The Speaker, Ekiti House of Assembly, Mr Funmimiyi Afuye, and other lawmakers took turns on Monday to extol the developmental strides recorded by late Chief Bamidele Olumilua as governor of the old Ondo State.

They all spoke at a special plenary session organised by the house in honour of the late elder statesman, who died on June 4.

Afuye described Olumilua as “a man always on the side of anything that would bring about progress and development of humankind.’’

He said: “Pa Olumilua was always on the side of progress, wherever he finds himself.

“He was a titan and a moderate man in all his endeavours and his desire for development cannot be quantified.

“He fought for the recognition of Old Ondo State as a part of the oil-producing states in Nigeria as governor between 1992 and 1993.

“The effort brings development to the state till date.”

Also, Deputy Speaker Hakeem Jamiu, the Majority Leader, Chief Gboyega Aribisogan, and Mrs Yemisi Ayokunle (APC Ekiti South West 1) described the late politician as a “shining star” for the Yoruba race.

They said that the former governor would forever be remembered for his contributions to development in Ekiti.

A member of the old Ondo State House of Assembly from 1992 to 1993, Olufemi Ojo, said that the deceased was a true democrat and respecter of the rule of law.

Ojo said, “Olumilua was a governor of repute, he respected the rule of law, so much that he gave members of the house free hands to operate without undue interference.”

Other speakers at the event, including two pioneer lawmakers of the state legislature, Mr Omotayo Tokunbo and Abiodun Omoyemi, urged politicians, especially those from Ikere-Ekiti, to sustain the legacies of Olumilua, who died at 80.

In his vote of thanks on behalf of the family, Olumide Olumilua said his father desired human capital development and offered himself for service to humanity.

The family, which hail from Ikere-Ekiti in Ikere Local Government Area of the state, thanked the house for honouring its late father.