NAN-H-84
Ajayi
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, has described the death of a chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi, as great loss to Yoruba race and the nation as a whole.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, media aide to the governor on Friday in Osogbo.
Aregbesola said the late frontline politician believed and worked for the progress of the Yoruba race and the country as a whole.
The governor also described the late politician as a giant and one of the surviving disciples of the Awolowo school of thought.
He said like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Ajayi advocated for true federalism and resource control as panacea for the political imbalances in the country.
According to the governor, the late politician was one of the best the country had produced as he never wavered in his political philosophy until his demise.
“He was a politician of high repute and clout.
“His political horizon spread across the country and beyond. He was a giant in the battle for a better Nigeria.
“All his life, he defined his politics and pitted his tent early in life with the progressive school.
“Even after the demise of the late sage and when others abandoned the Awoist camp for other political philosophy, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi remained steadily on the Awo progressive track.
“He was, till he breathed his last, very consummate about the progress and development of Nigeria as well as that of the Yoruba race,’’ he said.
Aregbesola said the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole would miss his wealth of experience.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that late Ajayi who was born in Isara Remo, Ogun on April 8, 1925, died on Friday at the age of 91. (NAN)
VE/AK/SOA
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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Oluwole Sogunle