There is need for professionals, technocrats and the academia to be actively involved in politics so as to contribute their quota towards the political development and advancement of the nation’s nascent democracy.
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Chief Adebayo Adelabu stated this at the Special round table programme to review and showcase the book written by the late Political Icon and Nationalist Late Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi in 1952 titled “African In Ebullition” in the light of contemporary political and governance issues. The event which was chaired by Ambasador Yemi Farounbi was held at Olusola Sanu Center for Euro – African Studies Lead City University Ibadan ( LCU-CEAS ), in conjunction with the Ibadan school for politics and governance.
The book reviewers and debaters are Professor Alaba Ogunsanwo, Professor Ayo Olukotun, Professor Tayo Adeshina and Barister Edem Ossai. Goodwill messages were also presented by Oloye Lekan Alabi, the Chairman of Adegoke Adelabu foundation, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, a grandson of the author, Chief Mrs Olabisi Sangodoyin, a grassroot politician and Mr Jide Sanu, the son of Late Ambasador Olu Sanu. Delivering the welcome address was the Vice Chancellor of Lead City University, Professor Aderemi Adeyemo while the Pro-Chancelor and Proprietor of the university, Professor Jide Owoeye also graced the highly intellectual event. Dr Tunde Oseni was the moderator.
Chief Adebayo Adelabu in delivering his goodwill message at the event said participation in the political process is an avenue to serve humanity and contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.
“Having served in top positions in both the private and public sector as Executive Director in the largest Bank in Nigeria, First Bank and as Deputy Governor of the CBN, i believe the least I can do is to dedicate the rest of my life to serve humanity. How can you serve humanity? Beyond philanthropic efforts of assisting and supporting the less priviledged, you must take part in politics at any of the various levels available depending on your political appetite. The least you can be is to be a registered voter. You can also be an active member of a political party or an aspirant to a political office. This provides a bigger platform to serve humanity and impact more people” Adelabu said.
According to Chief Adelabu, the book African In Ebullition written by his Grandfather Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu in 1952 about 68 years ago is still relevant till today.
“I have read the book very well from first page to last and If government can implement what is inside the book, Nigeria will not be where we are today because 90 percent of the problems facing the country today would have been solved”
The 2019 Governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress said the history of Nigeria Independence and its Political development can not be completed without acknowledging the immense contributions of his late grandfather Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu.
Chief Adelabu also charged citizens and well meaning Nigerians to continue to contribute their quota towards the progress of the country as Government alone can’t solved many challenges facing the country. He however concluded that the challenge of this generation is to make our future better than our present because, as it is, our past is deemed better than our present. This is a failure of this generation. He claimed that the generation has not been able to sustain the legacies left behind by our founding fathers. He specifically made reference to the degenerated status of Oyo state and Ibadan in particular from its historical pre and post independece status. He said Ibadan was not only the Intellectual capital of the South West, but was the fulcrum for Health Care, Media, Culture and Entertainment, Tourism and Hospitality, Commerce, Real Estate etc. But today, we can not boast of any of this.
In delivering his closing remark, the chairman of the event, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi also corroborated Adelabu’s view concluding that the neglect of intellectual content is the bane of our politics in Nigeria.
Adegoke Adelabu’s family present at the event were, Alhaja Fatima Adelabu, Mr Taofeek Sadiq, Mr Gbenro Sadiq, Mrs Bola Adelabu, Mr Quasim Adelabu and Mr Yinka Adelabu who is the Secretary to Adegoke Adelabu foundation.
