Elder statesman and founder and CEO of Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Ibadan, Chief Lekan Are, is dead.

The Chairman, University Press plc. and General Manager, Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority, died on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Tribune Online has learnt.

Chief Are, also the longest-serving director on the board of Punch Nigeria Limited died at the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

A source close to the family told Tribune Online authoritatively that Chief Are who was born on December 2, 1933, died around 12.30 am on Saturday.

Chief Are who hails from Oyo State attended Government College, Ibadan (GCI) for his primary education.

Confirming the development to Tribune Online, President, Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA), Wale Babalakin, said Oyo State has lost “a giant whose passion for the development of education in Oyo State is unequalled.”

A statement he issued on Saturday reads: “With gratitude to God for a life well spent we announce the exit of our dear patron and trustee Lalekan Emmanuel Are (1948, Field House), President GCIOBA 1989-2006.

“Lekan Are is widely known for the passion with which he championed the GCI cause and everything GCIOBA, Lalekan Are was the epitome of a great Old Boy.

“We commiserate with the Are Family, particularly the Young Girl, his Old Boy sons Ayokunmi (1976 Set), Adedamola (1978 Set) and his son-in-law Denny Igun (1971 set) and the entire Are family of Oke-Are Ibadan.

“The entire GCIOBA, Are family and indeed Oyo State have lost a giant whose passion for the development of education in Oyo State is unequalled

“Dr Lalekan Are passed on at the age of 86 after a brief illness at UCH today 18th January 2020, may his gentle soul rest in peace. Funeral Arrangements will be announced by the family.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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