Ogun names school after Olaniwun Ajayi

THE Ogun State government, on Tuesday, announced the naming of one of his model schools, after the late elder statesman, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, who died on November 4, as a mark of honour for his contribution to the development of humanity.

Stating this was the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at a farewell and commendation service held in memory of the outstanding legal luminary, held at an open ground, at Abeokuta-Sagamu Interchange, Ogun State that the deceased had in no small measure, embraced the ideals of and principles of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in matters affecting the socio-economic development of the Yoruba race.

Amosun noted that Sir Ajayi was a man that abhorred corruption in whatever form in his lifetimes, and that his death was a colossal loss to the entire Yoruba nation, at a period when effort are being made towards achieving the integration and unity of the Yoruba race.

He described his death as a collective loss to the state, in particular and the country in general, because the deceased according to him was a repository of knowledge and a rare gem.

The governor said, “Today, we gather to celebrate the life and times of an illustrious son of Ogun State, a devoted patriarch of the Ajayi Dynasty of Isara Remo, an astute politician, a renowned legal practitioner, and, more importantly a foremost elder statesman.
“Sir Olaniwun Ajayi fully espoused the ideals and principles of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, not only in the matters affecting the socio-economic development of the Yoruba race, but also in any matter that further enhanced the advancement of the cause of the country.
“His words of wisdom and sagacious insights will be sorely missed by his friends and associates within and outside of the Afenifere group at this auspicious moment when Yoruba nation is trying to ensure the unity of her sons and daughters within and outside for the development of the race.”
He said the decision to name a school after him was approved by the executive council of the state and that the model school at Isara, his country home would, henceforth, be called “Sir Olaniwun Ajayi Model School.”

Paying glowing tributes during the short memory was the secretary of the Afenifere, a socio-cultural group, Mr Yinka Odumakin, who said that the late Ajayi dedicated the last few months of his life towards the promotion of unity among the Yoruba race.
He promised that Afenifere would strive to sustain all his good legacies and commended the Ogun State government for bestowing the honour on the deceased.
Also, the Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, said that Pa Olaniwun Ajayi, was a family man to the core and that she learnt how to be a successful family person from him and his late wife, Mama Adunola Ajayi.
She urged the children to keep his good legacies as a devout Christian and a lover of his family.
A close associate of Pa Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, equally lent his voice to the good words spoken about him, describing him (Ajayi) as a loyal and knowledgeable man.
He added that the honour done on him by the state government was well deserved.
For Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi, Pa Ajayi’s Christian life was worthy of emulation.
Those in attendance at the ceremony include the state deputy governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, the state Head of Service, Mr Sola Adeyemi, former governor of Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, the co-chairman ANN Plc, Dr (Mrs) Awolowo Dosumu, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Suraj Ishola, Professor Banji Akintoye ,Professor Biyi Afonja, Mr Tokunbo Ajasin, members of the state Executive Council and members of the House of Assembly.
In the same vein, a brief lying -in -state ceremony was held in the deceased honour at the Methodist Theological Institute (MTI), Sagamu.

In his tribute, the Rector of MTI, Very Rev (Dr) Sunday Onadipe, described Sir Ajayi as a honourable and exceptional man.
He said, “He lived a remarkable life, unique and distinct in countless ways. We cannot produce any exhaustive testimonial about him, but one of the defining aspects of his behaviour and personal propensity, is the ceaseless acknowledgement of the love of God and providence in his life.”