The senator representing Lagos West at the National Assembly, Solomon Adeola, on Tuesday, said that the late chieftain of Afenifere, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, stood for the protection of Yoruba nation during his lifetime.
He made this known during his condolence visit to the Isara-Remo, country home of the late foremost lawyer and elder statesman, who, according to him, was an advocate that the Yoruba nation must not be short-changed in the scheme of things in the country.
The lawmaker, who was received by two sons of the deceased, Dr Ola Ajayi and Professor Konyin Ajayi, noted that Yoruba people, irrespective of political affiliations, must come together and work for its growth and development.
“What Baba is preaching to us in protecting the hegemony of the Yoruba is simply that we should continue to hold ourselves together. We should continue to look at regional integration in the South-West as a region.”
Also, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, lauded the virtue of late Olaniwun Ajayi, describing him as a true Yoruba leader who “ardently held on to the beliefs and principles of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Obasa said this during the Tuesday’s plenary of the House, as members observed a minute silence for the late Olaniwun who died on November 4 at the age of 91.
Obasa noted that the late Olaniwun’s wisdom in helping to direct the course of the Yoruba nation would remain indelible in the annals of the race.
He further described the late chieftain as a leader who never allowed partisan politics to becloud his judgements.
Meanwhile, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has averred that the service of Sir Olaniwun Ajayi to the Yoruba race and Nigeria was invaluable.
ARG, in a condolence message signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, decried that the nation had lost another rare gem, who epitomised the values of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The group noted that it took solace in the fact that Olaniwun lived an enviable life of service to Nigerians and left behind a rich legacy for humanity at large.
Furthermore, ARG described Olaniwun as a worthy Yoruba icon and dogged advocate of true federalism in Nigeria.
“The news of his death came to us at the burial of another Awolowo disciple, Baba Ibidapo Awojolu, who was the chairman of Afenifere, Ekiti State chapter. It is sad that we are losing our rare gems at a time we need them most.”
“Sir Ajayi’s service to Yorubaland and Nigeria, which he continued to render until his death, was invaluable and would be sorely missed.”