A former Oyo Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government, Chief Bisi Adesola, on Thursday eulogised the late Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi as a worthy National Hero to be referenced as a case study in the quest for Nigeria’s Unity anchored on good leadership.
Dr. Adesola gave this commendation at the national discourse in honour of the late Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, with the theme: “Fajuyi: Essential Values for National Leadership.”
The event, which celebrated the life and legacy of Fajuyi as a model of sacrificial leadership, hosted by the Ibadan Discourse Group which took place at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
In his remarks, Chief Adebisi Adesola, the Chairman of the event, appreciated the attendees describing the event as apt considering the state of the nation and the unending debate on purposeful leadership.
Dr. Adesola further disclosed that the Ibadan Discourse Group is an independent think tank, designed to engineer intellectual dialogue and provide practicable solutions to humanity problems thereby fostering nation growth.
This according to him would be achieved in partnership with organisations, institutions and individuals who share the IDG ideals.
Dr Adesola said ” I want to call our attention to one running battle with leadership in this country. Over the years, we have identified leadership as a major problem that has handicapped the full realisation of the potentials of our country. If you go through the last 28 years for instance, every change in leadership has been attributed to poor performance. It becomes a running battle.unfortunately this trend of blame game has not changed till now. we have seen president Obasanjo, who have constituted himself to the consciousness of Nigeria criticising at all times all those who succeeded him. We therefore decided to hold a discussion in Fajuyi, as a way of directing attention to the issue of leadership. Fajuyi was rarely cardinal. His leadership carries the value, sacrifice, hospitality prevented two regions of this country from being at daggers drawn.”
He emphasized the need to reflect on Fajuyi’s leadership qualities—sacrifice, hospitality, and courage—as a foundation for restoring value-based leadership in Nigeria.
“Proper leadership in Nigeria has been identified over the years as the bane that has handicapped the the realisation of the full potentials of Nigeria, he added.
The patron of IDG, Amb. Yemi Farounbi, Extol the virtues of late let. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi as a brave soldier with exemplary loyalty to leadership and a good administrator.
According to him, “late Fajuyi was on a frontline military mission in Congo during Lumumba Sponge crisis where he performed excellently and was decorated with the Military Cross the highest British medal for courage. The similar courage he showcased when he stood by his head of state and supreme commander Aguiyi Ironsi, by laying down his life”
“Aside his military bravery, Fajuyi administrative prowess included his stoppage/ quelling of the operation wild wild west political crisis (Wet E) of the then western region between loyalist and supporters of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola ( Premiers of Western region).
Addressing the press at the event, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko said it is imperative to bring to the consciousness of the younger generation the sacrifices and virtues of late Lt. Col. Fajuyi.
According to Dr. Mimiko, “Fajuyi’s type of discipline, courage and selflessness are values any nation needs for progress. It’s gratifying that Ibadan Discourse Group put this event together. Particularly, the intervention and participation of the students that will extol the virtues of Fajuyi. For every outing, our focus should be on the future. If we continue along this path, celebrating the best of what has been, for us to be able to engineer the future, I think it’s a worthwhile.”
Dr. Mimiko also reiterate the need for the nation to forge national unity and promote national cohesion.
Mimiko described Fajuyi’s choice to die alongside his friend and superior as a rare act of loyalty and selflessness. He stressed the importance of restructuring Nigeria’s political system to reflect its diverse nature, arguing that visionary and contextual leadership is needed.
He therefore condemned election rigging, describing it as a form of civilian coup, and noted that Nigeria’s problem is not leadership, but lawlessness.
Dr. Mimiko, however, charged the Ibadan Discourse Group to use creative art to drive unity and development, corroborating
He thereafter suggested the idea of making Historical film to tell the story of late Fajuyi.
In his presentation, the guest lecturer Prof. O.B.C Nwolise, noted that good leadership is rooted in peace, development, and the wellbeing of the people. He stressed that lawlessness, not lack of leadership, is Nigeria’s greatest challenge. According to him, when laws are broken, bad leadership follows. He described the annulled June 12 election as the only free and fair election in Nigeria’s history and declared that Nigeria is not a true nation, but merely a state.
He proposed several solutions which include
immediate reconvening of the Southern Governors’ Forum and southern governors wives forum.
Reversal/ dousing of any tension deliberately raised between Igbos and yorubas. These tensions are traps to further divide us at our own peril.
Formation of a team to explore the philosophical songs of the East and West as a means of teaching sacrifice, and the establishment of the Adekunle Fajuyi/ Aguiyi Ironsi tripartite Life-Saving Memorial Hospital incorporating foreign medicine, African traditional healing, and spiritual care.
Other speakers at the event advocated for unity, peace, and national development, urging Nigerians to emulate the discipline, fearlessness, and integrity that defined the leadership of Lt. Col. Fajuyi.
Others at the event are Alagba Banji Ogundele; Prof. Nwolise; representatives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; students from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan City Polytechnic and Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan; intellectuals, pressure groups, press and members of the Fajuyi family.
