Senator Adebayo Sikiru Osinowo: Exit Of A Political Icon

Monday 14 June, 2020 will forever remain in the minds of many as a day when grief gripped the hearts of many APC stalwarts as news of the demise of Senator Bayo Osinowo filtered into the public domain.

The first-term senator representing Lagos East Senatorial district was a beloved, robust and affable politician who usually went out of his way to provide succour to his constituents in particular and the masses in general. Many that know him attest to his generosity, leadership qualities, proactive thinking and resourcefulness. His personality thus looms large within his constituency and beyond.

Adebayo Sikiru Osinowo (November 28, 1955 - June 15, 2020) also known as Pepper was a Nigerian businessman and politician. He was a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Until his death he was Senator representing Lagos East at the 9th Nigerian Assembly.

Senator Adebayo's father was the Late Alhaji Rabiu Osinowo from Odo-Egbo in Ijebu Ode and his mother is Mariamo Taiwo Osinowo. He had his primary education at St. Augustin Primary School in Ijebu-Ode and his Secondary Education in Isonyin Grammar School, Isonyin.

Osinowo studied Building Technology at the lnstituto per Geometri, Rome, Italy. He obtained his master's degree at Urbaniana University, Rome, Italy, where he specialised in Building Technology.

Adebayo Osinowo worked with the Federal Ministry of Works, Lagos State. In 1977, he started his career as a Land Officer at the Federal Ministry of Works till 1979. He then became the Managing Director at NITAL International from 1986 to 2003. He then became the Managing Director at NIMCO International Co. Ltd from 1990 to 2003. He also worked as Managing Director, at Extreme Piling and Construction Company Ltd and NIMCO Dredging Company from 1990 to 2003.

Late Senator Osinowo began his political life in the second republic serving as a youth Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The state Chairman was late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola. Osinowo was a four times distinguished honorable member in the Lagos State house of assembly. Osinowo contested a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly for Kosofe constituency and won. In the February 23, 2019 Lagos East Senatorial District election, he was elected Senator, representing the Lagos East Senatorial District at the Nigerian National Assembly. He was subsequently appointed as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries.

Bayo Osinowo was reported dead by various media outlets on 15 June 2020. He was reported to have died due to complications from COVID-19. He was buried the same day at his Ijebu-Ode residence in accordance with Islamic rites.

May his soul RIP.