Fasoranti, other Afenifere leaders eulogise Adebanjo as patriot par excellence
Personalities within the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Sunday, gathered at the Lekki, Lagos residence of one of its leaders, Ayodele Adebanjo, who passed into glory on Friday, February 14, 2025. Age 97.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said the national leader, Reuben Fasoranti, described his erstwhile deputy as “a patriot par excellence.”
Among those who gathered at Adebanjo’s Lagos home were members of Afenifere Worldwide of all persuasions, prominent Yoruba citizens, and former and incumbent officials of the organisation from various states, as well as some former state governors.
Fasoranti, represented by the former Governor of Ondo State, Segun Mimiko, expressed his condolences to the family members and prayed that the good legacies of Adebanjo would continue to thrive.
“Pa Fasoranti said that although he was not physically present here at this event, I am fully with you spiritually.”
He said his 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.
“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 the Afenifere fold that made notable people 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, the former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, described “Adebanjo as a leader whose contributions cannot be forgotten.
“Adebanjo’s commitment to egalitarianism and a truly Federal Nigeria is something those of us left behind must keep pursuing vigorously.”
Asiwaju of Yewa, Samuel Ibikunle, also eulogised Adebanjo and urged youths to learn from the good virtues of elders so that their paths in life can be smooth.
Secretary General of Afenifere, Ademola Folarin, said, “Adebanjo was a great leader and a highly notable patriot who will not be forgotten.”
Others who spoke, including Wale Oshun, Ayo Opadokun and others, underscored Adebanjo’s tenacity, doggedness and steadfastness in whatever he believed in.
