Events
Nigerians Celebrate Life and Times of Major General Adefope
Nigerians from all walks of life, including friends and family members, gathered to celebrate the life and times of Major-General Henry Edmund Olufemi Adefope.
The event, which witnessed the gathering of eminent citizens, was put together by his family members and also saw the coming of his children and grand-children to Nigeria.
Eminent Nigerians present at the event include Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Otunba JK Randle, Pastor Wale Adefarasin and Prof Anthony Kila.
Leading the eulogy during the memorial event and unveiling of the book, titled: “Major-General Henry Edmund Olufemi Adefope: A Legacy of Honour,” in Lagos on Thursday, was his first daughter and second child, Justice Olubola Adefope, who spoke on the topic: “A Legacy of Honor.” She described Maj-Gen Adefope as “A cherished child among his siblings.”
Saying that her father was “a man who was at peace with his life,” she added that the major general “Loved Nigeria with a passion and hated the endless pursuit of money.”
She said that her father had so much love for his family that “he decided to change his carrier to suit his family.”
The Judge described her father as a man who loved nature.
Corroborating Maj-Gen Adefope’s daughter was a retired Deputy Director of Sports, Usman Mamman Gora, who in his speech, described Maj.-Gen. Adefope as “A man who was committed to sports development.”
Describing Maj.-Gen. Adefope as a family friend, Gora said: “He picked me from nowhere in 1972 and made me who I am today. The late general was a mentor and a friend.”
He described Adefope as “One of those Nigerians that we have every reason to celebrate today.
“He was a man of integrity, a personality that can be reckoned with anywhere any day.”
Gora noted that Maj.-Gen. Adefope vowed to develop sports in Nigeria, while completing the stadium in record time.
Describing the late major general as being “Very approachable, fully committed to achieving testimonies,” Gora said that “Adefope provided purposeful leadership in national sports. He saved the face of Nigeria during the Olympics.”
Also, Nigeria’s renowned chartered accountant, JK Randle, who reviewed the book, titled: “Major-General Henry Edmund Olufemi Adefope: A Legacy of Honour,” described Maj.-Gen. Adefope as “An officer of the Nigerian Army and a gentleman to the core.
“He was a man of many parts. He was a combatant. He lived a fruitful life. He labored steadfastly and endlessly to lead a Christian life of service and worship, remaining transparent in the
work of the lord. He was a jack of many trade and master of the trade.”
In his tribute to the major general, Dr. Issa Aremu, General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NVTGTWN) and vice president of the Industrial All Global Union, described Maj.-Gen. Adefope as “A mentor and a statesman in the true sense of the word. He was the most sustainable and constructive minister in Nigeria.
“He was the first number-one labour man and the labour administration, under the late major general, was the most remarkable.”
Noting that Maj.-Gen. Adefope made a great impact in labour matters, Aremu said: “His legacies are the most impactive and most constructive that I have ever known.”
Aremu noted that events, which took place under the major general were very remarkable.
“The first one is that before he became a minister, the first generation of unionists tried to have one labour centre. The four major unions including UFC, and others, were trying to form a second one and General Adefope put his feet on ground and brought these four centres together, which produced the NLC that we have today,” Aremu remarked.”
The second legacy that Maj.-Gen. Adefope left in NLC, according to Aremu, was to build a financially independent trade union movement.
According to Aremu: “It was during his tenure that we had an automatic check-off in which workers paid their union dues, which built financial independence for the union. This also made trade unions not to be dependent on foreigners who used to influence them.”
Third legacy, the labour unionist said, was that Maj.-Gen. Adefope brought restructuring, which led to the consolidation of industrial unions. “He brought trade unions together during his time. He believed that trade unions must be well equipped, well informed and that led to the creation of Michael Imoudu Labour Institute in Ilorin, Kwara State. It has built capacity over the years for the working people,” Aremu remarked.
He remarked that Adefope facilitated the independence of the trade unions, adding: “He was well educated, well informed and this led to the creation of Michael Imodu.”
Also, at the event, the Director, Centre for International Advanced Professional Studies (CIAPS), Lagos, Professor Anthony Kila, while answering questions on what the intervention of the late major general would have been as regards the Russia-Ukraine Crisis, noted that the two warring parties would “Need Like Of Adefope To Refrain From Going Trigger”.
Prof. Kila said that if Major-General Adefope were to be alive, “At a time like this war, Adefope would have advised the two warring countries to embrace dialogue, as nobody needs to carry a trigger.”
Commending the major general for possessing the qualities that make a man, Prof. Kila said: “Adefope had education, exposure, experience, and the environment. Those are the four things that make a man overall. Adefope brought in the Man Adefope.”
Saying that Adefope never fought or rushed for any recognition, Kila added: “Adefope was a man who did his job and went home.”
Managing Director, Business Travels, Funlola Adefope, who is also Maj.-Gen. Adefope’s grand-daughter, described him as a meek man, whose character should be emulated by all. “He wasn’t arrogant,” Funlola added.
A U.S.-based medical doctor, Dr. John Mabayoje, described Maj-.Gen. Adefope as “A man who was gifted with wisdom and steady common sense”, adding that Adefope has good public comportment, as well as a man who knew how to handle crisis.”
Dr. Mabayoje said that with Adefope’s love for public service, the major general “incorporated rural service for medical doctors.”
