Elder statesman and chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayodele Adebanjo, has died at the age of 96.
Pa Adebanjo died on Friday morning at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State.
The family confirmed his death in a statement jointly signed by his children, namely, Mrs. Ayotunde Atteh (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), Mrs. Adeola Azeez (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), and Mr. Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo.
“With a heart full of gratitude for a selfless life spent in the service of God, the nation and humanity, we announce the passing on of our beloved patriarch, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo.
“He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria home at the age of 96,” the statement reads.
The family also disclosed that consultations are ongoing with Adebanjo’s friends, associates, and various interest groups across the country and beyond to finalise plans for a befitting funeral.
According to the statement, details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, adding that a condolence register has been opened at his residence in Lagos and his country home in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The former organising secretary of the Action Group is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, along with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
A Devastating Blow to Yoruba Race – Lagos Assembly
The death of Afenifere leader and an Awoist, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has been described as a devastating blow to the Yoruba race as he lived his life in the service of the Yoruba people.
Reacting to the death of the leader of Afenifere, the Lagos State House of Assembly in a statement issued by its Chairman, Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Hon Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode described the late Chief Adebanjo as a “thoroughbred Awoist, a progressive politician and a patriotic Nigerian.
The Assembly enumerated the wonderful engagements of the late Awoist in the Defunct Action Group and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) of the Late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, stressing he lived a fulfilled life and will be greatly missed by the political class as he was involved in virtually all progressive interventions
In his words “it’s unfortunate that today,we lost one of the leaders of Afenifere,a staunch Awoist and a progressive politician, Chief Ayo Adebanjo. His life was a life lived in the service of the people of Yoruba and humanity in general”
“We will miss him, especially his wise counsels on topical national issues as well as comments on germane matters that affect the Yoruba race.
“So, on behalf of the Speaker of the Lagos state House of Assembly, RT Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, I commiserate with the Afenifere as a group, the Adebanjo family and the progressives all over the country on the unfortunate incident of the passage of chief Adebanjo. I pray God grant his soul eternal rest and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.”
