Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has again called on the Federal Government to immortalise a former Military Governor of Old Western Nigeria, the Late Lt Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, for paying the supreme sacrifice for the unity of the country.
The governor advised the government to consider naming a national monument after Fajuyi to honour him and preserve his memory.
Oyebanji made the call at the Muson Centre, Lagos on Sunday evening during a Command Performance titled Fajuyi For Nigeria, a stage play re-enacting the heroic death of the late military governor.
He said a Federal Government’s honour and recognition for the late hero would serve as a symbol of unity to inspire future generations, stressing that Fajuyi’s name deserves to be etched in the annals of Nigerian history.
The governor said the the late Fajuyi, a native of Ado Ekiti, was best known for his act of selflessness during the Nigerian counter-coup of 1966, when he chose to protect the then Head of State, Major- General Aguiyi-Ironsi, at the cost of his own life.
He noted that the history of the late Fajuyi would continue to inspire and encourage Nigerians to do what is right always, no matter the situation, to be men and women of integrity, imbibe moral values of consistent commitment to their place of birth and exhibit the highest level of patriotism to the country.
Oyebanji, however, said the Government of Ekiti State would continue to celebrate the late hero and support the family, adding that the state government would rebuild his burial place at Fajuyi Park, Ado Ekiti and elevate it to the status of a national monument.
“This evening we have once again seen history, taught by history, educated by history, encouraged by history, warned by history, encouraged to do what is right always no matter what the situation, taught us to be men and women of integrity, have moral values of consistent commitment to our place of birth, the highest level of patriotism for our nation.
“Lt. Col. Francis Adekule Fajuyi offered himself as a lamb our nation needed to preserve unity and oneness of this country. This is why I strongly feel that Nigeria has not celebrated this hero enough; this is why we also feel that the country has not shown appreciation that is commensurate with the level of Francis Adekunle Fajuyi’s sacrifice.’’
“On behalf of the people of Ekiti and the entire people of Nigeria Francis Adekunle Fajuyi died for and as your governor I hereby demand that one, national monument should be immediately named after him to honour him perpetually and further preserve his memory. Two, a posthumous national award be conferred on him and his family should benefit from some annual financial assistance from the Nigeria Army.”
