The Senate has resolved to honour Senator Kunle Oyero, a member of the Senate in the Second Republic, on the occasion of his 100th birthday anniversary slated for Saturday, November 11, 2023.
The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent importance moved by Senator Shuaib Salisu, representing Ogun Central Senatorial District of Ogun State at plenary. The lawmaker had explained the importance of honouring Senator Kunle Oyero at his 100th birthday anniversary, given his contributions to national development.
The motion was co-sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central), a son of Senator David Dafinone, who was a contemporary of Senator Oyero.
He described Senator Oyero as “an elder statesman, foremost lawyer, exemplary public servant, uncommon philanthropist, and illustrious predecessor in the Senate who attained an enviable milestone age of 100 years on Saturday, 28th October 2023, having been born on Sunday, 28th October 1923.”
Senator Kunle Oyero was a member of the Senate in the Second Republic representing Ogun Central Senatorial District of Ogun State, serving alongside other notable members of that Senate, such as Senators Dr. Joseph Wayas (Senate President), Olusola Saraki (Senate Leader), Abraham Adesanya, and David Dafinone.
Salisu described Oyero as an accomplished Legal Practitioner, who was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1955. He was enrolled at the Supreme Court in Nigeria on February 16, 1956, and served the Nigerian Bar in various capacities, including chairman of the Lagos Branch between 1967 and 1970. He was 1st National Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association and later a member of the Council on Legal Education between 1972 and 1978.
The lawmaker, commending Oyero’s contributions to the nation in various capacities, particularly as a Senator in the Second Republic, stated that he was worthy of celebration by all.
Senator Salisu, therefore, urged the Senate to send a delegation to attend a colloquy marking the centenarian’s birthday on Saturday, November 11, 2023, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. He also called for a congratulatory letter from the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to Senator Oyero.
Extolling the centenarian, Salisu mentioned that Oyero, a member of the African Bar Association, Commonwealth Bar Association, and International Bar Association, held positions such as President of the Nigerian Youth Congress, Second Secretary of the Socialist Workers and Farmers Party of Nigeria, and President of the Federation of Nigerian Youths.
“As a demonstration of his love for youth and education, he has awarded over 400 scholarships in the last 35 years, amongst other philanthropic gestures. In addition to being a Senator, Oyero played significant roles in the politics of our dear country, including but not limited to serving as an elected member of the Chief Rotimi William’s led Constitution Drafting Committee (popularly called the Committee of 50 Wise Men) set up by the then Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo, that drafted the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Salisu recalled.