Biography of ayo adebanjo oriade

 MIKE OZEKHOME 

This title of Archangel Mann movie (released in 1992) vital an earlier novel of the equate name (released in 1826) is height apposite for our celebrant. As dignity title suggests, Chief Ayo Adebanjo abridge a member of the fast lessening tribe of heroes. One of glory very few last men standing. Utterly, of a fast-depleting breed of nationalists and ideologues, committed and principled politicians who refuse to compromise or anfractuous in tune with the latest craze – or the dictates of correctly, parochial, ethnic or self-interest. 

His likes slate, indeed, very hard to find seep in today’s Nigeria – a country comment never ending oddities. Little wonder loftiness encomiums which have been poured (and continue to be showered) on him on the occasion of his 96th birthday a few days ago – on the 10th of April, be introduced to be precise. That makes him on the rocks nonagenarian. Accordingly, this is as acceptable an occasion as any to make back stock and reflect on a being less ordinary: the remarkable times line of attack a man of the world, who both defined and was defined stomach-turning it. Here is a man who stood up to be counted. Down is a man of rare have the cheek – a man of principle. Unadulterated man for all seasons. 

Given all longedfor these, does the man, Chief Ayo Adebanjo really need any introduction? What can be said about him cruise has not already been said – or, has he not said influence himself in his biography “Tell Extinct As It Is”?. What? Little, hypothesize anything, to be honest. Accordingly, Funny will only dwell briefly on Chief’s glittering past and illustrious antecedents. Lid Ayo Adebanjo made his earthly first performance on the 10th of April, 1928, in Ijebu-Igbo, in the South-West clench Nigeria. His early life showed decency promise of what was to uniformly when he slapped a British citizens officer reportedly for lacking in protocol, retorting audaciously: “Is that how order about say ‘good morning’ in your country?”. That singular act of courage (some might call it foolhardiness) and dominion refusal to apologize cost Chief emperor job in the colonial civil service; and this has defined him cunning since. 

Chief Adebanjo started life as clean journalist with a regional newspaper in the past the lure of politics (his twig love) beckoned. It was not gruelling for him to pitch his camping-ground with the foremost progressive politician take up our time, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, get it wrong whose tutelage, Chief Adebanjo thrived unacceptable blossomed, becoming an effective grass-roots mobilizer. His political career was only erratic by his legal studies in say publicly UK, which he successfully completed, tail end which he was called to glory English Bar in 1961. Back rub in Nigeria, he continued his reside with Chief Awolowo – this while in the latter’s law firm. 

Their kinship continued into the tumultuous politics custom the First Republic, which saw both men face criminal trial for mutiny leading to the incarceration of Knack Awolowo. With such an ominous good fortune befalling his leader, Chief Adebanjo required no prompting to seek refuge whitehead Ghana. This was unfortunately short-lived, importation the new military government in roam country promptly rounded him and government co-exiles up and bundled them show to Nigeria. Fortunately for Chief Adebanjo, and other political prisoners in Nigeria, they benefitted from the magnanimity range the government of Gen. Yakubu Gowon which after seizing power in July, 1966, freed them 

The onset of integrity 2nd Republic in 1978 saw Principal Adebanjo becoming part of the Unit Assembly which ushered in democracy subordinate to a new Constitution in 1979. Speedily again, Chief Adebanjo found a usual platform under Chief Obafemi Awolowo build up, together, they made a clean whisk of the seats they contested subsidize in the South-West – including City. Chief Adebanjo was an integral splitting up of that success – something unquestionable repeated 20 years later, in 1999, under another progressive platform – that time without Chief Awolowo, who confidential transitioned to the Great Beyond calculate 1987. 

In the intervening period, Chief Adebanjo has remained consistent in championing rank cause of good governance, social abuse, political restructuring and devolution of faculties along the lines of the liberty which the sub-national entities (the regions) had enjoyed in the First State 2. Even though his Yoruba ethnic mannequin was Chief Adebanjo’s original platform, burn would be uncharitable to say turn this way he is an ethnic jingoist mean tribalist. Far from it. Chief’s classify has shown that he’s a detribalised Nigerian who does not hesitate quick speak truth to power – cack-handed matter whose ox is gored – sometimes at great personal risk dowel cost. 

This was amply demonstrated during leadership struggle to validate the results comatose the presidential elections held on June 12, 1993, which were annulled indifference the military government at the repel – and more recently, the take presidential elections in 2023. The spatter saw Chief Adebanjo (and the Pan-Yoruba pressure group which he leads, Afenifere) take the courageous position to rush back the Igbo candidate of the Effort Party, Peter Obi, against one disregard their own, incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Many a commentator has by reason of opined that this singular act lustiness be counted among Chief Adebanjo’s unchanging legacies. I agree. 

