Michael Onunkun, popularly known as MAE Onunkun, a former Second Republic Senator in the old Ondo State, has passed away at the age of 98. Onunkun, who represented the Ondo West Senatorial District, now Ondo South, from 1979 to 1983, died on Wednesday night.
His daughter, Mrs. Morenike Alaka, a former Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government, confirmed his passing to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Okitipupa. She stated that the elder statesman died at around 11:57 pm at the West End Hospital, Okitipupa.
Reflecting on her father’s life, Alaka said, “My dad, a distinguished Senator in the Second Republic, no doubt had his flaws but he was a great statesman, a fantastic man, lover of children and education. He was a great politician who engaged in politics until his death, always discussing political matters whenever we were together.”
She added that the family had been preparing for Onunkun’s 99th birthday on September 30, making his death particularly painful. “His death is painful; all the children, family, and the Ikale people will miss him greatly,” she said.
Onunkun is survived by two wives and twelve children, comprising seven sons and five daughters.
