At 70, it’s still sunset at noon for Ajimobi | By Akin Oyedele

The sudden transition and commitment of the remains of the former Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to mother earth, at his Oluyole, Ibadan, residence today, evokes a painful reminder of our mortality. Even at 70, I dare say it is sunset at noon for the ebullient, workaholic former governor of our dear state who showed no sign of ageing, weariness or illness.

Although our path first crossed rather on a frosty note some seventeen years ago, during a reception organised in honour of Senator Clement Awoyelu by his kinsfolk, at Olujoda Hotel, Ado-Ekiti, he was later to, by divine arrangement, be my boss and benefactor for five years, having been twice lucky to be appointed a member of his media team.

 

By his death, Ibadanland has lost an illustrious son, Oyo State has lost the architect of its modernity, while the country has lost a patriotic statesman whose contributions to nation building and democratic norms are unequivocal and forthright.

As a senator, he distinguished himself in the real sense of the word. Ajimobi was reputed to be one of the strident campaigners against the infamous third term agenda of a former president, while he was said to be one of the few lawmakers that spurned the N50m per head bait doled out to oil the machinery of the vaulting ambition. Although some pliant members of the 5th National Assembly had allegedly pocketed the filthy lucre without batting an eyelid, Ajimobi famously stood his ground in defence of democracy and sanctity of the Constitution.

As the first two-term governor of the state, his legacies dot the landscape, while his footprints are indelible on the sands of time. What he did or did not do well should be left for political pundits to pontificate about and for posterity to judge.

At the twilight of his administration, the continued well-being of Oyo State was uppermost on his mind, prompting him to earnestly wish that his successor should surpass his achievements.

He had said: “We have laid a solid foundation for whoever is coming after us to build on. I will expect whoever is going to succeed me to leverage on our achievements in peace and security. When we came in 2011, Ibadan was notorious for criminal activities and brigandage, which earned it the appellation of a garrison.

“You will agree with me that Oyo State of today is a peaceful state, and this peace is the German floor for the unprecedented development of the state. When you look around, you will know that Ibadan and indeed, the entire state have witnessed tremendous turnaround.

“My successor should be able to improve on our achievements in education, health, agriculture, urban renewal and infrastructural revolution. On our own part, we don’t expect everybody to be on our side, otherwise we will be deceiving ourselves. In fact, if you want everybody to like you for everything you are doing, then go and sell ice cream.”

Gratefully, his successor, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, has taken up the gauntlet and has indubitably built on the foundation laid by his predecessor, judging by his huge investments aimed at overhauling the security architecture of the state.

In his modesty and quite uncharacteristic of your everyday politician, Makinde had on many occasions alluded to the fact that his forerunner kept his lights bright for him to see and follow.
The governor wrote in his tribute, “Surely, he (Ajimobi) will be remembered for leaving a blueprint for some of the activities that our administration is now undertaking.”

In his book, ‘As you Like it,’ celebrated poet and dramatist, William Shakespeare, waxed philosophical in an allegory of the seven stages of a man’s life cycle, from ‘infancy to second childishness and mere oblivion.’

In a monologue in one of the scenes of the pastoral comedy book, Melancholy Jaques had said, “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.”

Although, Ajimobi might not have completed the seven stages, which makes his exit painful, but it pleases His maker to summon him for bigger assignments in Al-jannah. He had played his part on the world’s stage to the best of his ability and had exited in a blaze of glory.

My thoughts and prayers are with his loving wife and soul mate of several decades, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, the children and family.
May Allah grant him Al-jannah Firdaus and preserve his living and nonliving treasures.

Adieu, YE.