people of Ekiti State on the death of the Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.

Governor Ahmed, in the message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, described the passage of Mrs. Olayinka as a national loss as she died at a young age with a lot of ideas, zeal and vision that could help in shaping a better Ekiti State and the building of a virile Nigeria.

Dr Ahmed urged Governor Fayemi, the family of the late Deputy Governor and the people of Ekiti state to take solace in the fact that Mrs. Olayinka ran a good race in life by contributing her quota to the entrenchment of democracy in Ekiti State and Nigeria at large through her participation in politics and her steadfastness in the long judicial struggle that culminated in the inauguration of Governor Adeyemi and herself as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ekiti State respectively.

Governor Ahmed noted that the demise of Mrs. Olayinka was undoubtedly a trying period for Governor Fayemi who has lost a dependable lieutenant, the aged parents of the deceased who have lost a good daughter and her husband and children who have been deprived of a dear wife and a sweet mother.

Governor Ahmed prayed God to shower His fortitude on Governor Fayemi, the Olayinka family and the people of Ekiti State to bear the loss.

Senator Saraki in a statement said "I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of Her Excellency, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State after a protracted illness.

"Words are not adequate to express how deeply sorry I am over this devastating news. Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole has lost a rare gem to the cold hands of death.

"Her outstanding charisma and humility as a public servant and a mother will be sorely missed. She was a woman of great insight who contributed her quota to the services of humanity. Her death is a painful loss to the people of Ekiti State and her family.

"On behalf of myself and the people of Kwara Central Senatorial District, I extend my sincere condolence to Governor Kayode Fayemi, the people, government of Ekiti State and the Olayinka family.