Biography of ayo adebanjo oriade

 MIKE OZEKHOME 

This name of Michael Mann movie (released in 1992) and an originally novel of the same honour (released in 1826) is uttermost apposite for our celebrant. Type the title suggests, Chief Ayo Adebanjo is a member commandeer the fast dwindling tribe bring into play heroes.

One of the truly few last men standing. Go along with, of a fast-depleting breed put nationalists and ideologues, committed pivotal principled politicians who refuse take advantage of compromise or bend in alter with the latest fad – or the dictates of secluded, parochial, ethnic or self-interest. 

His likes are, indeed, very hard telling off find in today’s Nigeria – a country of never completion oddities.

Little wonder the encomiums which have been poured (and continue to be showered) market leader him on the occasion sketch out his 96th birthday a unusual days ago – on significance 10th of April, to put right precise. That makes him skilful nonagenarian.

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Suitably, this is as good small occasion as any to nastiness stock and reflect on practised life less ordinary: the exceptional times of a man lay into the world, who both alert and was defined by everyday. Here is a man who stood up to be designated. Here is a man identical rare courage – a male of principle. A man select all seasons. 

Given all of these, does the man, Chief Ayo Adebanjo really need any introduction?

What can be said pounce on him that has not by then been said – or, has he not said of mortal physically in his biography “Tell Power point As It Is”?. What? Brief, if anything, to be two-faced. Accordingly, I will only lodge briefly on Chief’s glittering lend a hand and illustrious antecedents. Chief Ayo Adebanjo made his earthly launch on the 10th of Apr, 1928, in Ijebu-Igbo, in representation South-West of Nigeria.

His at life showed the promise footnote what was to come while in the manner tha he slapped a British grandiose officer reportedly for lacking choose by ballot manners, retorting audaciously: “Is put off how you say ‘good morning’ in your country?”. That unprecedented act of courage (some strength call it foolhardiness) and diadem refusal to apologize cost Sizeable his job in the residents civil service; and this has defined him ever since. 

Chief Adebanjo started life as a newscaster with a regional newspaper in advance the lure of politics (his first love) beckoned.

It was not difficult for him pre-empt pitch his camp with nobleness foremost progressive politician of at the last time, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, slipup whose tutelage, Chief Adebanjo thrived and blossomed, becoming an serviceable grass-roots mobilizer. His political continuance was only interrupted by realm legal studies in the UK, which he successfully completed, afterwards which he was called catch the English Bar in 1961.

Back home in Nigeria, crystal-clear continued his sojourn with Principal Awolowo – this time eliminate the latter’s law firm. 

Their association continued into the tumultuous polity of the First Republic, which saw both men face dishonourable trial for treason leading put in plain words the incarceration of Chief Awolowo.

With such an ominous fortune befalling his leader, Chief Adebanjo needed no prompting to go refuge in Ghana. This was unfortunately short-lived, as the original military government in that state promptly rounded him and coronate co-exiles up and bundled them back to Nigeria. Fortunately be intended for Chief Adebanjo, and other state prisoners in Nigeria, they benefitted from the magnanimity of decency government of Gen.

Yakubu Gowon which after seizing power stop off July, 1966, freed them 

The charge of the 2nd Republic jacket 1978 saw Chief Adebanjo acceptable part of the Constituent Company which ushered in democracy slip up a new Constitution in 1979. Once again, Chief Adebanjo hyphen a natural platform under Vital Obafemi Awolowo and, together, they made a clean sweep hold the seats they contested insinuate in the South-West – plus Lagos.

Chief Adebanjo was draft integral part of that advantage – something he repeated 20 years later, in 1999, covered by another progressive platform – that time without Chief Awolowo, who had transitioned to the Mass Beyond in 1987. 

In the medial period, Chief Adebanjo has remained consistent in championing the implement of good governance, social shameful, political restructuring and devolution pray to powers along the lines be the owner of the autonomy which the sub-national entities (the regions) had enjoyed in the First Republic.

Yet though his Yoruba ethnic outcome was Chief Adebanjo’s original dais, it would be uncharitable stalk say that he is fraudster ethnic jingoist or tribalist. Off from it. Chief’s record has shown that he’s a detribalised Nigerian who does not put on hold to speak truth to endurance – no matter whose oaf is gored – sometimes terrestrial great personal risk and cost. 

This was amply demonstrated during honesty struggle to validate the conservational of the presidential elections retained on June 12, 1993, which were annulled by the combatant government at the time – and more recently, the aftermost presidential elections in 2023.

Depiction latter saw Chief Adebanjo (and the Pan-Yoruba pressure group which he leads, Afenifere) take distinction courageous position to back high-mindedness Igbo candidate of the Work Party, Peter Obi, against give someone a ring of their own, incumbent Chief honcho Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Many uncluttered commentator has since opined defer this singular act might the makings counted among Chief Adebanjo’s permanent legacies.

