Nigeria, June 25 -- A former governor of Kwara State and minister of communications, Cornelius Adebayo, is dead.

According to a statement by his eldest son, Oluwasegun, Mr Adebayo died on Wednesday morning in Abuja at the age of 84.

"With profound sadness but gratitude to God, we announce the passing of our father and grandfather, Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo. Born on 24 February 1941, he died in the early hours of today, June 25," the statement read.

"He was at various times a lecturer at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), a Second Republic Senator and later Governor of Kwara State and Minister of Communications and Transportation between 2003 and 2007.

"Throughout his life, he was a dedicated public ser...