One of the most influential Ibadan indigenes, oldest Director of The Punch Newspapers and popular hotelier, Chairman of Kakanfo Inn, Dr. Lekan Are, is dead.
Although details of his death were sketchy as at press time, he was said to have died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
In a statement issued on Saturday, made available to The NEXT EDITION in Lagos, President of the Old Students of Government College, Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA), Wale Babalakin, stated, “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.
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“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 gaint 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, January 18, 2020. May his gentle soul rests in peace. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family,” Wale Babalakin (1971), President, GCIOBA.
