Family and friends of the late Afenifere chieftain, Sir Olanihun Ajayi , yesterday recounted their last moment with the great icon.
The deceased’s first son, Dr. Koyinsola Ajayi, while speaking with The Nation, recalled that the late Sir Ajayi planned a meeting with his children, which was to hold on Friday, the same day he passed on.
“There was no sign or foreboding that something was going to happen. The only warming that got me concerned was when he sent his PA to me that he wanted to see me and my other siblings. His staffs said he was also praying for each and every one of them. I saw that as a sign that he probably knew what was going to happen and he wanted to just bless everybody,” Dr. Konyinsola said of his last moment with his dad.
Dr Ajayi, a managing partner at the Olanihun Ajayi law Firm asserted that his late father also spent his last days working for the oneness and advancement of the Yoruba nation.
Describing the late icon as a good listener and a very caring man who provided counsel to his children, he confirmed that burial plans would be announced by the family in the coming weeks.
Another close associate of the former commissioner during the old western state, Mr Abiodun Aikomo, a Special Assistant to the President on Financial Crimes, recalled that baba had called him on Saturday to get him a copy of the newly published president president Muhammadu Buhari’s Biography.
“ I was supposed to bring it to him, so both of us will discuss and argue. He was also talking to me about Nigeria and he said; ‘we have done our bits and we are leaving the stage for you.’ It didn’t cross my mind that he was bidding me fare well.
Mr Aikomo further stated that the late chieftain’s wish during his last moments was for Yoruba leaders to be at peace with each other and for the Yoruba race to maintain her pride of place in the nation.
Aikomo, who said he was privileged to assist the late icon when he was writing his biography and two other books, also offered that baba was committed to serving to humanity and the nation during his last days.
“Assisting him exposed him to me because shared his belbief, his thoughts, his philosophy and his life with me and I saw greatness in everything that he has been through”, the presidential aide submitted.
Another early caller to the Lagos residence of the late legal luminary, Chief Ayo Adebanjo described him as a fine nationalist, a patriot and a progressive politician who served God and humanity.
Recalling their last moment, he wrote in the condolence register: “when we met last Tuesday at Ikenne and visited chief Dapo Onafowaran to drink good wine, you did not tell me you have already decided to leave. Our association has been very impactful”.
Popular Pastor, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, who described the last icon as a very active man and one of the people at the heart of the political and leadership landscape of Nigeria since pre-independence and post independence also heaped praises on late Ajayi as a repertoire of the Yoruba race and the Nigerian struggle.
“The last discussion I had with him was about the Ife kingdom and he was encouraging some of us to get involved in him. He was a man of style and very impeccable. Nigerian should emulate the truth, the integrity and the fort rightess and the love, loyalty and passion for Nigeria.