Ex-Minister of Youth and Sports Adebayo Lawal dies at 83

A former Minister of Youth and Sports and one-time Military Administrator of Benue State, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Lawal (retd.), has died at the age of 83.

The retired military officer passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Sunday.

The news was confirmed by his daughter, Mrs. Yinka Enahoro, and corroborated by the Sergeant At Arms at the National Assembly, Air Commodore Sani Zakari (retd.).

Zakari said, “AVM Frank Ajobena (retd.) informed us that AVM Bayo Lawal passed on in his sleep at the early hours of Sunday, Jun 23, 2024.”

Born on September 14, 1941, in Offa, Kwara State, Lawal was a pioneer officer of the Nigerian Air Force, which he joined in 1963.

He received his training as a military pilot in West Germany, graduating in 1964.

He was appointed Military Governor of Benue State in July 1978, a position he held until October 1979.

Later in his career, he served as the Federal Minister of Youth and Sports.