By Eric Elezuo
The historic city of Ile-Ife, the domain of the influential Ooni, in Osun State, came very alive during the week, as the energetic Senator representing Osun Central in the National Assembly, Olubiyi Fadeyi Ajangunla, and his wife, Erelu Olajumoke Fadeyi, were installed as the AJAGUNLA OODUA TI ILE YORUBA and ERELU AJAGUNLA OODUA OF THE SOURCE by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, at the Palace Ile-Ife.
The event reflects crowning the Ajangunla, who signifies great warrior, and protector of the entire Yoruba race; guarding and shielding the residents against external aggression. That’s the office Senator Fadeyi and his wife, Erelu Olajumoke, have ascended among the Yoruba people.
Classy and debonair, Senator Fadeyi and wife chose to make the days of the coronation one to remember, and give guests and dignitaries, who came from far and near the pampering required of a such a occasion.
The events began with a solid get together soiree, organised and held at the Harvard Hotel, where early callers were treated to good music, classy dishes and splendid entertainment, providing avenues for rewarding networking.
Attending to grateful guests, Senator Fadeyi, dressed in all white kaftan, and the Erelu in a free green and red round neck sleeveless gown, were full of smiles, acknowledging the presence of all and sundry.
With a live band dishing out evergreen music to the joy of the guests, and splendid dishes and beverages making sporadic and ceaseless rounds on the table, the evening proved to be an acceptable progenitor to the anticipated main billed for the next day.
Of course, the next day lived up to its billing with more guests storming the historic ancient city in what appeared to be everyone on white affair.
The entrance of the celebrants was a testament in elegance as traditional Palace staff, in their white loins and leopard skin, formed a two-line squad through which the Ajangunla and his wife, made their revered entry accompanied by close family members, friends and associates. The entry was followed by the loud and impressive appearance of the Ooni of Ife, signaling the beginning of the coronation ceremony.
The installation was brief, but highly monumental, bestowing the great warrior status on the couple, giving them prominence and influence, not only in Ile-Ife, but the entire Yorubaland.
With the who’s who in Yorubaland in attendance, the goodwill messages began to flow, acknowledging the Ooni first as a primus interperes, who has reign over the kingdom in 10 fruitful years, and the newly crowned couple for their steadfast contributions to the uplifting of the society, with special mention of their immediate locality, Ile-Ife and Osun State.
It was therefore, with pride that the couple took their first sacred steps as the Ajangunla Oodua and Erelu Ajangunla Oodua in preparation to begin an gracious duty of standing for the Yoruba race at all times.
Thereafter, the mother of all reception was held at an outdoor ground of the Obafemi Awolowo University with the best of music, from the evergreen voices of Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, and Yinka Ayefele, just a-list dishes, beverages and accurate networking flowed freely on the night.
Among very important personalities that graced the event with their presence were the Deji Of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi; the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin; the Alara of Ilara, Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo; the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Osun State Council of Obas, Firstlady of Ondo State Lady Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, Princess Toyin Kolade, Mr Kayode Kolade, Chief Alex Duduyemi and a host of there.
PRESIDENT TINUBU GREETS AJAGUNLA ON CORONATION
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly congratulates Senator Olubiyi Oluwole Fadeyi, Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, on his prestigious conferment as the “Ajagunnla-Oodua Ti Ile Yoruba” by the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
President Tinubu describes the honour as well-deserved in recognition of Senator Fadeyi’s distinguished service to the advancement of his community, the Yoruba nation, and Nigeria as a whole.
The President notes that the Ajagunnla-Oodua title carries profound cultural significance within the Yoruba traditional institution and reflects the Ooni’s confidence in Senator Fadeyi’s character, contributions, and devotion to the values of unity, peace building, and development.
“Senator Fadeyi has shown exemplary dedication to public service and the upliftment of his people. This honour from the Ooni of Ife is not only a personal milestone but also a national celebration of excellence, integrity, and cultural heritage,” the President says.
President Tinubu commends the Ooni of Ife for continuing to uphold the revered Yoruba traditions by recognising individuals who embody leadership, compassion, and communal responsibility.
He prays that the new Ajagunnla-Oodua will be strengthened with greater wisdom and renewed commitment as he undertakes his latest responsibility.
The Leezeet Tender Heart Foundation, in partnership with Divine Care Hub, has held an inspiring Elderly Community Outreach Programme in Ikorodu.
Led by the founder, Mrs. Elizabeth Adegbite, the event celebrated and supported senior citizens, widows, and orphans, highlighting the importance of mental, physical, and social well-being for older adults.
The programme, themed “Promoting Economic Empowerment & Mental Wellness Among Older Adults,” included prayers, praise and worship, gentle exercises, massage therapy, nutrition talks, and economic empowerment sessions. Ms. Abimbola Shaba shared tips on Affordable Nutrition and Healthy Living for the Elderly, while Mrs. Adigun and Ms. Loveth highlighted social welfare and economic opportunities.
Creative moments included a heartfelt poem by Mrs. Grace Oni and a colorful senior fashion parade coordinated by Mrs. Oladehinde, reminding everyone that style has no age limit. The event was beautifully anchored by MC Mrs. Adebo and concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Fabunmi.
Mrs. Adegbite called on the Ikorodu community, NGOs, and individuals to step up interventions for the elderly, stressing that together, communities can ensure dignity, care, and hope for all seniors.
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