… Aiyedatiwa, ex-defence minister laud elder statesman’s intellectual depth.

A former scribe of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame and invested as a Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in recognition of his literary contributions and decades of service to public life.

The elder statesman was conferred with the two honours during his 87th birthday anniversary celebration and the presentation of two books about Afenifere and his life, held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), at the weekend.

The books were ‘Understanding Afenifere: A Journey through the Yoruba Leadership Organisation’, written by Arogbofa, and ‘Seinde Arogbofa: A Quintessential Role Model’, co-authored by Prof. W. Aderounmu and Jare Ajayi.

While reeling out Arogbofa’s lifetime achievements in literature, education and national development, the governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described him as a towering figure whose life embodies intellectual depth, moral authority and enduring relevance in public service.

Aiyedatiwa stressed that the ANA Fellowship investiture was a perfect recognition not only of Arogbofa’s literary contributions but also of his role in shaping enduring ideas and narratives.

“For decades, he has demonstrated that public life can be principled, that activism can be refined by intellect and that leadership can be firm without bitterness. Systems thrive when there are voices of conscience. Governments remain grounded when there are elders whose counsel is guided by principle and enriched by history,” the governor stated.

On his part, former minister of defence Tokunbo Kayode, who was the chairman of the occasion, emphasised that Arogbofa’s lifestyle serves as a lesson to younger generations, particularly Gen Z, challenging them to cultivate the habit of reading and writing.

According to him, the octogenarian’s book on Afenifere provided much-needed clarity on the organisation’s identity and purpose, stressing that the book opens new vistas for Afenifere to expand its scope and become more dynamic.

He said: “Anyone who can understand Afenifere will appreciate that it is a huge compendium of history’s background and evolution. He has summarised it and given us a clearer idea. Afenifere’s role is to ensure that Yoruba culture and ethos do not fade away.

“It must not become fossilised or antiquated; rather, it should be rejuvenated by bringing in younger generations. That is what Baba has tried to do, and we are grateful to him for that.”

Also speaking, Chief Sola Ebiseni, said “There is so much to celebrate about Chief Sehinde Arogbofa. His 87 years have been most accomplished in every aspect of life. He is an educationist, celebrated author and one of the icons in the struggle for the creation of the old Ondo State.

“I became so close to him in the National Caucus of Afenifere and as members of the 2014 National Conference. He was about the longest serving Secretary General of Afenifere and I feel honoured taking over from him since 2021.”

In a book review, Prof. Femi Mimiko, who was represented by the Vice-Chancellor of Sam Maris University, Supare-Akoko, Prof. Francis Ayodeji Gbore, described the books as thought-provoking and well-researched work that addresses key issues in society.

According to him, the book stands out for its relevance in today’s world, offering practical insights for readers across different backgrounds.

While expressing gratitude for the recognition he has received over a lifetime dedicated to literature, creativity and moral leadership, Arogbofa emphasised the importance of literacy, education and active participation in societal progress.