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The former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, Chief Adebisi Adesola, Prof Osisioma B. C. Nwolise, Mr Banji Ogundele and other dignitaries at the National Discourse on late Lt. Col Adekunle Fajuyi have attributed various challenges facing Nigeria as Nation to leadership problems, saying only solution to the crisis is restructuring that will be acceptable to all ethnicity within the entity call Nigeria.
They made this declaration at the National Discourse on late Lt. Col Adekunle organised by the Ibadan Discourse Group (IDG) with the theme, “Fajuyi: Essential Values for National Leadership” held at House Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Speaking at the event, Dr Mimiko said leadership is the Nigeria problem as a nation, saying what Fajuyi did in the night of the coup that took his life and his boss, Aguiyi-Ironsi was the very best quality any nation could have a nation.
He maintained that Adekunle believed that other ethnicity should be protected even with the last drop of his blood, which he did on that faithful night.
Mimiko said further the most critical issue Nigeria must battle is the dysfunctional system which can only be addressed by restructuring.
According to him, “there is critical issue we must battle as a nation. We must address the structure that bring us together as a nation, restructuring that will be acceptable to all the ethnicity”.
Also speaking, the Patron of the IDG Ambassador Yemi Farounbi commended late Fajuyi on bravery, doggedness and sacrifice he made by sacrificing his life to guide against ethnicity crisis, which could be best described as exemplary loyalty in leadership.
“Late Fajuyi was on a frontline military mission in Congo where he performed excellently and was decorated with the Military Cross, the highest British medal for courage.
“The similar courage he showcased when he stood by his Head of State and Supreme Commander, Major-General Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, by laying down his life.
“Aside his military bravery, Fajuyi administrative prowess included his stoppage/quelling of the operation Wild Wild West political crisis (Operation Wet E) of the then Western Region between loyalist and supporters of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of IDG, Chief Adebisi Adesola referred to late Colonel Fajuyi as a worthy national hero to be referenced as a case study in the quest for Nigeria’s unity anchored on good leadership.
He maintained that Fajuyi was a rare cardinal whose leadership carried the value, sacrifice, hospitality and prevented two regions of this country from being at dagger drawn.
Chief Adesola emphasised the need to reflect on Fajuyi’s leadership qualities, which comprises sacrifice, hospitality, and courage as a foundation for restoring value-based leadership in Nigeria.
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