NAN-H-135
Adebayo
By Ariwodola Idowu
Ado- Ekiti, March 8, 2017 (NAN) Oba John Ademola Ajakaiye, monarch of Iyin-Ekiti, hometown of late Gen. Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, has extolled the virtues of the late former Governor of defunct Western State of Nigeria.
The Oba, a pioneer Chief Judge of Ekiti State and former Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, told newsmen at his palace on Wednesday that he was devastated by the news of his death.
He commiserated with the family and Nigerians on the death of Adebayo, who is also the patriarch of Adebayo family.
NAN reports that this is coming just as Ekiti State Government expressed shock at his demise.
Oba Ajakaiye described late Adebayo as a patriot, nationalist and great Nigerian who was one of the oldest surviving generals of the Nigerian Army.
According to the monarch, late Adebayo’s tenure as military governor of old Western Region and later Western State was instrumental to the rapid development of the area.
‘‘He served as the Military Governor of Western Region in 1966. It was while he was governor of that region that he was instrumental to provision of some essential infrastructure in Ekiti.
‘‘He created Ekiti into four divisions: Ekiti South, Ekiti Central, Ekiti North and Ekiti West, with Ado-Ekiti as the capital.
‘‘Because of this step, Ekiti was able to develop rapidly in all rounds rather than merely developing as a division.
‘‘This gave birth to further development. He was a nationalist and a very disciplined man as a military man.
‘‘Former President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) was his Aide De Camp.
‘‘President Buhari also worked with him, so did Gen. Theophilus Danjuma.
‘‘He was the leader of the Yoruba Council of Elders. He wasn’t a tribalist and believed in the Nigerian Project.
“After serving as Western state Governor, he went to Kaduna to head the Military Training School where soldiers were trained; he once led the Nigerian troop to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
‘‘He was a father figure to all governors in Ekiti.
‘‘His departure is though a great loss, but we give thanks for his life. We are not mourning but celebrating his transition.
‘‘As a Christian he has only departed into glory. We recently honoured him by naming a Church after him.
‘‘He was a governor of the state and had his son as governor of the same state; no Nigeria has had such a record.
‘‘He gave approval for the establishment of the Eyemote Comprehensive High School in Iyin 50 years ago. Although, he lived in Lagos, he was always coming home.
“He was a traditional chieftaincy title holder in our town as Chief Aro of Iyin.
‘‘He was always participating in anything that concerns the town and was always around during the community’s day celebration.’’
Also, Gov. Ayo Fayose in a statement, described Adebayo’s demise as the worse incident to happen to the state in recent times.
The governor said the state would miss his fatherly role as an unbiased umpire, trying to bring everybody together under one roof no matter the political differences.
A former Governorship Candidate and top indigene of the town, Mr Michael Bamidele, said the death of Adebayo had created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
Adebayo was the former governor of the now defunct Western State of Nigeria, 1966–1971. He became governor after Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi’s death in the 1966 coup d’état
Adebayo was born March9, 1928 and retired from the Nigeria Army as a major general in 1975.
Adebayo became an officer in 1953, Platoon Commander, 1954-1955 and Regimental signal officer, 1955-1957.
Between 1957 and 1958, he was an aide-de-camp to a British governor-general (the last British governor-general of Nigeria– Sir James Robertson-1957)
He was a Company and Detachment Commander, Ikoyi, 1958 to 1960
Adebayo was the first Nigerian General Staff Officer, Grade 2 (Intelligence) at the United Nations Headquarters in 1961
He was the first National General Staff Officer, Grade 2 Nigerian Army Headquarters, 1961–1962
Also, he was the first Nigerian to be appointed General Staff Officer Grade 1, 1962–1963, Commander, Nigerian contingent in the Congo, 1963
He served as staff officer in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force during the Congo crisis, 1961–1963.
He was the Chief of staff, Nigerian Army Headquarters, February 1964 – November 1965.
Adebayo was the first indigenous Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army.
Also, he was the Chairman, Organinisation of African Unity (OAU) Defence Planning Committee, 1963–1965 and Head of Nigerian delegation to the OAU Summit in Ethiopia, November 1966.
Adebayo was the Military Governor, Western Nigeria, 1966–1971, Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy, 1971–1972.
He was given ceremonial military duties, 1972–1975 and retired from the Nigerian Army with the rank of Major-General, July 1975.
Adebayo was one of the founders of and Vice Chairman of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) 1979–1983.
He died in Lagos on the eve of his 89th birthday. (NAN)
ARIS/MOL/MO
==========Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Morayo Omolade