It was a gathering of who is who as former President Olusegun Obasanjo led prominent Nigerians to grace the public presentation of 'Ahead of Times', a book in honor of the late political icon, Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu, popularly known as Penkelemesi, on Saturday, 6 September, 2025.
The iconic event was held at the Adelabs Hall of Best Western Hotel, Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan. It was a 2-in-1 occasion for the Adelabu family; book launch, and the golden anniversary of the passing of the authors father, Alhaji Rauf Adegoke Adelabu, the first son of Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu.
Obasanjo who is the Chairman of the occasion was represented by the former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
The Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland, and Chairman, Adegoke Adelabu Foundation (AAF), Oloye Lekan Alabi was the keynote speaker.
The book presentation also attracts other personalities including Chief Ayo Akinyemi, a renowned media practitioner, who is the book reviewer; wife of Late Deji of Akure, Olori Mojisola Adesida; Representatives of traditional rulers including the Onifegunwa of Ifegunwa in Ile-Ife, Oba Adedire Adewole Solomon, who represented Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi, and Eze James Nduka Oramadike, the Eze Ndigbo of Yorubaland.
We also had in attendance at the occasion the representative of the Ondo State governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, in the person of Hon. Sunday Olajide, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development; Mr. Segun Olalere of Stone Cafe; Chief Mufu Salawu; Chief Kunle Sanda; Mr. Kamal Adeoye; Otunba Sikiru Oyinloye; Mr. Abiodun Fagbohun; Alhaji Taofeek Adedigba; Chief Akin Ayantola; Hon. Jenrade; Mr. Olubiyi Oloruntobi; Ibadan's popular AOP cum teacher, Ms. Peju Alabi, the presenter of 'Adun Ife', among others.
In his remarks, Obasanjo, speaking through Oyinlola, described Penkelemesi as a master of symbolism, a man whose name echos power in Nigeria's political circle 67 years after his exit.
Adelabu according to Obasanjo was not just a politician but an idea, a force of nature, and in many ways, a phenomenon.
Reflecting on Adelabu's legacy and academic exploits, Oloye Lekan Alabi, in his keynote address, described the late NCNC chieftain as a special breed, and also with unbroken records in politic.
"Adegoke Adelabu was not only a genius but has been a prodigy from youth with records of many firsts and double promotions at different stages of his academics and short but impactful life," he added.
Alabi wondered why Nigerian and Africa's best, brightest student and the most colourful visionary politician in Nigeria and Africa, Adelabu doesn't have a national monument named after him.
In a very captivating review, Ayo Akinyemi also described late Penkelemesi as an exceptional figure who lived an impactful and indelible life. He added that the book, 'Ahead of Times', is timely intervention in which Penkelemesi's interesting life and achievements was captured. Akinremi also commended the author for taking what he describes as a bold step in setting the record straight about the late Nationalist.
Mr. Yinka Adelabu, the author, expressed joy at the overwhelming turnout and supports from family and well-wishers on the project. Yinka, a grandson of late Adegoke Adelabu and the CEO of HeritageSeven Communication, noted that 'Ahead of Times' is put together to address mainly three historical distortions about his grandfather.
He said, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s ambition in 1952, against the narrative that is being circulated, was not to become the Premier of the Western Region, but to secure a place in the Central Parliament in Lagos.
Azikiwe according to Yinka began his career as one of the five victorious Honorables in Lagos, where the Western Region Assembly served as the legislative body responsible for nominating central parliamentarians.
He noted that Zik, however, was defeated in the tribalized politics of the time. He became the first Leader of Opposition in the Western Region.
Also setting the record straight against the backdrop that late Adegoke Adelabu opposed the Action Group's free education policy.
He said long before the free education policy was introduced, Adelabu had written in his 1952 book Africa in Ebullition that: education is the foundation of freedom. Ignorance is the basis of slavery. Therefore, experts must be called upon to institute freedom of education for Nigeria.
Adelabu's advocacy for education reform, he noted, predates the policy and is preserved in his book and parliamentary speeches still in circulation today.
On the misconception of the popular song “Igunnu l’oni Tapa, Tapa l’oni Igunnu, Mokowo wa Na”. He said the song arose after Adelabu’s acquittal from false corruption charges.
"It was never an endorsement of corruption but a defense of his innocence. In fact, he was acquitted of more than 18 allegations, thanks to the impartiality of the judiciary under Sir Adetokunbo Adebo (Chief Justice, Western Region) and Sir Foster Sutton (Chief Judge, Supreme Court of Nigeria in the 1950s)," he noted.
Also present at the book launch to support his elder brother, the author, was the Agbaakin Parakoyi of Ibadanland and Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, who delivered a powerful vote of thanks at the occasion.
0 Comments