Obasanjo, Sanwo-Olu, Olajumoke, Afikuyomi, Erelu , Others Extol Chief Rafiu Jafojo’s Virtues At 10th Memorial Lecture

Eminent personalities across the south West converged on Ikeja , Lagos on Thursday to extol the virtues of the late elder statesman and former first civilian deputy governor of Lagos State, Chief Rafiu Adeyefa Jafojo.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was represented by his wife, Chief Mrs Bola Obasanjo while the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was unavoidably absent was represented by a powerful delegation.

Others were Senator Bode Olajumoke, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Erelu Abiola Fernadex, representative of Aare Onakakanfo, Barrister Yinka Oguntimehim, Chairman of Ikeja local government, Hon Dauda Akeem, Afenifere chieftain, Chief Supo Shonibare, a former member of house of representatives, Hon Taofeek Adaranijo and former presidential candidate and publisher of Ovation International, Aare Dele Momodu.

Also present were the national legal adviser of the All Progressives Congress, Babatunde Kwame Ogala,SAN, Ologba of Ogba, HRM Oba Abdulateef Egbeyemi , Hon Supo Ajayi who represented Cardinal Omolaja Odunmbaku amongst others.

Paying tributes to Chief Jafojo, Senator Olajumoke said he was attracted to him by his humility and unity of purpose which existed among the Afenifere, the pan Yoruba socio political organisation.

Senator Olajumoke said the fact that Alhaji Jafojo and his boss, Chief Lateef Jakande were both Muslims never mattered because of their simplicity, urging his followers to follow suit.

Speaking earlier , Prof Olatunji Olateju, who spoke on ‘ public service , party loyalty and political integrity, the enduring lessons from Chief Rafiu Jafojo’, went down the memory lane that the name ‘Jafojo’ is pronounced ‘ Jaojo’ because he was originally from The Source, Ile-Ife.

According to him, Chief Jafojo was loyalty personified and a party man to the core. Prof Olateju said despite the trend then in the Unity Party of Nigeria’s controlled states where virtually all the deputy governors challenged their bosses for the governorship, Chief Jafojo, he said stood by Alhaji Lateef Jakande, his boss.

He, however, deplored the trend nowadays in the political system whereby party discipline and supremacy have been relegated to the background.

To Prof Olateju, Chief Jafojo was a perfect example of party loyalty and discipline.Hon Gbenga who represented the secretary to the state government of the Chief Jafojo’s era, His Emminence Asiwaju Basorun Olorunfunmi, said Chief Jafojo was a party man to the core going by his loyalty to Alhaji Jakande.

Reading the abridged version of his biography, one of his sons and former Chief of Staff to the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Adewale Jafojo said:

“Late Chief Rafiu Bakare Adeyefa Jafojo lived a fulfilled and distinguished life ofservice to Lagos State, the nation, and humanity. He was widely respected for his political wisdom, truthfulness, integrity, humility, and rare ability to unite people across every walk of life.

“He was born on December 6, 1935, at 105 Denton Street, Ebute Meta, LagosState, to Late Pa Bakare Adeyefa Jafojo and Late Madam Taiwo Adebunmi ofIsale Awori, Ikeja. He grew up in Ikeja as the only surviving son of the family alongside his beloved sisters, Late Madam Modupe Ayo-Vaughan, Late Madam Amudalat Jafojo, and Late Alhaja Mulikatu Jafojo.

“On January 9, 1962, he married his beloved wife, Her Excellency Late Mosunmola A. Jafojo. Their union was blessed with children, grandchildren,great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a lasting family legacy rooted in love,discipline, and service.

“Chief Jafojo began his education at Alafia Institute, Ibadan, and later attendedChrist High School, Lagos, where he graduated with distinction.

“He began his professional career as a Building Inspector with Ikeja Town Planning Authority before traveling to England in 1961 for further studies.

“In England, he studied at Hackney Technical College, Brixton School of Building,and Northern Polytechnic Holloway, where he earned qualifications in Buildingand Building Technology. While abroad, he was active in the West AfricanStudents Union and Egbe Afenifere, reflecting his early passion for leadershipand national development.

“Upon returning to Nigeria in 1970, he briefly worked as an engineer andcontributed to important road and postal projects. However, his calling to publicservice soon led him fully into politics and the advancement of Awori people andLagos indigenes.

“From 1975 to 1977, he served as Councillor at Ikeja Local Government Counciland chaired the General-Purpose Committee. His diligence, wisdom, and dedication quickly distinguished him as a respected public servant.

“In 1978, he joined the Unity Party of Nigeria under Chief Obafemi Awolowo andwas later chosen as running mate to Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.

“In 1979, they became the first democratically elected Governor and DeputyGovernor of Lagos State, with Chief Jafojo becoming the first Awori to hold the position,” he said.