Afenifere leader Olaniwun Ajayi dies at 91

•The late Olaniwun

Eminent lawyer and elder statesman, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, died yesterday aged 91.

He was the oldest member of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, which led in paying tribute to the man it described as a rare leader.

Sir Olaniwun passed on early yesterday, according to a statement issued by the group.

President Muhammadu Buhari,Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and former governor of Ogun State,Otunba Gbenga Daniels also mourned his passage.

Afenifere, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, said: “We received his passage with mixed feelings. We are joyful that in a country with life expectancy of 53, Papa made it to 91, ageing graciously and in good health till the last 24 hours of life when he had to be hospitalised for some health complications.

“We are however sad that his exit has robbed the group of the wealth of experience of a philosopher, prolific writer and memory bag that is irreplaceable.

“One remarkable trait of his life was his consistency in the Awolowo political family where he put almost 70 years of dedicated service as a lieutenant of the sage and one of his worthy successors after his transition.

“Pa Ajayi had a sense of history and lived his life deliberately to make impact on his environment. Either in Afenifere, the National Democratic Coalition, The Patriots and the Methodist Church where he was a Knight, he left his indelible footprints on the sands of time.

“The last days of his life were spent in worries over the state of affairs in Yorubaland in particular and in Nigeria at large.

“He was not just lamenting but he was taking practical steps to find verb for our noun in the syntax of human experience.

“It is hoped that all those involved in such intervention would keep those efforts on as a memorial for this worthy son of Odudiuwa.

“The great man of sound intellect may not have much good news for Awo as they meet in yonder, but the seeds he planted in the last moments of his life must grow to trees that would bear the fruits of freedom.

“While waiting for burial arrangements from the family for the good man of sartorial elegance, it is a promise that we shall pay his shade the right due.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the good family he has left behind, and it is our prayer that the Lord will take his place in their lives.

“Adieu, Papa. Goodnight to a worthy leader.”

Eminent Nigerians pay condolences

President Muhammadu Buhari, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were among prominent Nigerians who expressed sadness over the death of the Afenifere leader in different statements yesterday.

Extending condolences to the family of the late Ajayi and the entire pan-Yoruba socio-political group on the passage of one of its oldest surviving members, Buhari commiserated with the government and people of Ogun State on the death of their illustrious son, author, legal practitioner, elder statesman and nationalist.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari paid glowing tribute to Pa Ajayi’s “inspirational and dedicated work to entrench and strengthen democracy in Nigeria through his passionate engagements in Afenifere, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and the Patriots.”

The President observed that, guided by Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s principle, the late Afenifere leader “effectively combined his sharp commentary on the state of affairs in Nigeria with uncommon patriotism while working tenaciously to further unity, development and prosperity in the nation.”

He urged everyone mourning the late Ajayi to emulate his lifelong commitment to dialogue, democracy and development, which he said are key ingredients for national growth.

The President also prayed that God would comfort the late Pa Ajayi’s family and grant his soul eternal rest.

True Awoist many of us learned from –Tinubu

Mourning the death of the Afenifere leader in a statement issued by Tinubu’s media office yesterday, the APC National Leader described the late Ajayi as a true Awoist who taught many of the younger generations of politicians, including himself, the doctrines of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The former Lagos State governor noted that the late legal luminary left behind enduring legacies.

He said: “The news of the passage of one of our foremost leaders in Yorubaland and a national icon, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, on Friday, November 4, 2016, left me distraught. He was one of the very few we had left to guide our path with wisdom.

“Though Sir Olaniwun Ajayi passed on at 91, which can be said to be a ripe age, we never ever want our elders to leave us. He was a highly revered leader, a democrat irrevocably committed to constitutional democracy and who worked tirelessly for what he believed in.

“He made tremendous contributions to true federalism and restructuring of Nigeria’s over-centralised federal system.

“Chief Ajayi was a true Awoist who truly believed in the doctrines of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and taught these doctrines to many of us new generation of politicians.

“A great mentor, teacher, leader, he was a man who believed in his Christian values, such that he was honoured with the knighthood of Methodist Church.

“His commitment to the unity of the Yoruba race is perhaps unparalleled.

“Chief Olaniwun Ajayi was part of the entire leadership of Afenifere who honoured me with a visit recently in Lagos, where they renewed their call for unity and understanding among the Yoruba race and the entrenchment of progressive ideology in the country.

“During that visit, we joked about Sir Olaniwun Ajayi aging gracefully and he and Papa Fasoranti said they would not want to die without continuing to push for unity and progress of Nigeria based on true federalism. They enjoined us to continue to work for the attainment of the two ideals.

“He lived an exemplary life. He partly founded his education, paying for his college while teaching, until he proceeded to the United Kingdom to study Law. He attended the London School of Economics and Political Science.

“His was a life of service to his family, his people and the nation at large. As a legal practitioner, he used the instrument of the law in pursuit of what he believed in.

“His reputable law firm, Olaniwun Ajayi and Co., had a track record of handling and winning laudable cases in politics and economy. It was a pan-African law firm with offices in key African cities and its lawyers versed in multiple jurisdictions.

“Over the years, the firm provided legal services to some of the biggest corporations in Africa and across the globe.

“I extend my condolences to the entire Afenifere family; to Baba Ayo Adebanjo, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, and others. May God Almighty spare their lives for us.

“I mourn the passing of Chief Ajayi, but I’m happy that he left us with his enduring legacies. He remains our hero both in life and in death.

“A great father and family man, my heart goes out to his family, particularly his four children. I console them and urge them to continue to uphold the legacies of the late Chief Olaniwun Ajayi”.

He was a patriot, says Atiku

Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, in a statement issued by his media office yesterday, described the deceased Ajayi as a patriot whose exit will create a void that will be difficult to fill.

Atiku said he was shocked at the announcement of the death of the Yoruba leader, noting that Ajayi’s convincing advocacy of a restructured Nigeria was the noble signature he left behind.

According to the Turakin Adamawa, “Pa Olaniwun Ajayi was a patriot you could rely upon. His advocacy for true federalism and for respect for human dignity will be a signature he left behind.”

The former Vice President prayed for the repose of the soul of the elder statesman while commisserating with family and the government and people of Ogun State on the loss of an illustrious leader.