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The pan Yoruba sociocultural organisation, Afenifere, has recounted the contributions of late Pa Ayo Adebanjo, stressing that the elder statesman has united the organisation in death.
According to the group, various tendencies within the pan-Yoruba sociocultural and sociopolitical organisation on Sunday, February 23, gathered at the Lekki, Lagos residence of one of its leaders, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo, who passed into glory on Friday, February 14, 2025.
This was confirmed by the National Publicity of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi in a press statement made available to journalists on Sunday.
“Among those who gathered at Adebanjo’s Lagos home were members of Afenifere Worldwide of all persuasions, prominent Yoruba citizens as well as former and incumbent officials of the organization from various states as well as some former states’ governors.
“A one-time acting Leader of Afenifere, Chief Adebanjo, was a well-respected top-leader of the organisation and a strong voice within the Nigeria firmament.
Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Segun Mimiko, delivered the message of the organization’s
“National leader, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR, who described his erstwhile deputy as ‘a patriot par excellence!’
“According to Dr. Mimiko, Pa Fasoranti again expressed his condolences to the family members and prayed that the good legacies of Pa Adebanjo will continue to thrive.
“Pa Fasoranti said that although he was not physically present here at this event, he is fully with us here spiritually”, Mimiko added.
Fasoranti went further to say that Adebanjo’s contributions during the struggle for Nigeria’s independence as well as during struggles for the restoration and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria shall remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history. And that he “was an unrelenting ideologue who fought for several noble causes under the auspices of Afenifere where he was Acting Leader and a pillar of support. He was certainly a patriot par excellence”.
“It was due to his huge reputation within and outside of Afenifere fold that made notable people to gather in Lekki to formally commiserate with the immediate and extended families of the deceased and to reiterate their determination to have a rejuvenated Afenifere. They also expressed commitment to the progress of Yorubaland and a truly federal Nigeria.
“Also speaking on the occasion, former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, described late Pa Adebanjo as a leader whose contributions can not be forgotten.
“According to Fayemi, Adebanjo’s commitment to egalitarianism and a truly federal Nigeria is “something those of us left behind must keep pursuing vigorously”.
Asiwaju of Yewa, Otunba Samuel Ibikunle also eulogised Adebanjo and urged youths to learn from the good virtues of elders so that thier paths in life can be smooth.
“Secretary General of Afenifere, Agbaakin Ademola Folarin, said that Chief Adebanjo ‘was a great leader and a highly notable patriot who will not be forgotten’.
The gathering was the first of its kind in recent time in which various tendencies within the organization would assemble on the same spot and perhaps at the same time.
“Watchers observed that Adebanjo’s death sort of united tendencies (which some outside the body called ‘factions’) as representatives of various Yoruba organisations were at the event.
Others who spoke, including Chief Wale Oshun, Chief Ayo Opadokun etc., underscored Adebanjo’s tenacity, doggedness and steadfastness in whatever he believed in.
‘The family of the late nonanegarian expressed appreciation for the honour done to thier patriarch.
They gave an assurance that the good legacies of their father would be sustained.”
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