Adeniji Adele, ex-Lagos commissioner, dies at 60

Ademola Adeniji Adele, former Lagos State commissioner for sports, is dead. Sultan Adele, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and son of the deceased, confirmed the death.

The former commissioner died on Thursday in India after going through a surgical operation.

”My dad, Prince Adeniji Adele, this morning passed on in India. May almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Fidau,” Sultan said yesterday.

Adeniji was a commissioner for sports during the administration of Babatunde Fashola between 2007 and 2011. He was said to have travelled to India early this year because of an undisclosed ailment.

Late Adele was a gubernatorial candidate under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before joining Action Congress, now All Progressives Congress (APC). In his lifetime, he was also former chairman of Lagos Island Local Government.

Prior to his death, Adele had relocated from his Festac residence to Badagry, where he was rearing cattle.

It was gathered from close family sources that Adele will be flown from India to Nigeria on Friday, and will be buried on Saturday at his residence in Festac, Lagos State.

Reacting to the news, Nigeria Football Federation said it was shocked at the demise of the late Adele.

Chris Green, head of technical committee of NFF, said Adele would be remembered for his giant strides. “It is sad. RIP. My heart goes to his family, friends and the good people of Lagos State,” Green said.