…Plus Lessons from Kehinde Ola Oni, Taiwo Adesida @ 80, with a Letter Calling Attention of Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, General Public to Their Plight

It was encomiums’ galore as the widow of the firebrand Nigeria human rights activist, Comrade Ola Oni, Mrs Kehinde Ola-Oni, together with her identical twin sister, Taiwo Adesida, marked their 80th birthday in Ibadan, with a public lecture.

The event, which took place at late Ola-Oni’s Bodija residence, had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life, including the immediate past Minister of Interior and former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Comrade Femi Aborisade, as Guest Speakers, while Comrade Moshood Erubami and Comrade Awa Bamiji, are the Chairman of occasion and the Convener respectively, among others in attendance

The Speakers at the event described the late Ola Oni as a radical pan-Africanist, and a fearless defender of the masses, a revolutionary leader for socialist liberation and justice who lived a selfless and sacrificing life while he was alive.

Speaking on behalf of Ogbeni Aregbesola, Engr. Abimbola Daniyan, described Mrs Kehinde Oni as a woman with total commitment to truth, equity and justice, pointing out that Mrs Kehinde Ola Oni’s and her twin sister’s depth of dignity, simplicity and humility is highly commendable

In his remark, Comrade Abiodun Bamgboye (a.k.a Abbey Trostky), who spoke on behalf of Comrade Femi Aborisade, said the celebrant’s husband paid attention to the revolutionary movement while alive, noting that Comrade Ola Oni would have made a lot of good changes in Nigerian political space were he still alive.

Pastor John Ajayi, in his sermon, described the celebrants as good mothers and backbones of their husbands adding that they have learned how to count their days and applied wisdom.

Meanwhile, the Octogenarian said she felt happy for the attainment of the ripe age, pointing out that what her husband stood for as a true democrat while alive still stands.

She however drummed up support for more women’s participation in politics and positions of power so that they can fight for themselves when the need arises.

Recall that the late Comrade Ola Oni was born in Ekiti in 1933 and died in 1999. He was a Marxist political economist, socialist and human rights activist.

Comrades Awa Bamiji, Moshood Erubami Speak

Below are the mind blowing speeches of the Host, Comrade Awa Bamiji, and that of the Chairman of occasion, Comrade Moshood Erubami, both of which elicited some kind of silence, encomiums, tears, sorrows, and emotions from the audience:

OLA ONI: OONI, OLUBADAN, SOYINKA, AREGBESOLA, AJASIN, BOLANLE AWE, ERUBAMI, ABORISADE, OTHERS HONOUR 3RD MAJOR POLITICAL CASUALTY IN NIGERIA AFTER MKO ABIOLA, BOLA IGE, BECAUSE HE WAS POISONED 1999, FAMILY MALTREATED LEADING THESE 2 CELEBRANTS TO GO BLIND, HOUSE SET ABLAZE BY DAREDEVIL POLICEMEN 2001, BEING THE TEXT OF SPEECH DELIVERED BY COMRADE AWA BAMIJI PRESIDENT – GENERAL, GRAND COUNCIL OF YORUBA YOUTHS, ORGANISER OF KEHINDE OLA ONI, TAIWO ADESIDA @ 80 LECTURE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH BROADCASTING CORPORATION OF OYO STATE (BCOS), HELD SATURDAY, 05/08/23, AT COMRADE OLA ONI HOUSE, 6, ODEKU CLOSE, FAVOURS BUS/STOP, SECRETARIAT/UI ROAD, BODIJA, IBADAN, OYO STATE

.. LESSONS FROM KEHINDE OLA ONI, TAIWO ADESIDA @ 80, WITH A LETTER CALLING ATTENTION OF TINUBU,  SANWO-OLU, GENERAL PUBLIC TO THEIR PLIGHT. #PLEASE, FOLLOW LECTURE INSTRUCTION BELOW FOR IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Successor of Comrade Ola Oni as Leader of Apapo Omo Odu’a, Comrade Baba Omojola, sat me down one day and made me realised how painful it was for Apapo Omo Odu’a and other notable Yoruba self – determination Groups for our Leaders of Thought in the Southwest Region not to continue with the Celebration Yoruba National Day after the 1st Celebration in Ibadan, in the year 2000, by the Yoruba Congress under the leadership of Senator Abraham Adesanya, Leader of Afenifere, where they unanimously chose September 23, which is the end of 16 year Kiriji war, when the peace treaty was signed, as Yoruba National Day.

Therefore, he said having studied my Group’s structure, longstanding capacity in mobilisation, resilience and network across the Region, he believed we have what it takes to be coming out annually against all odds and celebrate Yoruba National Day on behalf Yoruba Leaders.

I looked at myself and thought of so many things, such as regular sponsorship that is not guaranteed, our tight schedule for various events year in, year out, do we need a rotational venue or Ibadan only, as the Southwest Political Headquarters?

