15th January, 2016
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has described the late Premier of Western Region, Chief Ladoke Akintola, as a statesman, accomplished politician and administrator par excellence during his lifetime.
The governor spoke at a memorial lecture held to mark the 50th remembrance anniversary of the late politician.
NAN reports that the event held on Thursday at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.
NAN also reports that the occasion was also attended by former governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun and Chief Richard Akinjide, a former Attorney-General of the federation.
The late Akintola, a former Minister and Premier of Western Region, was assassinated on Jan. 16, 1966 in Ibadan.
Ajimobi said Akintola manifested unparallel love and respect for Yoruba tradition which earned him the prestigious title of Aare Ona Kakanfo.
He said Akintola during his lifetime dissected national issues with great insight and offered great ideas with immense contributions to national discourse.
“He was a nationalist, frontline politician and crowd puller whose contributions to national development was unquantifiable,” the governor said.
Ajimobi said that Akintola was an unsung hero who had urged the people to eschew politics of bitterness.
Aregbesola, on his part, said that Akintola contributed immensely to the development of the Yoruba region in particular and Nigeria in general.
The governor, who was represented by Alhaji Mashood Adeoti, the Secretary to the State Government, said Akintola bequeathed worthy legacies that must be emulated and remembered by all.
In his lecture, Prof. Enoch Oyedele, a lecturer in the Department of History, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, described Akintola as a nationalist who deserved heroic celebration.
Oyedele , who also canvassed for federalism as the best option for the nation, faulted those clamouring for secession.
The don argued that the British colonial authorities only succeeded in amalgamating the administration of the nation and not the people
He said the convening of the last national conference should have heralded the beginning of a new Nigeria.