…Features Adekunle Fajuyi July 10
By Oluseye Ojo
In a bid to integrate values of national heroes into political and leadership systems in Nigeria, the Ibadan Discourse Group, an assembly of elder statesmen from across the South West, will on Thursday July 10, 2025, kick off national discussions in honour of notable heroes.
The event slated for the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State, and entitled: ‘Fajuyi: The Essentials for National Leadership’, would begin with the first governor of the defunct Western Region, late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi.
The coordinator of the group, Mr. Clement Ige, and the Director of Media Strategy, Mr. Dapo Falade, in a statement, said the group identifies strongly with the values of Fajuyi, particularly the attendant ingredients of passion for national sacrifice and cohesion.
“We are in a crucial stage of national building where our values have almost vanished, and both leaders and followers have almost lost elementary national visions and goals.
“At this stage, we have to remind ourselves of our history for the purpose of national re-orientation, which will re-engineer leadership process towards strategic national visions,” the group said.
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde is expected to be the host, while Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State is also expected to be the guest of honour. Chairmen of Southern and Northern Governors Forum have also been invited as special guests of honour.
The Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislature of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, would be the guest speaker, while Dr. Festus Adedayo and Prof. Osisioma Nwolise would be the discussants.
The Ibadan Discourse Group has former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines and Kingdom of Cambodia, Dr. Yemi Farounbi as the patron; and former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Chief Adebisi Adesola, as the chairman.
Eminent members of the group include former Managing Director of Daily Times, Chief Tola Adeniyi, and former Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, Amb. Ayo Olukanni; former deputy governor of Osun State, Erelu Olusola Obada; and a veteran journalist, author, and public relations guru, Oloye Lekan Alabi.