Return of Adekunle Fajuyi — by Dare Babarinsa

I thank my brother, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, for bringing us details and video of the new statue of Lt Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, who was killed 60 years ago. Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State had commissioned the new giant statue that would now replace the old ones. The Governor should also look into what happened to the old house of Fajuyi in Ado so that it does not end up as shops for Automobile spare parts dealers.

Fajuyi was a young military officer who was appointed the first military Governor of the Western Region. On July 29, 1966, Major General JTU Aguiyi Ironsi, the new military Head of State, was visiting Ibadan. Ironsi and Fajuyi had a busy day including commissioning the new Asejire Dam and hosting a meeting of traditional rulers across the country. That night, coup plotters came, overwhelmed the guards and wanted to abduct Ironsi. Fajuyi said no, because Ironsi was his guest. Fajuyi’s insistence was in line with Yoruba martial traditions. The coupists took the two men into the bush and when they got to Lalupon on the road to Iwo, they shot them and buried them in a shallow grave.

In early 1967, Colonel Aseyinka Adebayo, who succeeded Fajuyi as Governor, brought Fajuyi’s remain for burial in Ado. Then they created the memorial park and installed the old statue on his grave.

Since then, Fajuyi Memorial Park had been turned into an open ground for merry makers, fun seekers and merchants of delusion. I hope Governor Oyebanji would help us restore the expected sobering dignity and spiritual sobriety of a burial ground to that place. Fajuyi is our hero and he deserves eternal respect.