By Yemi Farounbi
Femi Adeoti
You’re the unsung Prisoner of War.
Forgotten and unacknowledged.
You were fighting for what you believed in. They believe only in themselves. They’ve gotten all the positions. Even those who didn’t know about the struggle are getting their National Honours as HEROES OF DEMOCRACY.
Just like MOSHOOD ERUBAMI also on this platform. You mobilised and campaigned for true democracy. You were harassed… you were brutalised… you were tortured… you almost lost your life. You’re surviving today by sheer grace of Allah. Comrade, they haven’t even been able to accommodate you in their progressive party. God, however, never forgets….
And so also TAIWO AKEJU on this platform.
You were locked up with PBAT, late Comrade Ola Oni, Dr Beko Ransome Kuti.
You were arraigned in court together.
PBAT ran e nise de torutoru… But he escaped and you were left behind in Nigeria. He’s president today. They don’t remember you. You had nothing…no wife, no child, no car, no house…you had only your certificate from UI. Yet you were in the front line with them…risking your life and future.
The future is now here. They’re enjoying the luxury of the positions…and they are giving awards to those who don’t know what democracy means…But God never forgets.
Also on this platform is my Soulmate, Akogun Tola Adeniyi. It was the evening of 19 November 1993 in my Bodija House. We spoke on your 090 Line to our friend. It became clear you were high on the list of those the new Abacha Regime wanted dead or alive preferably dead. The then IGP has given directives to that effect. You had to speak with your legs within 24 hours…with your family. First to UK and for better safety to Canada that stood firmly against Abacha Regime. Nobody knows the trouble you have seen. Nobody knows that sorrow… but God knows.
And let me remember my young friends… Segun Olatunji, Wales Adebamwi, Deolu Akande, Laolu Akande, BODE Opeseitan and Festus Adedayo. You were the Ibadan based guerilla journalists, risking everything for the cause you believed in firmly. You may not have the recognition today, not even the National Honours …but God knows.
To the guerrilla journalists in Lagos then in The News, Tell, Tempo, Punch, Newswatch, Guardian etc…I salute you all.. too many to list… Babafemi Ojudu, Kola Ilori, Nosa as point of contacts for you all. God remembers your sacrifice.
I remember the so many who were slaughtered by the security forces on the streets of Ibadan, Lagos et al. Nobody knows your names. Nobody recognises your persons. Not even a memorial to remember these unknown people who paid the supreme sacrifice by those who stepped on your blood to political eminence. GOD KNOWS YOU ALL.
And there are numerous others who didn’t leave Nigeria but fought in their own ways.
AND THOSE GREAT NIGERIANS IN MILITARY AND SECURITY AGENCIES… unknown and unrecognised. You secretly provided cover and protection at the risk of your lives and cared. GOD KNOWS YOU ALL.
HAPPY JUNE 12.
YEMI FAROUNBI
