The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has rolled out the drums to celebrate its pioneer National Chairman and elder statesman, Oba Samuel Oluyemi Falae, as he clocks 88.
The party, in a goodwill message signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, described Falae as a patriot, accomplished technocrat and statesman whose decades of public service had left an enduring mark on Nigeria.
Falae, who is the Olu-Abo of Abo, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, served as the SDP’s National Leader before retiring from active politics in February 2019 at the age of 80.
The party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, who conveyed the message on behalf of the National Working Committee and SDP members nationwide, said the party was proud to identify with the former SGF.
According to the SDP, Falae’s record of service spans both the public and private sectors, including his tenure as Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office and his career in banking, where he rose to become Managing Director of a merchant bank.
The party also highlighted his service as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), presidential candidate of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the 1999 general elections, as well as delegate and leader of Afenifere at the 2014 National Conference.
The SDP described the former presidential candidate as one of the prominent national figures of Yoruba extraction whose contributions to Nigeria had extended beyond partisan politics.
It said his private and public accomplishments provided an example for younger Nigerians seeking to contribute to national development.
The party said it was particularly proud of Falae’s role in the development of the SDP, noting that he served meritoriously as National Leader until his retirement from active politics.
The SDP prayed for continued good health, peace and fulfilment for the octogenarian, while urging Nigerians, particularly younger generations, to draw inspiration from his life and service.
“May his good records and monumental lifetime achievements continue to inspire generations to make remarkable contributions to national development and the building of a good Nigerian society,” the party said.
The SDP concluded its message with a traditional Yoruba birthday greeting, wishing Falae many more years of life.
