The remains of the leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, will be interred on May 3, the family has announced.
The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement signed by two of Adebanjo’s children – Mrs Ayotunde Atteh and Mr. Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo.
Adebanjo died on February 14 at the age of 96 at his Lekki residence in Lagos.
The family said the funeral/church service would hold on May 3 at St. Phillips Anglican Church, Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The thanksgiving service will follow at the same venue on May 4.
The Day of Tributes/Service of Songs is scheduled to hold at 2.00 p.m. on April 30 at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The wake will hold on May 2 at 4.00 p.m. at Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s country home, Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu Ode, Ogun.
The family expressed gratitude for the support and prayers received since his passing, and welcome well-wishers to participate in celebrating the life of their patriarch.
“The family invites friends, colleagues, political associates, and the general public to join them in paying final respects to a man whose courage, integrity, and unwavering belief in justice left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political history,” the family said.
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It added: “Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo, widely known as Chief Ayo Adebanjo or Pa Ayo Adebanjo, was born on April 10, 1928, in Ogun State, in the south-western region of Nigeria.
“He was born into the family of Joel Adebanjo Adedairo and Salamotu Odubanke.”
“His political journey began in 1943 as a member of the Zikist Movement, before joining the youth wing of the Action Group in 1951, where he became a political disciple of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“Throughout his life, Chief Adebanjo remained a fearless advocate for democratic governance, true federalism, and Yoruba interests within the Nigerian federation.
“He will be remembered as a titan of Nigeria’s nationalist struggle and a principled voice in the country’s post-independence political evolution,” the family said.
