‘I Laughed It Off At First’ — Wike On Death Of FCT Head Of Service

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Head of Service of the FCT, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, describing her sudden death as “a painful loss” to the administration, civil service, and the entire FCT.

Speaking with the deceased person’s family, Wike recounted the shock he felt when he first received the news of her passing on Monday, September 1, barely 24 hours after she ministered at a church service.

“With pain, we want to condole the family of my former Head of Service. I say with pain, seriously with pain.

“I was to be here yesterday, but I found it very difficult because I never felt it was real. I never had any inclination that she was sick. When I was told she had passed on, I laughed it off at first. I said, passed on how? Is it an accident? They said no. They said she complained of high blood pressure. I said this must be a joke taken too far. But now I realize it is true,” the minister said.

Wike described Adayilo as a rare professional who embodied commitment, selflessness, and excellence in service.

He further said, “I’ve worked with civil servants, I’ve worked with women. But I can say that I worked with somebody who was dedicated, who gave no excuses, who was full of life.

“When she was supposed to retire, I pleaded with Mr. President to extend her tenure because I still needed her guidance. Mr. President graciously approved another year. I thought I was going to enjoy that extension, but I didn’t know that this wickedness of death would take her away.”

The minister further eulogized the deceased as not only a technocrat but also a woman with political traits that made her an effective unifier.

“Yes, she was a civil servant, but there are some political traits in her as a great humanizer. She was a true Christian, committed to service, dependable, and a reformer who left her mark on the system. Nobody can replace her,” he stated.

Wike assured the bereaved family that the FCT Administration will stand solidly with them in their grief, and announced that the government will shoulder the entire burial expenses and take responsibility for the welfare of her children.

“I don’t know how many children she has—four. If they are working, fine. If they are not working, we will take that responsibility immediately. Don’t worry. The FCT will also take care of all the burial expenses. Money cannot replace her, but that is the least we can do,” he said.

He urged the children and relatives of the deceased to draw strength from God and uphold the values she stood for.

“Grow strong, believe in God as she did. Do not disappoint her. May her soul rest in the bosom of the Lord,” the minister prayed.

Mrs. Adayilo, who passed away in the early hours of Monday, was confirmed dead by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka.

Her death came as a shock to colleagues and associates, as she had ministered in church the previous day, showing no visible signs of ailment.

She was appointed Head of the Civil Service of the FCT Administration in October 2024, Adayilo previously served as Permanent Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat.

Over the years, she built a reputation for dedication, reform-driven leadership, and improving staff welfare.

‘I Laughed It Off At First’ — Wike On Death Of FCT Head Of Service is first published on The Whistler Newspaper