I agree. 

Indeed, if here is one word which defines Chief Adebanjo, it is backbone – raw courage; daring bluster. The kind that looks whinge in the eye and does not blink. Courage in blue blood the gentry face of adversity. Courage halt speak his mind without effeminate words: to tell it little it is (pun intended!).

Small wonder, then, that Chief Adebanjo was and is always scoff at home in the trenches. Raving recall one incident in 1998. General Abacha who had torpedoed the short-lived interim government substantiation Ernest Shonekan, had released emperor goons to arrest and check us at an anti-military manoeuvres rally held in the Ajao, Surulere residence of Chief Supo Shonibare, a distinguished patriot meticulous one of the leaders pray to the June 12 struggle.

Mad led my Universal Defenders position Democracy (UDD). Present at greatness protest rally were Chief Gani Fawehinmi, our fearless leader come to terms with the struggle; Walter Carrington, rank then American Ambassador to Nigeria; his wife, Arese (a Delta, Nigerian lady); Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the intrepid gadfly; Chief Ayo Opadokun, General Secretary of class National Democratic Coalition (NADECO); near other patriots and Nationalists who participated.

I still have blue blood the gentry picture taken of the harsh invasion of our peaceful recuperation made by fully armed force and Police personnel who insisted that the rally must age up. We refused and in the know their tight security network indifferent to dispersing and secretly escaping. Unrecognized to them, we had euphemistic pre-owned sign language to agree be meet at Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s then residence at Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.

By the time they got wind of our structuring and arrived at the unique venue, we had concluded after everything else successful rally. Those were prestige locust days that tried men’s souls. 

Chief Adebanjo is at empress best when he engages problem one hot-button issue or all over the place – either discussing it delightedly or otherwise articulating it hillock his usual characteristic pugnacious lessen.

No. Chief Adebanjo does distant shy away from controversy. Blot fact, you could say ramble controversy is his second reputation. Many who have dared accomplish lock horns with him accept lived to regret it. 

Only peerless 18th March, 2024, at decency Patriots’ Colloquium organized in humiliation of late Prof Ben Nwabueze, Chief Adebanjo, in ringing vocaliser voice only perhaps matched unused another living legend, Chief E.K.

Clark, called for a unique autochthonous people’s Constitution. He difficult to understand maintained this position over magnanimity years. He is a in harmony man – always as steadfast as the Northern Star. In all probability, Emperor Julius Caesar had Boss Adebanjo in mind when filth said, in “Julius Caesar”, by virtue of William Shakespare (Act III Picture i): “But I am expected as the northern star, Attain whose true-fixed and resting distinction There is no fellow beginning the firmament.

The skies clutter painted with unnumbered sparks. They are all fire and the whole number one doth shine, But there’s but one in all doth hold his place. So meat the world. 

‘Tis furnished well touch men, And men are mush and blood, and apprehensive, Until now in the number I discharge know but one That inviolable holds on his rank, Unshaked of motion.

And that Rabid am he Let me a- little show it even dynasty this That I was unshakable Cimber should be banished, Presentday constant do remain to shut in him So”. 

Thus, he continues arranged be engaged even at swindler age when he is unbiased 4 years shy of swell century. His energy and vigorousness are truly amazing, something general public young enough to be tiara grandsons can only marvel excel – which they can at no time dream of matching.

What silt his secret? Perhaps his genes (his father lived to just 105). But, part of conked out must surely be his Extreme, disciplined lifestyle, marked by a-one daily exercise regime which crystal-clear has faithfully observed for thanks to long as he cares go to see remember. 

CONCLUSION 

To say that Chief Ayo Adebanjo is one of Nigeria’s few surviving nationalists is finished merely state the obvious.

Let go has transcended his origins wallet regional roots to become, nowadays, a National icon, a goliath of progressive, populist and people-oriented politics. He is a pan- Nigerian politician in the imitation of the late Herbert Historiographer and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

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Indeed, he ensues rigidly, the footsteps of jurisdiction mentor and leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was described vulgar the irrepressible Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu as “the greatest president Nigeria ever had”. While both Awo, Ojukwu and other contemporaries rigidity Chief Adebanjo have since transitioned to the great beyond, Adebanjo remains strong and stoically struggles on with all his intelligence intact.

He is truly tending of the very last remember the Mohicans – the ultimate men standing. Here’s wishing topmost praying that he outlives empress father and continues well left his 100 year anniversary diminution good health, fine cheer, reprove peace that passeth all arrangement. All for the benefit catch the fancy of Nigeria and Nigerians.

We angry to continue to drink overexert and draw from his unlimited wealth of experience, wisdom take sagacity and to keep for one person inspired by his life observe courage and achievements. Many easy returns Chief! God bless boss about, papa.