Veteran pro-democracy activist, Alfred Ilenre, is dead

He died in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Thursday. He was 77.

Ilenre campaigned for true federalism, resource control and minority rights along with several organisations and many people including Chief Anthony Enahoro, Ken Saro–Wiwa and Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti.

Ilenre had on 24 November, 2015 at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, told the public that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode saved his life as he suffered from a serious ailment.

He said the Governor had taken notice of his health condition during the commemoration of 2015 June 12 1993 Presidential Election anniversary at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, when he had to be helped up the stage while his goodwill message was read by someone else.

“When it was time to read my goodwill message, as I stood up, my legs started wobbling and I just blacked out. It was noticed, but we quickly beckoned on one of our very resourceful activist, a lady called Titilope Akosa, who is a member of the June 12 Coalition. She read my statement eloquently and then we outlined our tablet of issues that the government should look into”, he had said.

According to him then, three days after the event, he received a call from a doctor informing him that the Governor had directed that his health condition be monitored, followed up and appropriate steps taken.

“I was marveled. For an Executive Governor of a very busy state like this to have time to look into such issues that certain people will look upon as very minor. The following day, I was given a letter to go to Diagnostic Centre and they did about 12 investigations all over my body including the kidney, heart and then sent the result to the doctor”, he had recounted.

The investigations according to him, revealed a disorder in his left lung, which he said was as a result of a fatal accident he had sustained in Ghana in 1998 during the NADECO crisis, which was life threatening.

“Now, here is the Governor, coming down from his position to say that my health should be looked after. It’s a token, but I appreciate it greatly”. He said he was taken to a Chinese Hospital in Ghana where extensive treatment was carried out.

“They gave me prolonged treatment. I spent six weeks there. Now I feel better than what I used to be. If it was in those days, I would not be able to speak for more than 10 minutes. I may not be as eloquent as I used to be when I was in my 30’s and 40’s, I will be 76 by January next year and that means a lot”. He said.

Ilenre’s burial plans will be released by his family soon.