The Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed led federal government has announced its intention to name a national monument after the late and foremost Nationalist, Hon. Adegoke Adelabu popularly known as penkelemesi by his followers and admirers while alive.
The announcement was made on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by one of the grandson of Adegoke Adelabu who’s also the Honorable Minister for Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu who represented the President at the book launch in commemorating the 67 years remembrance of Adegoke Adelabu, at a ceremony which held at the Best Western plus hotel, Ibadan.
The ceremony was put together to commemorate 67 years remembrance and launch a book titled “AHEAD OF TIME” written by Dr. Dr. Yinka Adelabu an Exposition and Analysis of Thoughts and Life of Hon(Alhaji) Adegoke Adelabu in Analysis for continued unity, peace and progress of Nigeria and Africa.
Earlier in his address, the Keynote Speaker, who also doubled as the Chairman of the Adegoke Adelabu Foundation, and the Abese Olubadan-designate, High Chief Lekan Alabi noted that despite Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu’s contribution to the Nigeria and humanity as a whole, the Federal Government haven’t deem it fit to honor the legacies of Adelabu after 67 years of his demise.
The public will recall that “Gbadamosi Adegoke Adelabu was one of Ibadan’s most charismatic and influential politicians of the pre-independence era. Born in 1915, Adelabu was a brilliant scholar from Government College, Ibadan, who later worked with the United Africa Company before venturing into politics. His sharp intellect, fiery oratory, and grassroots appeal quickly earned him a place in the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), where he championed radical nationalism and social justice”
“Adelabu rose through the ranks to become Chairman of the Ibadan District Council, Federal Minister of Natural Resources and Social Services, and later Leader of the Opposition in the Western Regional House of Assembly. He was widely respected for his progressive ideas, especially his advocacy for meritocracy, sustainable development, and opportunities for all Nigerians regardless of social background. His famous phrase “penkelemesi”-a Yoruba twist on “peculiar mess”-became a household word and a symbol of his colorful political style”
“Tragically, Adelabu’s promising career was cut short in 1958 when he died in a car crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at the age of 43”
In his welcome address, the author, who’s also the grandson of Hon. Adegoke Adelabu stated that the book is about correcting the errors about Adegoke Adelabu and presenting the life and life work of a man whose life work created a context in which Nigeria can think for the progress of this nation.
“Writing the book is about correcting errors. It’s about presenting the life and life work of a man whose life work created a context in which Nigeria can think for the progress of this nation. Because without active opposition, democracy will die. Without free criticism and potent opposition a nation, intellect, culture and public morality will be stagnate. And In dissecting the life of my grandfather, you know there are many lessons to learn particularly about his thoughts for the progress of this country in his book of 1952 which I used mainly in writing this book because it was an analysis of his thoughts and lessons of his life in his book of 1952 Africa in Ebullition”
Delivering the speech of the Chairman of the Occasion, Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo who wasn’t in the country and represented by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the former Governor of Osun State stated “we are not only launching a book, we are honoring a man whose name echoes ours in Nigeria’s political skies 67 year after his exit. A man, though is time was brief but left a mark that time has not erased”
He further stated that though Adegoke’s contemporary remember him as penkelemesi but he was a people’s advocate, restless spirit who carried on his shoulder the aspirations of commoners of Ibadan and beyond.
He further described Adegoke Adelabu as Master of symbolism who branded himself in the subconscious memory of his people with songs, slogan and speeches, historians described his politics as raw, populist and rooted in the lived experiences of ordinary people.
The Book reviewer, Chief Ayo Akinyemi started by acknowledging the author’s wide mastery of queen’s language whom he has known for over 25 years.
“his strength of character, richness of his thoughts and his profound mastery of the English language, I must confess, you cannot read Yinka’s work without learning one or two grammatical expressions from his composition”
He described the book as a symbol of Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu’s political philosophy and ideology, and includes excerpts his classic book, “Africa in Ebullition,” first published in 1952.
He further stated that the book also explores his role as a grassroots politician, leader of the opposition, and national president of the NCNC, including Adelabu’s thoughts on democratic principles, governance, and the fight against corruption.
The book’s relevance to current political issues, such as defection by politicians and political intolerance, emphasizes the need for intellectual debate and vibrancy in parliamentary systems.
and finally described Adegoke Adelabu as a man of the people, loved and adored by the masses.
In attendance were: the Ooni of Ife, ably represented by Oba Adedire Adewole; The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa ably represented by Hon. Sunday Olajide the Honorable Commissioner for Urban Development in Ondo State and the Eze-Ndigbo of Yoruba land. In their separate goodwill messages, they all acknowledged the intelligence of Hon. Adegoke Adelabu and his records both as a student of Government College Ibadan and as a stateman remains unbeaten despite his short but impactful time in politics and governance.
Other important dignitaries were the families of Adegoke Adelabu and Salawu, friends, political associates and business partners of Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Honorable Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
