Nigeria And Loss Of Her Legends

Nigeria And Loss Of Her Legends

Last month February, apart from being a month of a harsh and intimidating weather, has left the nation in the throes of mourning for the death of her illustrious sons and daughters.

Mention could be made of Mrs. Ebun Oyagbola, a ninety three year old astute politician and diplomat.

Ebum Oyagbola was best known for being the first female cabinet Minister in Nigeria upon her appointment in 1979, as a Minister of National Planning under President Shehu Shagari’s led administration.

She was a native of Igan Alade in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Ebum Oyagbola later served meritoriously as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Mexican States of Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala.

Also, on the death roll last month was Anike Agbaje Williams, A notable journalist.

Anike Agbaje Williams was a pioneer staff of the then Western Nigeria Television, WNTV.

She was the first person to appear on television broadcast in the country and was the first female broadcaster the nation produced.

A disciplinarian, she died at the age of 88.As if that was not enough, death again hit the air waves in February, and took away the Kogi born pioneer broadcast expert, Tom Adaba.

The name Tom Adaba was synonymous with the media and broadcasting industry in Nigeria that people hardly remember that he was a professor.

Beyond broadcasting, Tom Adaba’s mark as an outstanding teacher, driving leader, and generous philanthropist cannot be quantified.

Another notable Nigerian that fell into the cold arms of death last month was Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

He was born in April 1928, in Ijebu Ogbu now Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Ayo Adebanjo was a lawyer, nationalist and co-founder of Afenifere, a socio-cultural Organisation of the Yorubas.

A devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his contributions spanned political era, from his role as organizing secretary of the Action Group, AG in the first Republic to his leadership in the unity party of Nigeria, UPN in the second Republic.

Chief Adebanjo was a political leader whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy and national unity have left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.

His principled voice, which resonated through decades of political activism, will be deeply missed.

Another personality the nation lost last month was Chief Edwin Clark.

He was an Ijaw leader and politician from Delta State.

He died just a week after the death of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a phenomena that left many tongues wagging as why the closeness in death of the two titans. Born in Kiagbodo in the Ijaw area of what is now Delta State.

Chief Clark featured prominently in Nigeria’s development and political history.

His involvement in the Nigerian political process begun during the pre-independence era where he served as Councilor, member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, NCNC, member of the National Party of Nigeria, NPN.

He was an elected Senator and many other political positions.

For the duo of Adebanjo and Clark, their patriotism shined through their utterances and actions.

Their sense for national development defied ethnicity, religion and tribe.

They relished on diversity, preached incisiveness, social justice, equity and fairness.

They both shared the same political, economic and social ideologies while alive, no wonder they were born months apart and died days apart.

Though, these eminent Nigerians have given up the ghost, they have hung their boots for national struggle and emancipation, but their work still speaks for them.

The best way to keep their memories alive is to ensure that the present generation which they have fought, suffered and struggled for, preserve their legacies in truth and oneness.

By Olufemi Fulani, Edited By Grace Namiji

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