Former Minister of Youth and Sports and one-time Military Administrator of Benue State, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Lawal (rtd.), has died at the age of 83.
The retired military officer passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Sunday, June 23, 2024, at his home.
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 (rtd.).
Zakari stated, “AVM Frank Ajobena (retd.) further 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.
Throughout his illustrious career, Lawal held numerous high-ranking positions within the NAF.
These included Commander of NAF Port Harcourt (1969-1970), Commander of Enugu Air Force Base (1970-72), and two stints as Commander of NAF Kano (1972-1973 and 1975-1977). He also served as Air Officer Commanding HQ Tactical Air Command NAF Makurdi from 1977 to 1978