19th February, 2025
By Aderonke Ojediran
The Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has on behalf of the forum paid glowing tributes to Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Edwin Clark, two foremost Nigerian statesmen who recently passed on.
Adebanjo died at his residence at Lekki on Feb. 14 at the age of 96.
Clark, who died on Monday, was born on May 25, 1927.
Speaking during a has paid a condolence visit to the family of Pa Adebanjo until his death was the leader of pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Sanwo-olu described Adebanjo as a fearless leader who spoke truth to power.
Sanwo-Olu said that Adebanjo lived a life worthy of emulation.
“He was always at his best and spoke truth to power at all times.
“He created relationships across ethnic and cultural groups but, most importantly, he was a gentleman.
”I speak on behalf of South-West governors as well as the people and government of Lagos State,” he said.
The governor also commiserated with the Afenifere Group, and urged all to celebrate Adebanjo’s legacies.
“We cannot but celebrate him, it’s a big shoe, we don’t know how to fill it.
“Our prayer is for God to grant him eternal rest and grant the family, South West and Nigeria in general the fortitude to bear the loss,”Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor also expressed sadness at the death of another statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.
“Coincidentally, we heard that another statesman, Edwin Clark has passed on.
“These great men actually shaped this country.
“For us who are in leadership positions, it is to continue to learn what they lived for, who they were, and to continue to push this country forward.”
The governor was accompanied by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who described Adebanjo as a friend of his late father, Oba Hamzat.
“He will surely be missed due to his huge wealth of knowledge, which the younger generations were tapping from.
He was a Ijaw leader and politician from Delta. (NAN)
