Chief Ayo Adebanjo: Life, times and impacts

By Chinedu OkekeFrench philosopher, writer and social theorist, Simon de Beauvoir, once captured the human journey thus: “every living moment is a sliding towards death.”Like him, Punch columnist, Tunde Odesola, in a 2018 essay titled: ‘Obasanjo ambushes Soyinka on Olumo Rock,’ painted a picture of the never-ending struggles between contradictions. googletag.

cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0'); }); He expressed: “Humanity oscillates between extreme opposites; darkness paints the beauty of light; fear skirts the periphery of bravery; ugliness envies beauty; falsehood stalks truth, death ambushes life; good wrestles evil; all in an everlasting tussle.



”In fact, Christians holy book, the Bible, explains this inherent balance in Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, stating: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”Though Baba Ayo Adebanjo’s watch in the land of the living has ended, everyone who crossed paths with him on this side must take solace in the fact that his 96 years were extremely impactful as his best days were long and spectacular. $(document).

ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); Virtually every one of his 96 years was marked by purpose and principle as well as commitment and fairness to an egalitarian society.

Early lifeIn 1950, Chief Ayo Adebanjo started his career in public service, when he took a clerical role in the Ministry of Health in Lagos.At the time, he was posted to a department charged with registering births and deaths.But what began as a routine civil service job was soon disrupted by his deepening involvement in anti-colonial protests, which ultimately led to his dismissal.

Adebanjo’s political awakening had started even earlier, in 1943, when he became a Zikist, a loyal disciple of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and an active participant in the growing movement for Nigeria’s independence. $(document).

ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); Between 1947 and 1953, he worked as a journalist with the Nigerian Tribune, a paper founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Awolowo, who would later become the leader of the Action Group, AG, used the Tribune as both a platform and a tool in his political battles. It was within the pages of this newspaper that Adebanjo sharpened his writing skills, political thinking and rights advocacy.His stint in journalism eventually opened the door to full-time politics.

Adebanjo joined the youth wing of the Action Group and rose to become its organising secretary. This period laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to justice, equity, and the restructuring of Nigeria’s political framework.Disciplined, intellectually curious and guided by a strong sense of social justice, Adebanjo was heavily influenced by Nigerian finest nationalists – Azikiwe and Awolowo.

While they represented different political traditions, both leaders shaped his nationalist ideals, which became evidential as he got older. $(document).ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.

adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); In 1953, Adebanjo left Nigeria for the United Kingdom to study law, a decision motivated by his desire to arm himself with the intellectual tools necessary to advocate for federalism, constitutional governance, and social justice back home.He completed his legal studies and was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1961.

TravailsFor a man with strong convictions on what he sees as a just cause, it did not matter to Pa Adebanjo that personal sacrifices would be made in the pursuit of what he believes to be just.Not for him the deflection to sentiments fueled by the pursuit of filthy lucre.During the First Republic, Second Republic, Ibrahim Babangid’s ill-fated Third Republic and this Fourth Republic, Pa Adebanjo had always spoken his mind and made sacrifices in the pursuit of justice and fairness.

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push({})}); Intent on forging a united southern front, his involvement in the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, as well as his presence and support for activities of Ohannaeze Ndigbo and the Middle Belt Forum, presented Pa Adebanjo as an individual in whose mind the need for southern unity took primacy of place.Uniquely, during the run up to the 2023 presidential elections, Pa Adebanjo aupppoeted Peter Obi, an Igbo, of Labour Party, LP, against Bola Tinubu, a Yoruba son.He premised his decision on the need to ensure that the Igbos are meant to be properly integrated politically.

DeathHaving passed on at the age of 96 at his Lekki residence in Lagos, there was an outpouring of grief over his demise.Elder statesman Tanko Yakasai, who conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the entire members of the family, described the death as a colossal loss not only to the immediate members of his family and the entire Yaruba people but to the entire country, Nigeria. $(document).

ready(function(){(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})}); He said: “A dedicated patriot, Chief Adebanjo was a committed nationalist who maintained cordial relationships with other fellow Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.

”On his part, a South-West Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Ambassador Olufemi Oguntoyinbo, stated that the country has lost yet another true nationalist and great politician.He said: Baba was an epitome of truth and a passionate advocate of true federalism, restructuring, and devolution of powers, which are the only workable templates of effective governance, political stability, and more peaceful coexistence in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious society such as Nigeria.”He also played a greater role in the formation and activities of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, which fought for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993, presidential election believed to have been won by the late business mogul, Chief M.

K. O. Abiola.

”Meanwhile, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 polls, Peter Obi, said: “The last time I spoke with him, his words left a lasting impression: ‘Always stand on the path of justice.’ That advice remains a guiding principle in my life, and I reaffirm my commitment to upholding it in honour of his memory. In my association with Pa Adebanjo, I come to appreciate Nelson Mandela’s words, like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.

“As we mourn his departure, let us also celebrate a life well-lived in service to humanity and commit ourselves to upholding the values he so passionately championed. May his death not be in vain. “Instead, let it serve as a renewed call to action for all who believe in justice and FAIRNESS.

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push({})}); • Okeke is a public policy consultant based in AbujaThe post Chief Ayo Adebanjo: Life, times and impacts appeared first on The Sun Nigeria..