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Chief Ayo Adebanjo, his wife & Governor Abiola Ajimobi |
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Senator Abiola Ajimobi |
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Prof. Yemi Osinbajo |
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Kunle Bakare |
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Olori Ladun Sijuwade |
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Chief Mrs Nike Akande |
Chief Ayo Adebanjo is no doubt one of the fathers of Nigeria. It's like the elder stateman has been around forever. He has remained constant and consistent in his principles and belief all of this many decades, 9 decades to be more precise, having being born on April 10, 1928 in Ijebu, in fact Odogbolu LGA, in Ogun State to be more accurate.
Imagine that if any truly deserves to be called a nationalist, this great Nigerian deserves that accolade for just causes. He was born before the independence and he was there at the very beginning with the best of them, one of who was the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the former premier of Western Region. So close was he to the great Nigerian leader and former premier that when Chief Awolowo was indicted then on treasonable felony charges, he was one of those accused with him and so was also arrested and detained. He had worked at Chief Obafemi Awolowo's paper National Tribune before, under the late Chief Bisi Onabanjo, who later went on to become the Governor of Ogun State.
He later went to the UK for further studies and returned as a qualified lawyer and again worked for Chief Awolowo in his law chambers. It was from here that he was recruited as a member of the Action Group. When the crisis in the western region began and escalated, he was one of those affected and he was also in exile in Ghana with Chief Awolowo. Before they were recalled by the Gowon administration.
Chief Ayo Adebanjo was also one of the founding fathers of the UPN, formed by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and some of his associates then. He is a successful lawyer and one of the founding fathers of the Afenifere.
On the occasion of his 90th birthday celebrations it was like the bigwigs of Nigeria both in politics, Governance and otherwise poured in torrents to felicitate with him. Some of those in attendance included the likes of the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, 2 Governors-Osun's Rauf Aregbesola, Oyo's Abiola Ajimobi, Ogun's Ibikunle Amosun, ex-Governors Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniels, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Niyi Adebayo and very many others like HRM, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, Osile Oke Ona Egba, Karunwi III, Jimi Agbaje, Tunde Ayeni, Biodun Shobanjo, Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Alex Duduyemi, AIG (rtd) Tunji Alapini, Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade, Kola Abiola, Sam Amuka Pemu, Dame Abimbola Fashola, Alabi Tonye Graham Douglas, Odion Ajumogobia, SAN, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Aare Ona Kakanfo, Chief Gani Adams, Sir Emeka Anyaoku, Kunle Bakare, Chief Mrs. Nike Akande, Olori Ladun Sijuwade, Pastor Tunde Bakare & wife, Muiz Banire, Chief Harry Akande, Chief Olu Falae, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Oloruninbe Mamora, Alani Akinrinade and very many others.
There was first a church thanksgiving service and then thereafter a reception at Chief Adebanjo's country home residence all in Ijebu.
More after the break.