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AFENIFERE, a Yoruba cultural association, has mourned the passing away of Olaniwun Ajayi, its oldest surviving member, who died in the early hours of Friday, November 4, at the age of 91.
In a statement signed by Yinka Odumakin, publicity secretary of Afenifere, the group said it received the passage of Ajayi with mixed feelings. “We are joyful that in a country with life expectancy of 53, Papa made it to 91 aging graciously and in good health till the last 24 hours of life when he had to be hospitalised for some health complication.
“We are, however, sad that his exit has robbed the group of the wealth of experience of a philosopher, prolific writer and memory bag that is irreplaceable,” the statement said.
It recalled that one remarkable trait of Ajayi;s life was his consistency in the Awolowo political family where he put almost 70 years of dedicated service as a lieutenant of the sage and one of his worthy successors after his transition.
The statement said further: “He had a sense of history and lived his life deliberately to make impact on his environment.
“Either in Afenifere, the National Democratic Coalition, The Patriots and the Methodist Church where he was a Knight, he left his indelible footprints on the sand of time.
“The last days of his life were spent in worries over the state of affairs in Yorubaland in particular and in Nigeria at large. He was not just lamenting but he was taking practical steps to find verb for our noun in the syntax of human experience.
“It is hoped that all those involved in such intervention would keep those efforts on as a memorial for this worthy son of Oduduwa.
“The great man of sound intellect may not have much good news for AWO as they meet in yonder but the seeds he planted in the last moments of his life must grow to trees that would bear the fruits of freedom.”
The group condoled and prayed for Ajayi’s family, promising that his place in the history of the Yoruba would accorded its due respect. The family is still being expected to announce the burial arrangements.
— Nov 14, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT
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