We later thought of using our annual Edition of Yoruba Youth Leadership Summit to mark Yoruba National Day, September 23, yearly. To God be the glory, since 12 years ago, we keep flag flying. The 2021 Edition held inside Lagos Airport Hotel, the last Edition was held in Ibadan and by God’s grace, this year Edition is going to be Akure 2023. Please, kindly watchout!

In June, I opened Comrade (Mrs) Kehinde Ola Oni WhatsApp Page to listen to her voicemail lamenting the death of our late Leader, Comrade Laoye Sanda, who they relied so much on, to help them organise a befitting 80th Birthday Programme and in his absence, they said they had singled me out for the epic role based on our effective network

It was a big challenge for me because I never prepared for such and event holds in the less than 2 month. In fact, it was supposed to be last week but was shifted in honour of Comrade Laoye Sanda funeral ceremony.

Lesson 1, when somebody dies, his role unexpectedly falls on another person. You may be the next in line, how prepared are you for the emergency role like this that will be demanding? May God help us!

Lesson 2: This was the same way late Comrade Baba Omojola, who took over the leadership of Apapo Omo Odu’a from late Comrade Ola Oni,  saddled me with  responsibility of championing the continuity of Yoruba National Day Celebration in 2011 after we were through with Adebayo Faleti @ 80, and to the glory of Almighty God, we kicked – off in 2012.

He was the Chairman, June 12 Coalition in Lagos State and doubles as Chairman, Beko Ransome – Kuti memorial Committee and I, as the Secretary of the Beko Ransome – Kuti memorial Committee, worked closely with him for years.

During the June 12, 1993 Struggles, as we had Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN; Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, and others in Lagos State, Comrade Ola Oni was an Ibadan based Leader of Civil Societies, alongside Chief Bola Ige, SAN; former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adeshina, and notable others.

Lesson 3: Turning their request down would be monumentally painful, not only to them at all, but to myself, who know them so well having served in various Civil Societies under Comrade Ola Oni, Comrade Baba Omojola, from whom late Comrade Laoye Sanda took over due to death, and have the mobilisation capacity which both of them believed it is enough to arrive at this juncture.

It’s a vote of confidence and a rare opportunity for me and my ever formidable team members to stage 2 big events within a month, just as we did May 27 and June 12 World Press Conferences in Abuja and Lagos respectively, as the 12th Edition of Yoruba Youth Leadership Summit celebrating Yoruba National Day, holds next month in Akure, Ondo State, Saturday, 23 September, 2023, by God’s grace.

Lesson 4: They both lost their sight to canister and tear gas fired by the dare devil Policemen deployed to dispatch the members of Comrade Baba Omojola led Apapo Omo Odu’a holding regular meetings here in this Ola Oni House, after the demise of their Patriarch, Comrade Ola Oni, in 2001, and a lot have been spent on their medical treatment to resuscitate them but they both need to be flown abroad for further medical treatment, our frantic appeal for medical support that was made across the Southwest States has not yielded till date but I must thank Mr President, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; Comrade Baba Omojola, Comrade Laoye Sanda and few other notable Leaders in the Civil Societies, for their past and individual interventions on the health and welfare of this noble family.

We are half way fulfilled Today for celebrating them @ 80 but will be totally fulfilled, the day they both regain their long lost sight through medical support from a God sent Angel in human flesh.

Lesson 5: They are twin Sisters, who started making names at their tender ages. Kehinde ended up in marrying Comrade Ola Oni from Otun – Ekiti, but resided in Ibadan while Taiwo married to late Prince George Adeyemi Adesida in Akure, Ondo State. They are 2 female Stars married 2 male Stars, which is very rare. Congratulations Ma!

Lesson 6: Nobody will read the attached copy of their letter sent to and duly received by former Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, in 2017, on their plight without being emotionally touched. Therefore, COALITION OF PRO – DEMOCRACY GROUPS FOR BETTER NIGERIA, which is the Umbrella Body of Hundreds of Youth Organisations Within And Outside Nigeria, had asked me to make the letter go viral until it catches attention of Their Excellencies, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Executive Governor of Lagos State, respectively, as their unfinished job, as former and present Governors of Lagos State, in the Civil Societies’ Community.

We chose not to write any letter to avoid similar treatment melted on them via the attached copy by non – response of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State because it will be so difficult to understand bureucracy of the system.

