Former Minister of Youth and Sports and one-time Military Administrator of Benue State, Air Vice Marshal Bayo Lawal (rtd), has passed away.
Born on September 14, 1941, in Offa, Kwara State, AVM Adebayo Hamed Lawal attended Government College, Ibadan, from 1955 to 1962. He joined the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in 1963 as one of its pioneers and was trained as a military pilot in West Germany, graduating in 1964.
During his distinguished career, AVM Lawal held several significant positions. He served as Commander of NAF Port Harcourt from 1969 to 1970, Commander of Enugu Air Force Base from 1970 to 1972, and Commander of NAF Kano on two separate occasions, from 1972 to 1973 and from 1975 to 1977. Additionally, he was the Air Officer Commanding HQ Tactical Air Command in NAF Makurdi from 1977 to 1978. A vibrant and active fighter pilot, AVM Lawal’s contributions were highly regarded within the military community.
In July 1978, AVM Lawal was appointed Military Governor of Benue State, a position he held until October 1979. He also served as Director of the Air Faculty at the Command and Staff College, Jaji, before being appointed as the Federal Minister of Youth and Sports.
After his retirement from the military, AVM Lawal dedicated his time to business ventures and faith-based philanthropy. He was a devoted Muslim and was actively involved in various charitable activities.
AVM Lawal passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Sunday, June 23, 2024, at his home at 13 Maryland Crescent, YET Court, Maryland, Ikeja. Air Commodore Sani Zakari (rtd), the Sergeant At Arms at the National Assembly, confirmed the death to Vanguard, stating that the former minister’s daughter, Mrs. Yinka Enahoro, also confirmed it, noting that his funeral will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024.
“AVM Frank Ajobena (rtd) further informed us that AVM Bayo Lawal passed on in his sleep at the early hours of Sunday, June 23, 2024.”
AVM Lawal is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
