Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has mourned the passing of the Owa-Ooye of Imesi-Ile, Oba Enoch Ademola Akinyemi.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the monarch died at the age of 85 after a 21-year reign.

The monarch’s demise was announced in a statement on Friday by the Obaala of Imesi-Ile and Chairman of the Owa-Ooye-in-Council, High Chief Tunde Aluko, on behalf of the royal council and the community.

Fadahunsi, who chairs the Senate Committee on Industries, described the late monarch as a foremost scholar and charismatic ruler whose death had created an irreplaceable vacuum in Ijesa land, Osun State and Nigeria.

The senator stated this in a statement signed by his Head of Media and Public Enlightenment, Omole Olusegun and shared with PUNCH Online on Saturday.

According to Fadahunsi, the monarch reigned for more than two decades, during which he contributed to the development of his domain and beyond.

Describing the late traditional ruler as a friend to all, intellectual and jovial personality, the senator said his death was a significant loss to the people.

“It is a big loss to us in Ijesha land, the state, and the nation,” Fadahunsi said.

He added, “We can only console the family and the industrious people he led, and mourn him gracefully because he came, he saw, and he conquered.”

Fadahunsi prayed for strength and comfort for the monarch’s immediate family, the Imesi-Ile community, the Ijesa people, the Osun State Government and others mourning his death.