PRESS STATEMENT
The Ogun State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), mourns the painful exit of one of the illustrious daughters of Ogun, a foremost grassroots politician, women and community leader,Chief Titilayo Ajanaku, who hearkened to the glorious home-call yesterday, Wednesday, December 4, 2019.
Mama Ajanaku, reputed as the first female local government council chairman, former Special Adviser on Women Affairs to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and the Otun Iyalode of Egbaland, lived her eventful live in dedicated service of her nursing profession, her community and women.
She was a great mobiliser and very vocal on issues pertaining to women’s rights and gender balancing. Her political posturing and activism also brought her against the military junta, for which she bore the brunt, as she was among those politicians arrested, detained and charged in 1995 before the General Patrick Aziza-led military panel over phantom coup.
As one of the pillars of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), a political organisation founded and nurtured by late Alhaji Sheu Musa Yar’dua, Mama Titi Ajanaku served as a source of inspiration and beacon of hope to many people, especially women in politics.
As a patriot, she was not only fully involved in the mobilisation that spurred the emergence of late Chief MKO Abiola as the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), at its Jos Convention, she was a critical part of the electioneering that saw the victorious emergence of Chief MKO Abiola during the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which has been globally adjudged as the freest and fairest in the annals of presidential elections in Nigeria.
This was confirmed by no less a personality than the former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, at page 186 of his book, Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics (2019).
With the passing away of Chief Titi Ajanaku, Ogun State has indeed lost a political Amazon, a benevolently community leader and a champion of women’s right. While we mourn with Kabiyesi the Alake of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, the Egba Council of Chiefs, family members and political associates, we pray that Almighty God will repose her wonderful soul and give those she left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
E-Signed
TUNDE OLADUNJOYE
Publicity Secretary
Ogun APC Caretaker Committee