The leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has been confirmed to be alive and in good health, dispelling rumors of his demise that circulated on Sunday morning.
Sola Ebisieni, the national secretary of Afenifere, debunked the news, clarifying that Pa Adebanjo is well and was recently seen at a meeting with other Yoruba leaders.
“That is not correct, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, our leader is alive; he is hale and hearty,” Ebisieni stated. “He has even directed me this morning to issue a statement to that effect. I was with him last night in a meeting with other Yoruba leaders.”
Ebisieni explained that the confusion arose from a mistaken identity involving the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Ayo Banjo, who passed away on Friday.
“There was an announcement on the vice-chancellor from the University of Ibadan, Ayo Banjo, who died,” he clarified.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu extended his congratulations to elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark on his 97th birthday anniversary. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu joined family, friends, and well-wishers in celebrating Chief Clark’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s political landscape.
The statement read, “President Bola Tinubu congratulates elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, on the special occasion of his 97th birthday. President Tinubu joins family, friends, and well-wishers to celebrate an inimitable figure in Nigeria’s political evolution.”
President Tinubu praised Chief Clark for his role in guiding various administrations and for being a catalyst for critical discourses and causes aimed at advancing national development.
“As the elder statesman marks his birthday, the President wishes him many more years in good health,” the statement concluded.