The more you look, the less you see, because this is the same former Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, that sponsored Ayo Fasanmi @ 90 Lecture organised by the Grand Council of Yoruba Youths inside Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, held 23rd September 2015; Bola Ige @ 16 Symposium in 2017 at Nelson Mandela Square, Osogbo, Osun State, and donated N2 million medical support to replace a complete pevic guide of one of our key members, who has been suffering for a very long time from the ailment. In summary, God didn’t send him to Comrade Ola Oni family

Lesson 7: The People in various positions of Authority Today should always remember the past Leaders of Thought, most especially the Casualties of Nigerian turbulent Democracy, like LATE PRESIDENT MKO ABIOLA, GCFR; CHIEF BOLA IGE, SAN, FORMER MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION; COMRADE OLA ONI; OTHERS, AND THINK OF WHAT COULD BE THEIR OWN FUTURE, WHICH IS ONLY KNOWN TO GOD ALMIGHTY.

It doesn’t matter how much wealth you amass when you in power because there’s end to everything and we would all become history, one by one at our various destinations and different dates. This same Ola Oni House had hosted African Revolutionaries in the past including Dr Nelson Mandela, others, imagine?

8. This is the usual way that a highly rewarding opportunity like this does come our way, if you are focused with what you know how to do best, you will surely be fished out. Whether they clap or not, keep your dream alive.

Lesson 9: They both ran to me and as their Aluta Son, I ran to God Almighty. After fishing me out, I am here today addressing this August Gathering in my capacity as Chairman, Organising Committee, a very rare privilege.

I am proud of everyone in attendance here today, who have come far and near to celebrate these 2 prominent female Activists, 2 Heroines of Yorubaland and Nigeria at large, the first twin Sisters to contest and won the crowns of the most Beautiful Ladies in the whole of Southwest Region, MISS WEST, in the year 1965, organised by the NTA, Daily Times and other Corporate Bodies, featuring Deji of Akure as Chairman, Panel of Judges.

At this particular period, Comrade Kehinde Ola – Oni was working as Secretary Typist to the Deputy Premier of Western Region, Chief Remi Fani – Kayode, of blessed memoryy. It’s a case of Arugbo s’oge ri. The Law of diminishing return must set in as long as we sleep and wake up daily.

The 1965 MISS WEST is Today celebrating 80th Birthday. Therefore, let us continue to remember old age and embrace the aged that comes our way. “We will not be old in penury”. “A ko ni di Agba Iya o”.

Lesson 10. Your participation today is being recorded by the Media. Almighty God will always be meeting you at every point of your need. Thank you all, for being part of history. Olubadan,  Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Tokunbo Ajasin and Comrade Barrister Femi Aborisade are represented here by Princess Olayinka Balogun, Daughter of Olubadan or Ibadanland and the Chief of Staff to Olubadan; Engr (Comrade) Bimbo Daniyan, Comrade Wole Aina and Comrade Abbey Trostky in the same other while the Chairman of occasion, Comrade Moshood Erubami and Head of Bishop Derek Ehizele, Swifam GNi, taking care of Windows in Oyo State are here with us. The latter just declared vacancies in honour of this lecture on behalf of Skytouch International Ltd, as follows.

Please, find the positions opened for immediate employment as interview holds Monday in Osogbo. All Cvs and inquiries be directed to kcvconsult1@ gmail.com and or WhatsApp digits of 08060822656

Ooni of Ife, Prof Wole Soyinka and Prof (Mrs) Bolanle Awe have earlier sent their Tributes.

Greatest Nigerian People! Ever dynamic Nigerian People! Ever Progressive Nigerian People! Please, kindly join me in singing my favourite Aluta song, “A ti’gba ta l’aye ti da Aye, ko s’omo Aluta to s’ori buruku (3ce)”. Aluta Continua, Victoria Acerta!

Better Nigeria, yes we can! Odu’a a gbewa o!

Thank you so much for your rapt attention.

Chairman, Comrade Moshood Erubami’s Opening

Chairman’s Opening Speech delivered at the 80th year Birthday Anniversary of Twin Sisters Mrs Taiwo Adesida and Mrs Kehinde Ola Oni which is held today,  Saturday, 5 August, 2023, inside Comrade Ola Oni House, 6, Odeku Close, Favours Bus/Stop, Agodi Secretariat/UI Road, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State,.

Greetings : An Introductory
 
The Special Guest of Honour, 
His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Executive President, Federal Republic of Nigeria;

Guests of Honour 
Past and present Southwest Governors and their Deputies.

Royal father’s of the day,

His Imperial Majesty Oba Mohud Olalekan Alli Okunmade II
            Olubadan of Ibadanland;

Oba Adekunle Adeayo Adeagbo Okinbaloye II, Oore of Otun – Ekiti, Ekiti State.;

Father and Mother of the day

Mr Tokunbo Ajasin, Son of late Leader of Afenifere and former Governor of Ondo State, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, and
Princess Olabisi Sangodoyin, Ibadan based Gender Activist and key Leader in the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) respectively.

Key Speakers;

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, immediate past Minister of Interior,
Our ever revolutionary Comrade (Barrister) Femi Aborisade,
Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Gentlemen of the Press,

It gives me great pleasure to speak to you this morning, to welcome you most cordially to the Celebration of the 80th year birthday of a Twin Sisters, Comrade Mrs Taiwo Adesida and Comrade Mrs Kehinde Ola Oni who were born exactly on the 30th July 1943.

