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Yoruba youth leader and civil society leader, Comrade AWA Bamiji has shared amazing pictures from Ekiti State as South West leaders gathered in honour of Pa Senator Ayo Fasanmi, the Late Afenifere Leader, a year after his demise.

According him, inside the Church from Left – Right were Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Osun State and former Interim National Chairman of APC; Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Acting Leader of Afenifere and Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Emeritus Leader of Afenifere, among other dignitaries, including Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, the Hon Speaker of Ekiti State and key Leaders of Afeniferes across the South West States, in the ongoing memorial Service at St. John Anglican Church, Iye – Ekiti, in the honour of late Pa Senator Ayo Fasanmi.

At the remembrance, Osun State and Ondo State Governors were equally represented.

According to Comrade Bamiji, “What makes this event different from the Burial ceremony that was held last year is the effect of coronavirus pandemic which was very high a year ago and the Host Governor Kayode Fayemi was on isolation during the period compared to this period, when he personally graced the occasion as 1 of Baba Ayo Fasanmi closest Political Children and Governor of Ekiti State, who doubles as the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum.

“This could be summarily interpreted as being a Representative of the 36 States’ Governors at the event, apart from the fact that the historic occasion recorded the attendance of the topmost leadership of Afeniferes.

“It’s better to die young and be celebrated than to pass on at old age without notice. “Ka ku lomode ko yeni, o san ju, ka dagba ka mo ni Adire Irana lo”, according to a Yoruba adage, but in this case, our late Leader died last year, 2 months to his 95th Birthday’s Anniversary and his celebration of life since then is not only noticed but eventful till date.

“Apart from the main Venue of Reception, Benny Rose Hotel with a very large Compound at Iye – Ekiti, there were still other 2 locations which are separate Compounds of Pa (Senator) Ayo Fasanmi, where other Children and families are entertaining their Guests.

“The various Cultural Groups and seasoned Musicians entertained these august gatherings.

“My official Team, including Hon. (Pastor) Tope Adebayo and Alhaji Asiri from Ede Town, Personal Assistant to Pa (Senator) Ayo Fasanmi and a member of Afenifere, Osun State, couldn’t do otherwise than to cut it short while this celebration was still on at night to pay homage to our dear Brother, friend, veteran Comrade and one of the key god Sons of Pa (Senator) Ayo Fasanmi, Oba Adeayo Adekunle Adeagbo Okinbaloye II, Oore of Otun Ekiti, in red cloth inside the Group picture, who couldn’t hold his joy on receiving us in his Royal Palace. He had to immediately break the protocols to the amazement of his security Aides.

“This “thank you visit”/homage ahead of his coronation anniversary, which was planned to last about 30 minutes in appreciation of his brotherly support and attendance at the event, later turned out to be a Conference of 2 hours to extensively dig out the mouthwatering history of this ancient Town which included having another traditional Palace inside the Enu – Owa Palace, Ile – Ife, of Ooni of Ife, till date because of the strong bond between first Oore or Oloore Oduduwa of Otun Ekiti and Oduduwa; the traditional position of Oore among Pelu Pelu Kings of Ekiti State, which makes him the Royal Head of all these Pelu pelu Kings in Ekiti State and other notable Traditional Rulers in Mushin, Lagos State; and in Benin Republic; discussion on the continued support and prayers of Baba Ayo Fasanmi on all of us as his Political Children to become important People in his lifetime, which eventually came into reality before his exit last year and we had to apologise to ourselves to summon the courage to postpone our impromptu family’s meeting to another day. “Ti Ore Imule meji ba ri Ara won, Sorosoro ni won nda”.

“Please, watchout out for the wonderful package of the coronation Anniversary of this young, dynamic and Childhood friend, right from their days in the United State of America, of Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ojaja II, coming up in October this year and with the ongoing meetings of various Groups across the Globe, it promises to be another colourful ceremony as it will surely attract dignitaries around the Universe to this Ancient City of Otun Ekiti.

“We are all really overwhelmed with masive support from every part of the World since a year ago and up till Today, in making this memorial event a huge success in the history of human Race.

“Omo Rere a gbeyin wa o. Ona Ope wa ko l’opin.

“Odu’a a gbewa o!”, said Comrade AWA Bamiji,
Special Adviser to the Late Pa Senator Ayo Fasanmi who spoke from Ilejemeje Local Government, Iye – Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Source: StreetReporters.ng