Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of Dr Doyin Okupe, the former spokesman to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.
He described the death of Okupe, a physician and co-founder of Royal Cross Medical Centre, who passed away at 72, as a great loss to Nigeria, particularly the people of Ogun State.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, said Okupe was an accomplished politician and strategist known for his bold positions and unfiltered opinions on political and national issues.
Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, also commiserated with his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun, over the loss of one of the state’s political icons.
He said: “On behalf of my family, the people, and the government of Lagos, I mourn the passing of a renowned political and media strategist and former presidential aide, Dr Doyin Okupe.
“Dr Okupe was an accomplished politician and strategist who played an active role in Nigeria’s politics for over three decades. He was actively involved during the Third Republic as the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He also served passionately as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, and Publicist for Senator Bukola Saraki and Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“As a medical doctor, Okupe also impacted many lives positively in his chosen profession. He worked in both public and private hospitals across Nigeria before co-founding Royal Cross Medical Centre in the Obalende area of Lagos State.
“Dr Doyin Okupe’s passing is a great loss to Nigeria, particularly the political class. I pray that Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest and gives his family, friends, and associates the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
