EXCLUSIVE! HOW POPULAR SOCIALITE AND BUSINESSMAN, LEKAN ABASS DIED

-Wife In Critical Condition In ICU
-Why He Was The De facto Number Two Man In Oyo State
-Gov. Abiola Ajimobi Breaks Down, Remains Inconsolable
-Lagos and Ibadan Social Circuits Mourn Him
-His Unfulfilled Dream

Popular Ibadan based socialite and businessman, Otunba Lekan Abass is dead. His death occurred on the night of Tuesday, 16 September, 2014. He was aged 51. Since the tragic news broke out the entire Ibadan community has been enveloped in palpable sorrow. More devastating is the fact that Folake, Abass' wife of almost two years, is currently lying critically ill in the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital, UCH. 

Findings made by The ELITES revealed that Abass died after suffering a heart attack last night. The circumstances that led to his suffering heart attack and eventual death is equally tragic. It was gathered that Abass' wife, Folake had undergone a fibroid surgery a few days ago. The surgery was initially successful, and she was showing prospect of a speedy recovery while recuperating at the hospital. However, Folake's health suddenly took a turn for the worse, and she had to be wheeled to the ICU and she had to be ventilated. When the doctors observed that she wasn't responding to treatment, they were reported to have called Abass to come to the hospital. The ELITES gathered that Abass was hanging out with some friends at Davies Hotel, Old Bodija, when he received the call, summoning him to the hospital. Gripped with panic, Abass

jumped into his car and headed for the hospital. Three of his friends were said to have joined him as well. It was while the group was midway to the hospital that one of Abass' friends, Nekan noticed the abnormal way he was heaving and breathing. Before the other passengers could caution Abass, they noticed that his legs had gone stiff. This resulted in the car, swerving from one end of the road to the other. The car suddenly stopped when it crashed into the wall of a building, housing the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG church. 

Sadly though, Lekan Abass died before he could be taken to the hospital. His death has left many people numb with shock and sorrow. Governor Ajimobi, who is presently abroad on vacation, broke down in tears and has become inconsolable when he learnt of the death of the man, who was to him, more than what a blood brother could be. 

A very successful businessman, with vested interest in property and real estate, Abass was the closest person to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State. A filial bond existed between the two men, and so tight was the bond, that most people in the state, regarded Abass as the De facto number two man in the state. Abass was said to have Ajimobi's ears on every issue. Most top government officials were known to have solicited for his assistance whenever they needed favor from the governor. The ELITES gathered that Abass was one of the few people who stood by Ajimobi, in some of his most trying

Abass with Reuben Famuyibo

moments. Also, it is a known fact that it was Abass that facilitated the allocation of contracts to many notable Big Boys, both in Ibadan and Lagos. Notable among some of his close friends are Reuben Famuyibo, Gbenga Obembe, Lekan Oshifeso, Goddy Mekwuye (Vivid Imagination), Andre Olajide, Noah Oyenehin, Tayo Alakiu and many others. 

Described as very sociable and stylish, Abass was a favorite among many ladies. His first marriage, which crashed in 2007, produced a boy, Juwon. Last January, Abass had got married, for the second time, to Folake, a senior manager at Guarantee Trust Bank, GT Bank. The wedding ceremony, which took place in Lagos, had King Sunny Ade on the bandstand, and it was graced by Governor Ajimobi, his wife, Florence and many prominent dignitaries.The ELITES gathered that the couple was preparing to have their first child together when death struck.
Just last July, Juwon had made his father proud when he emerged as the best graduating student from Babcock University, from where he bagged a degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering.

Lekan Abass is survived by an aged mother, wife, Folake and son, Juwon.