By Daud Olatunji

THE name, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, is a household name. Mention the name anywhere in Nigeria, it rings a bell. But, like the popular axiom, the rich also cry. Before the name became a household one,  the bearer had a lot of tales to tell.

Indeed, the beginning was not only rough but also very arduous and challenging. Hope was almost dashed while cherished   property was sold with a view to securing the future.

•Ajayi: Was a consistent Awoist

Prior to the demise of Pa Ajayi, who was the founder of top Nigerian law firm and a chieftain of the Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, who died penultimate Friday, his reputation has soared.

The elder statesman was   born in Isara Remo on April 8, 1925 to Mr Benjamin Awoyemi Ajayi who was a farmer and Marian Efundolamu Ajayi who traded in farm produce to sustain the family.

History has it that the upbringing of Sir Ajayi was not rosy as he lived with his uncle in Epe, Lagos state where he first enrolled at the Islamic Primary School, Epe and schooled for three months.

Unfortunately, his uncle was unable to pay the tuition which was three pence. He had to quit school and when his father heard of the development, he came to Epe and took him away to Isara to continue his primary education.

He was later enrolled into a primary school in 1937 and completed his primary education in Ode-Remo after-which authorities of the school engaged him to teach there due to his intelligence and excellent result.

In a bid to further his education, Sir Ajayi resumed by teaching the Class Two pupils (Nursery 1/2) for a year and he was paid 10 shillings, six pence per month.

It was also learnt that, Sir Ajayi put aside two shillings, six pence and later increased it to five shillings so that at the end of the year he could have at least £6 saved for himself.

Desperately thirsty for higher education, Sir Ajayi applied to Wesley College, Ibadan, Oyo State, for a four year teacher’s course.Owing to the fact that there were no means of funding his 4-year course, he reportedly approached the manager of the schools in Remo and Ijebu district, to request for a written consent to the principal of the school to defer payment of his school fees till the following year.

And having done that, Sir Ajayi had to look for money to buy a few other things to take to school.

And he passed through hardship paying for the remaining two years at the college as there was no source of funding.

After leaving Wesley college, Sir Olaniwun became a supervisor of schools for the entire Remo and Ijebu province. He later   travelled   to the United Kingdom to study Law , attended the London School of Economics and Political Science and also studied to become a chartered secretary.

On returning to Nigeria, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi worked with the UAC where he rose to the position of the assistant group legal adviser with Chief Ernest Shonekan as his junior in the legal department of UAC.

He worked with the UAC for six years until his resignation.

Almost a year after his resignation from UAC, Sir Olaniwun was appointed by the then Governor of the Western State, Brig. Gen. Christopher Rotimi as commissioner for education until after two years he was appointed commissioner for health. After about three years when of public service as commisioner for health, Sir Ajayi   went into private practice as a lawyer.

He has authored five books  “House of Oduduwa Must Not Fall”, “Adunola: In Retrospect”, “Nigeria: Africa’s Failed Asset”, his   autobiography, and Isara Afotamodi: My Jerusalem.

Sir  Ajayi married late Mrs Adunola Ajayi, who died on the 6th of December 2007. Their union is blessed with two   medical doctors; Ola Ajayi, and the first child, Mrs. Dara Odubogun while the third and fourth children; Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN, who was recently ordained as a minister, and Mrs. Olayimika Philips are   lawyers.

Buhari, Govs, others pay tributes

President Muhammadu Buhari was among eminent Nigerians, who mourned the late  Ajayi.

Apart from President Buhari, other prominent Nigerians such as Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode; Ogun State governor, Sen Ibikunle Amosun; former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel , Senator Gbenga Kaka and Senator Solomon Olamilekan among others.

President Buhari in his tribute described the deceased as a patriot, who tenaciously worked for the development of the country.

The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,   Femi Adesina, paid tribute to Pa Ajayi’s inspirational and dedicated work to entrench and strengthen democracy in Nigeria through his passionate engagements in Afenifere, the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, and the Patriots.

“Ajayi must have been guided by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s principle. The late revered Yoruba leader effectively combined his sharp commentary on the state of affairs in Nigeria with uncommon patriotism while working tenaciously to further unity, development, and prosperity in the nation.”

Ambode in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the late Ajayi was a frontline politician who was passionate about the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria.

Amosun described the late Ajayi as one of the icons of Ogun State and one of the architects of modern Nigeria.

On his part, Daniel said: “late Sir Ajayi was a very strong force in Nigerian polity and well respected in the political landscape over the years as he improved on the democratic ideals of the founding fathers and played his role in the service to the nation in various capacities”.

Kaka in his condolence message described Ajayi as a “consummate Awoist, political mentor to innumerable, legal icon, epitome of good morals, neatness personified, educationist, a communicator par excellence, spiritual developer in his area of influence, passionate up holder of our cultural values, peace maker with no boundaries and outstanding lover of his family ,community and nation.

Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole in his tribute described late Ajayi as an icon that will be sorely missed by the people.

Bankole who expressed shock over the death of Ajayi said, the country needed the elder statesman this time for more elderly wisdom and guidance.