When death claimed some of Nigeria’s brightest minds

Abraham AdesanyaOf recent, notable Nigerians whose lives impacted positively on the nation have been lost to death. In this write-up, Adebayo Waheed analyses their contributions to the nation’s democratic progress and the difficulty facing the ethnic groups to which they belonged to fill their positions.

DEATH has always been described as inevitable. It has been the norm from time immemorial that whoever comes into this world will definitely die one day; but the time when this will happen, only God knows.

All the scriptures have ascertained to the fact that there is death which every soul must taste.The recent successive demise of prominent Nigerians who have in one way or the other contributed to the political and socio-economic development of the country will no doubt create a big vacuum that would be difficult, if not impossible, to fill. Also, they are not only going to be missed by their friends, families and well wishers, the country will definitely miss the services and contributions of these people especially now that the country is still trying to learn the ingredients of true democracy guided by the rule of law, fair play and justice.

The death of the leader of Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Abraham Adesanya, former Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Jadesola Akande, the great Mathematician, Chike Obi and former Nigeria Police Force spokesman and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Haz Iwendi, had not been just a blow but a minus towards the democratic development of the country.

Senator Adesanya’s contributions to the country’s political development cannot be over-emphasised. The war by politicians, human rights activists, pro-democracy groups and other sections of the country on who should succeed the late Pan-Africanist who was allegedly denied the title of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and national award by the federal government was an indication that his shoes might be too big for anybody to wear.

Nigerians and indeed the Yoruba are yet to fathom the death and overall implications of his death. Speaking on the death of his father, the daughter of late Yoruba leader, Mrs. Modupe Adelaja, said that her father had the premonition that he was about to die because one week before his death, he ceased to communicate with people.

Adelaja who is the Director General of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, said she felt sad when she came home to visit her father and he was not communicating with people again. “Naturally, nobody wants his loved ones to go. He lived a fulfilled life. If somebody is your loved one, no matter the level of the sickness, you will still be hopeful he will recover from the sickness.

“The last moment I had with him, I wasn’t too happy because he was not making any conversation. I tried to communicate with him but he was not forthcoming. I was not happy he was not responding,” she said. Speaking on the late Adesanya’s contributions to the country’s political development, President Umoru Musa Yar’Adua, described the late leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio- cultural organisation Afenifere as an exemplary leader.

According to him, the late Yoruba leader showed uncommon courage in the battle against military dictatorship. He added that Adesanya’s legacy was a challenge to all Nigerians. Part of the letter of condolence sent by the President to the deceased family read: “Though Pa Adesanya has passed on at a ripe old age, Nigerians in their millions mourn the loss of an icon of our nation’s struggle for justice, equity and good governance.

“All through our political history since independence, Chief Adesanya has stood out firmly for the loftiest ideals, the most patriotic principles and best practices and committed leadership. “Whether as a lawyer, legislator, leader of Afenifere or pan-Nigerian nationalist, he was one politician who consistently made the people’s cause his own. In the darkest days of dictatorship, his exemplary courage shone like a beacon of hope to the faint-hearted while his resilience remained a constant check on the excesses of tyranny.

“Having set an example of patriotic and purposeful leadership for his contemporaries, his passing poses the challenge of living up to his legacy”, Yar’Adua said. Also speaking, former Abia State governor, Chief Orji Kalu, described late Adesanya as the Obafemi Awolowo of the last decade. He recalled that when many sat on the fence or jumped on the bandwagon during the dark days of the military dictatorship, Adesanya fought to free Nigerians from the claws of the junta.

Jadesola AkandeAccording to him, the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo may have died in 1987 but there was consolation in Pa Adesanya who took up the struggle in the next decade. The demise of Professor Akande was not only a blow to the country’s academia but those who believe in the war against moral decadence and indiscipline in the society.

The former Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) was said to have died in her sleep at the age of 68 less than 24 hours after attending the 70th birthday celebration of the social crusader and Lagos lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who was recuperating in a London hospital.

The incumbent Vice Chancellor, LASU, Professor Lateef Akanni Hussein once described her as one of the most distinguished academics in the country, whose tenure as the Vice Chancellor of LASU helped to move the institution to a great height.

Lagos State governor, Mr. Raji Fashola (SAN) while reacting on the death of the Professor of Law, said it was a loss to the nation’s academic community. Former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, who expressed shock at the demise of the former vice chancellor of LASU, described her as a distinguished academic, human rights activist and courageous woman.

To former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “at a time when we were mourning the passing away of our father and mentor, Pa Abraham Adesanya, death stole the queen of the democratic movement, an activist and academic of global repute, Professor Jadesola Akande. Cowardly, death took her away in her sleep at a time she had let down her guard. She was defenceless, unable to rouse the militancy in her to give even death a final rebuff.

Chike Obi“The peaceful circumstances in which she left, gives us the consolation that God, who gave her to us determined the time when her services to mankind should end.” The chairman of Ibadan branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Funso Ogunkeye, who expressed shock at the demise of Professor Akande said that the legacy she left behind in the legal profession would bear testimony to the good life she lived.

Professor Akande was well-known for her no-nonsense approach to issues of discipline, performance and morality when she was at the helm of affairs at the Lagos State University (LASU). Her tenure was remarkable for the way in which she strove to set the school on the path of development and growth. It was during her tenure that the institution established one of the best law programmes in the country. She was the first female Professor of Law and the second female Vice Chancellor in the country.

On retirement from active teaching, late Jadesola Akande became a major voice in the civil society movement and specialised in gender and human rights. According to reports, she founded the Women Law and Development Centre (WOLDEC) in 1994. She also played a major role in producing the alternative constitution of the Pro-Sovereign National Conference Organisation (PRONACO).

With her death, there is no doubt that Nigeria has again lost someone whose contributions to national progress cannot be denied. The demise of that great mathematician, Chike Obi was a great blow to the country’s quest for technological development. It is unfortunate that his death came when his intellect in the field of technology was much needed.

Also the death of former Nigeria Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Iwendi at this crucial time when the authority was trying to reform the police was another great blow, because there is no doubt that his experiences and exposure would have been greatly useful in this direction.

The demise of great Nigerians will no doubt create a big vacuum that may be difficult to fill by anyone. However, one prays that God should stop these deaths so that the country can benefit more from her citizens.