Governor
Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has taken a bold step to immortalize two of
Nigeria's early leaders who died during a powerful tussle.
The palm tree in question
The government of Oyo State has taken a giant stride at expanding
the frontiers of historical tourism in the state as it has set in motion
all machinery needed for the transformation of the spot where a former
Nigeria’s Head of State, late Aguiyi Ironsi and the then Military
Governor of Western Region, Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi were murdered into a
memorial park.
The Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi mobilised and
galvanised all parties and stakeholders whose input and presence of
minds are needed at ensuring the project see the light to site
inspection ceremony on Wednesday 28 March, 2017.
According to the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Prince Toye Arulogun “the
Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi emphatically urged us to ensure the
consultation and participation of all perceived stakeholders in this
project viz; the Military, the families of the deceased officers, the
museums and monuments, House of Assembly, Aguyi Ironsi–Fajuyi Foundation
and the Lalupon Community”
Adhering strictly to the directive, Prince Arulogun made sure that
representatives of all the appointed stakeholders were present including
Ambassador Thomas Aguyi–Ironsi, who represented the Ironsi family,
Agbaakin of Ibadan land. Oloye Lekan Alabi who represented the Adekunle
Fajuyi Foundation, Honourable Niyi Adeoye, Chairman, Oyo State House of
Assembly Tourism Committe and members of the committe, Mr O Olorunipa,
Curator, Ibadan National Commission for Museum and Monuments, Dr Basher
Olarewaju, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture and
Tourism and the full representation of Onilalupon–In– Council and
members of the community.
Revealing the essence of the day, Prince Arulogun pointed out ‘Today
marks another milestone in the lubrication of the chord of unity and
brotherhood between the western part of the nation and the Eastern side
of the country. It is the continuation of the brotherly love exhibited
by the late Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi who was the Governor of Western
Region to his boss, the then Head of State, General Aguyi Ironsi who was
about to be killed while the latter was on an official duty to the
region by insisting that, the murderers must kill him alongside his
guests.”
The Commissioner said “This rare show of love, care and
affection which led to Colonel Fajuyi paying supreme price has not only
saved the two ethnic nationalities from eternal contempt of distrust and
loss of confidence, but has substantially helped to cement the trans –
ethnic relationship and confidence building between the two groups”.
Prince Arulogun said “Thus, history beckons on the Oyo State
government not only to keep the record of what happened 50 years ago on
the shelves of library and academic vaults, but to step up at enhancing
the exact spot where the event took place not only as a point of
historical reference, but also to showcase to this generation and
generation yet unborn the site where the West – East brotherhood was
consummated and planted.”
He revealed “According to Governor Ajimobi who said that we are
duty bound to showcase the spot where gallantry was displayed by
Nigerian military officers, where loyalty was showcased at its best and
where trust was brazenly extolled not minding paying with their souls.
This is the reason why we are here today”.
Prince Arulogun informed “To show that God Almighty sanctioned
and approved the planting of a memorial garden here on the plot , we
gathered that all attempts at selling the land was never successful .
Also , the indelible blood stains and the bullet holes which are visible
on the palm tree which stands like a colossus after 50 years are all
testimonies of the goodness of today’s event.”
Prince Arulogun who commended all the stakeholders for the
attendance specially lauded the owners of the plots of land where the
army officers were murdered “not only for offering the land to the
government with little compensation, but for not insisting on selling
the land at all cost”.
The park and garden, prince Arulogun revealed “is an emphasis on peace, unity and oneness of the nation”
Reinforcing the above Oloye Lekan Alabi who commended Senator
Ajimobi for doing that which is good at the sight of the Lord and
welcomed by the spirit of the people said that generations yet unborn
will not forget this act in a hurry”.
“It is heart warming that senator Ajimobi is not only
immortalising these heroes here, but sowing the seed of
trans-generational historical knowledge as many children will not only
be aware of the characters of the dead heroes, but also read about their
values which they exhibited and represented”
Oloye Alabi said that, he would adequately communicate the proceeding of the day to the Fajuyi family.
With emotion laden voice, Ambassador Aguyi –Ironsi said he was
short of word to convey the gratitude of the Aguyi -Ironsi family to the
Governor of Oyo State and the people the State who deemed it necessary
to establish the Ironsi – Fajuyi Memorial Garden Park.
Ambassador Aguyi Ironsi while speaking demanded for a bottle of
water which he poured on the ground “I hereby offer my dead father a
drink before I take a sip on the ground on which he was killed for
peace, unity and togetherness of Nigeria”.
He thanked the good people of Lalupon ‘for their love for the dead
heroes and the willingness at releasing the plots of land for the
project”.
The Curator of Ibadan Museum, Mr Olorunipa called on the community
to be more hospitable, friendly, warm and ready to welcome visitors and
investors as they have never seen before urging that Lalupon would soon
be a tourist town to behold.
Speaking for the community, Chief Oribayo Okeyode commended
Governor Ajimobi for his developmental strides and sense of gratitude
particularly his decision to immortalise the dead heroes by building a
tourism park in their community.
He assured the government and the families of the dead heroes of
the protection of visitors and the structures that would be put in
place.
After the speeches, Prince Arulogun led the visitors and guests on
inspection of the Palm tree which harbours some bullet holes and blood
stains of the dead heroes.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
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