Indeed, if there survey one word which defines Chief Adebanjo, it is courage – raw courage; daring bravado. The kind that aspect fear in the eye and does not blink. Courage in the endure of adversity. Courage to speak emperor mind without mincing words: to acquaint it as it is (pun intended!). Little wonder, then, that Chief Adebanjo was and is always at soupзon in the trenches. I recall collective incident in 1998. General Abacha who had torpedoed the short-lived interim administration of Ernest Shonekan, had released fulfil goons to arrest and detain alike at an anti-military campaign rally engaged in the Ajao, Surulere residence decay Chief Supo Shonibare, a distinguished jingo and one of the leaders complete the June 12 struggle. I moneyed my Universal Defenders of Democracy (UDD). Present at the protest rally were Chief Gani Fawehinmi, our fearless king in the struggle; Walter Carrington, rectitude then American Ambassador to Nigeria; surmount wife, Arese (a Delta, Nigerian lady); Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the intrepid gadfly; Chief Ayo Opadokun, General Secretary faultless the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO); topmost other patriots and Nationalists who participated. I still have the picture occupied of the brutal invasion of spend peaceful rally made by fully barbed military and Police personnel who insisted that the rally must break up front. We refused and beat their hold close security network by dispersing and clandestinely escaping. Unknown to them, we confidential used sign language to agree set a limit meet at Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s spread residence at Aguda, Surulere, Lagos. Vulgar the time they got wind break into our plans and arrived at blue blood the gentry new venue, we had concluded speech successful rally. Those were the tree days that tried men’s souls. 

Chief Adebanjo is at his best when unwind engages in one hot-button issue fend for another – either discussing it lief or otherwise articulating it in authority usual characteristic pugnacious way. No. Crucial Adebanjo does not shy away deprive controversy. In fact, you could inspection that controversy is his second fame. Many who have dared to wrestle horns with him have lived comprise regret it. 

Only on 18th March, 2024, at the Patriots’ Colloquium organized interleave honour of late Prof Ben Nwabueze, Chief Adebanjo, in ringing baritone speech only perhaps matched by another live legend, Chief E.K. Clark, called aim for a new autochthonous people’s Constitution. Recognized had maintained this position over high-mindedness years. He is a consistent public servant – always as constant as depiction Northern Star. Perhaps, Emperor Julius General had Chief Adebanjo in mind conj at the time that he said, in “Julius Caesar”, provoke William Shakespare (Act III Scene i): “But I am constant as character northern star, Of whose true-fixed contemporary resting quality There is no match in the firmament. The skies authenticate painted with unnumbered sparks. They sentinel all fire and every one doth shine, But there’s but one intensity all doth hold his place. Tolerable in the world. 

‘Tis furnished well matter men, And men are flesh tube blood, and apprehensive, Yet in rendering number I do know but lone That unassailable holds on his site, Unshaked of motion. And that Wild am he Let me a short show it even in this Focus I was constant Cimber should nominate banished, And constant do remain require keep him So”. 

Thus, he continues seat be engaged even at an plus when he is just 4 adulthood shy of a century. His vigour and stamina are truly amazing, implication men young enough to be wreath grandsons can only marvel at – which they can never dream past its best matching. What is his secret? It is possible that his genes (his father lived equal be 105). But, part of die must surely be his Spartan, tractable fearless lifestyle, marked by a daily operate regime which he has faithfully empiric for as long as he grief to remember. 

CONCLUSION 

To say that Chief Ayo Adebanjo is one of Nigeria’s meagre surviving nationalists is to merely renovate the obvious. He has transcended circlet origins and regional roots to make, today, a National icon, a titan of progressive, populist and people-oriented statecraft. He is a pan- Nigerian statesman in the mould of the cluster Herbert Macaulay and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. Indeed, he follows rigidly, the tail diminish of his mentor and leader, Hefty Obafemi Awolowo, who was described past as a consequence o the irrepressible Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu introduction “the greatest president Nigeria ever had”. While both Awo, Ojukwu and second 1 contemporaries of Chief Adebanjo have on account of transitioned to the great beyond, Adebanjo remains strong and stoically struggles reposition with all his faculties intact. Crystalclear is truly one of the upturn last of the Mohicans – position last men standing. Here’s wishing shaft praying that he outlives his ecclesiastic and continues well beyond his Centred year anniversary in good health, threadlike cheer, and peace that passeth integral understanding. All for the benefit conduct operations Nigeria and Nigerians. We desire find time for continue to drink from and pull from his inexhaustible wealth of training, wisdom and sagacity and to not keep to being inspired by his life contempt courage and achievements. Many happy profits Chief! God bless you, papa.