On *Sunday, 9th March, 2025,* a delegation representing the *South East-South South Professionals of Nigeria(SESSPN)* led by the National President, *Barrister Hannibal Uwaifo*, the immediate past President of the Africa Bar Association, visited the Lekki residence of *Chief Ayo Adebanjo*, the late Leader of Afenifere who died on 14th February, 2025, aged 96 years, to pay a Condolence Visit to the Family on behalf of the association.
The SESSPN delegation which comprised mostly of some members of the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees were welcomed by the Chief Ayo Adebanjo Family, and the leadership of Afenifere. *Mr. Femi Adebanjo*, the first son of Chief Ayo Adebanjo spoke on behalf of the family, while *His Royal Highness, Oba Oladipo Olaitan*, the Acting Leader of Afenifere, spoke on behalf of the group. Barrister Hannibal Uwaifo and Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, Chairman,BOT, made comments on the purpose of the visit on behalf of SESSPN.
It should be noted that some representatives of SESSPN had interacted with late Chief Ayo Adebanjo during the *2014 National Conference* when he was one of the leaders of the Southern Delegation to the Conference. SESSPN had teamed up with some professionals from the South West to form an association known as the *Southern Professionals* which was co-led by *Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju*, then President of SESSPN, and *Mr. Wale Edun*, the current Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy. The Southern Professionals was one of the key resource organizations that supported the Southern delegates during the 2014 National Conference. From the perspective of SESSPN, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, was one of the very few Nigerian political leaders whose word was his bond. You always knew where he stood on important national issues. No ifs and buts. A man of integrity. He will be sorely missed.
HRH, Oba Oladipo Olaitan talked about how Chief Ayo Adebanjo was a believer of a united Nigeria which he insisted must be anchored on equity and justice for all Nigerians. He also believed strongly on the unity of the Igbo Nation and the Yoruba Nation, as a strong foundation for Nigeria’s unity, which should be championed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere, and that was why he coined the word, *OHANIFERE*, which will be the name of a united Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere. Oba Oladipo Olaitan said that under his leadership of Afenifere, the vision of Chief Ayo Adebanjo for a strong and viable *OHANIFERE* will be actualized.
SESSPN expresses our heartfelt condolences to the Chief Ayo Adebanjo Family, Afenifere, the Yoruba Nation, and the rest of Nigeria, on the loss of this great Nigerian icon. *May his soul rest in perfect peace. *
SESSPN will be duly represented at a *Public Symposium *which will hold in Lagos on *Thursday,10th April, 2025,* to celebrate the *Life and Times of Chief Ayo Adebanjo*, and at his *Burial* which will take place on *Saturday 3rd May, 2025* at his hometown, *Isanya Ogbo, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.*
*Barrister Hannibal Uwaifo*.
President, SESSPN.
*Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju.*
Chairman, BOT, SESSPN.
