If there were ever a man that were worthy of celebration in the context of Nigerian history, power and politics that man is Baba Ayo Adebanjo.
I must confess that I find it difficult to write about him simply because I’ve mentioned him so many times in write-ups over the years and there is so much to say.
I am however honored and delighted to be able to share a few words about this great and profoundly good man who is not only one of the founding fathers of our nation but also a great patriot and nationalist and an outstanding elder statesman.
Baba Adebanjo is one of those that fought for democracy and justice for the oppressed from day one. He is one of those that has stood firmly on his principles, displayed great fidelity and commitment to his cause and shown the world that Africa has men and women of courage that are consistent, true to their word and loyal to their leaders.
This is a man that began his political career as one of those that founded, formed and led the Action Group Youth Wing in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s.
I am aware of the vital role he played because my late father of blessed memory Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode Q.C. S.A.N, was the leader of that youth wing and Baba Adebanjo was right there by his side.
They more than any other group fought against the British to ensure that we got independence 10 years later.
In those heady early days they marched down the streets of Lagos wearing black shirts, black berets, black sunglasses, black trousers and black leather boots demanding independence and antagonising the British colonial masters and authorities.
They were a sight to be seen.
They chanted as they marched with their fists clenched and held up high in the air in tight formation and large numbers rather like Adolf Hitler’s “Brown Shirts” and Waffen SS.
Their symbol was the mosquito which was pasted and printed on their flags and shirts because the mosquito was a terror to the white man, used to bite them and more often than not caused their premature deaths. This was particularly so in West Africa.
This was the symbol of the Action Group Youth Wing and they were very militant indeed. On many occasions they were arrested and detained by our erstwhile British colonial masters and they were branded as a great “security risk” by the authorities.
These were not just ordinary youths but were highly educated and responsible family men that had attended some of the best universities in the world like London, Oxford and Cambridge. They were very bright and they knew precisely what they were doing.
Baba Adebanjo was part and parcel of that group.
Throughtout that period one thing that he did which stood him out and made him different to most was that he never showed any form of inconsistency.
From the time he was in the Action Group Youth Wing right up until the time that the erstwhile leader of the Action Group, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo S.A.N, passed on in 1987, Adebanjo was totally and completely loyal him, to his principles, to his vision, to his family and to his cause. Indeed he remains loyal to Awolowo till today! In the history of our country few Nigerian politicians have displayed such loyalty to their leaders.
Adebanjo’s example has taught many of us one thing: that at the end of the day it is not about just blindly following your leader but it is about following the principles that that leader has espoused and established and building on his foundation.
That is precisely what Chief Ayo Adebanjo has done and in doing so he has inspired millions of youth all over the country and millions of new breed, new- generation leaders that seek to emulate him.
Permit me to add the following. Even though Chief Awolowo passed on and even though there were a lot of divisions within the ranks of those that supported him in the years after his passing, Baba Adebanjo was hardly involved in any scandalous and acrimonious feud
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