I would like to thank the Organizers for giving me the honour to be the Chairman of this memorable occasion.
The Organizers are the AGBARIJO EGBE ODO YORUBA, GRAND COUNCIL OF YORUBA YOUTHS (GCYY) LAGOS; BROADCASTING CORPORATION OF OYO STATE (BCOS), ILE AKEDE, ORITA BASHORUN, IBADAN.

They have done well in  choosing a relevant topic to be discussed by Cerebrals to illuminate the life of the Celebrants, the 2 prominent female Activists, who are Heroines of Yorubaland and Nigeria at large.

*The first twin Sisters to contest and won the crowns of the most Beautiful Ladies in the whole of Southwest Region, MISS WEST, in the year 1965, an event  organized by the NTA, Daily Times and other Corporate Bodies,

My name is Comrade Mashood Erubami. I am going to be speaking to you as the Chairman of today’s program as earlier introduced.

To begin with, today’s program is important because 5th August 2023 will remain indelible in our memory even though, the exact date of their birth was the 30th july 1943.

At the same time we would use the opportunity to also celebrate  the life of Comrade Ola Oni who facilitated the ideological interconnections  among most of us  present here today.

Let me therefore, introduce the topics  and the key  Speakers who were strategically selected because of the importance of the program.

The Speakers are, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, immediate past Minister of Interior and
Our ever revolutionary Comrade (Barrister) Femi Aborisade, who will share their knowledge on the relevance of the topics:

” 24 Years of Nigerian Civil Rule Without Ola –  Oni Inputs: How Comfortable Are The Ola – Oni Followers?”, 

Let me say right here that apart from what we would hear from our discussants, individual  viewpoints for the enrichment of the discussions will be welcome. 

Your  viewpoints count. We therefore  hope you will feel comfortable  to share your thoughts.

As the Chairman of today’s events,
I will be specifically responsible to chair this program and maintain control of the activities, keep conversations related to one discussion  at a time  and to determine the best time to move on to ensure the other items on the agenda are followed. 

I am told a Communique Committee will prepare, summarize and read for the agreement of all what they captured from the discussants to underscore the significance of the day.

In the process of all these, I will try to enforce some rules to guarantee the orderliness  of the program.

Please permit me to say that task will not be concluded without saying anything about our situations in Nigeria presently.

I mean, about the challenges bestowed upon us  by the new government of President Tinubu which call for a sober reflection on how best we can solve the problems of poverty, hunger and underdevelopment.

With the shocking withdrawal of Petroleum Subsidy, there is urgent need to cushion the effects of the harrowing distasteful social economic  pains that accompanied the removal of the subsidy.

Subsidy on its own is a cushioning palliatives being paid on behalf of the Nigerian consumers of petroleum to mitigate the rising effects of petroleum prices.
Since the shocking withdrawal, Nigerians have been living harrowing lives which had subjected them to grounding poverty with accompanied  social -economic denials that  had  manifested in variants of poverty and hunger.

*The main solutions to the pains from inflicted poverty of material well- being is to fight the growing corruption in the petroleum sectors and liberate the hidden resources being pocketed by the Cabals in the sector.

*All abandoned Refineries must be immediately resuscitated to  start producing refined crude oil into like Cally consumable petrol.

*Government must used safed revenues from the withdrawal  of subsidy to cushion pains in other areas of the economy across the Country. I e. Buying multiples of accessible and affordable Buses to be distributed to states and local Government areas and for the use of transportation Unions on University, Polytechnic, other tertiary institution Campuses, and Cooperative Society.

*Government must spread the gains safed from the subsidy withdrawal to increase the transport and housings allowances of workers in trade unions including informal workers and trade Associations.

*Government should immediately announce income allocation as some states in kwara, Ondo, Ogun and Bayelsa  have done to their workers and Pensioners.

*Government according to its promises, should arrange with banks to grant concessional loans to farmers, Medium/Small scale businesses at single digit interest rates.

*Government for now, must place embargo on any efforts by any higher colleges and Universities to increase their fees.

*Government should quickly set up the commodities and prices control Board to maintain prices stability, purchase essential commodities to be sold at very low prices and open borders for inter border trading.

*Finally, the government should immediately release the tonnages of promised grains and rice from the National reserves to cushion the painful effects of food insecurity in the country.

Distinguished invitees and speakers, let me express, in the name of the  Organizing Committee, our most sincere wish that the discussions and agreements that will result from today’s lectures  will positively contribute to the future development of the Socialist struggles in the Country and consolidation of fraternity based on the philosophy and ideology of leninism/ Marxism

I thank you all for coming.

Comrade Moshood Erubami

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