Femi Ashekun/
A video has emerged showing the late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, rehearsing his own death announcement with his daughter.
In the poignant footage, Pa Adebanjo, who passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96, is seen guiding his daughter on the appropriate manner to convey the news of his demise.
This intimate moment offers a glimpse into the elder statesman’s acceptance of mortality and his desire to manage his legacy even in death.
Born on April 10, 1928, in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu Ode in Ogun State, Pa Adebanjo was a prominent Nigerian nationalist, lawyer, and co-founder of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.
His political journey began in 1943 as a follower of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe before he joined the Action Group in 1951, becoming a dedicated disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Throughout his life, Adebanjo was a steadfast advocate for true federalism and the restructuring of Nigeria, consistently championing democracy and justice.
In his early years, Adebanjo worked as a journalist and briefly in the Ministry of Health before pursuing legal studies in the United Kingdom.
He was called to the English Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1961 and subsequently returned to Nigeria to join Chief Awolowo’s chambers.
His unwavering commitment to democratic principles often put him at odds with various regimes, leading to multiple detentions and even a period of exile in Ghana during the treasonable felony trials of 1962.
As a co-founder and leader of Afenifere, Adebanjo played a pivotal role in advocating for the rights and interests of the Yoruba people.
Pa Adebanjo’s death has elicited an outpouring of tributes from across Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu described him as a “principled voice of political activism” whose contributions will be deeply missed. Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari also paid homage, highlighting his unwavering commitment to democracy and national unity.
The recently surfaced video of Pa Adebanjo rehearsing his death announcement underscores his pragmatic approach to life and death. It reflects a man who, even in his final days, sought to ensure that his departure would be communicated with the dignity and respect he believed it deserved.
This act of preparing his daughter for the inevitable speaks volumes about his character—a leader who faced mortality with courage and sought to ease the burden of his passing on his loved ones.
Click link to watch video
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BpMkVmYRB/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
0