FORMER SPECIAL ADVISER ON WOMEN AFFAIRS, TITI AJANAKU FOR BURIAL IN APRIL

The son of the deceased had earlier confirmed her death, which occurred at her Ibara Housing Residence, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital on Thursday December 5, after  a long battle with terminal illness for some years.

Penpushing further reports that, the late Ajanaku  was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Chairman Premier Local Government Abeokuta and, indeed, the first woman to be elected as a local government chairman in Nigeria.

The late Ajanaku was a trained nurse, administrator and women leader, who was born on January 25, 1946 at Ago-Odo Quarters in Abeokuta, Ogun State. She attended Nawair-Ud-Deen Secondary School, Abeokuta and trained in Nursing at Stobhill General Hospital, Nether-Edge City General Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom between 1964 and 1965.

Penpushing further reports that, Ajanaku, was a member of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives of Nigeria (NANNM) and was also one of the top politicians arrested and arraigned in 1995 over phantom coup before the Patrick Aziza-led military panel. The late woman politician dumped the PDP in 2015 and joined the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) ahead of that year’s election

The former President, Olusegun Obasanjo in his reaction , expressed shock over the death of his erstwhile Presidential Adviser on Women Affairs, noting that her loyalty and commitment to women affairs development was exemplary and worthy of emulation.

Penpushing also reports that Obasanjo in a condolence letter also recalled how the late erudite Nursing professional joined other Nigerians to visit in 1998 to persuade him in contesting for the Presidential election.

The  former President  described her as a woman who would do everything in her capacity to uplift, improve and advance the cause of women, saying, this largely formed  reasons for her been appointment as his Women Adviser, the position she served creditably well.

Penpushing reports that, Obasanjo who wrote a personal condolence letter to the Head of the Ajanaku family stated that Ajanaku played a prominent role in his decision to contest for the post of President in 1998.

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun  in his own remarks expressed shock over the sudden death of Chief (Mrs.) Titi Ajanaku describing  the late Otun Iyalode of Egbaland as a foremost political activist, an astute administrator and a woman leader, who served the State meritoriously as the Chairman, old Abeokuta Local Government Council, as well as the nation, at the Federal Executive Council.

“I received the news of the demise of this great woman with rude shock. Mama Ajanaku was a woman of many parts; a trained Nurse, an activist, who fought the cause of women, a politician of high repute and a great philanthropist.

  “We will miss her, particularly now that all hands are needed to build our future together. Though she is no more, we are happy that she lived an impactful life, a life of service to God and humanity”, Abiodun said.

 The Governor noted that the death of the former Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Women Affairs has created a vacuum which would be difficult to fill, adding that his administration would miss her services, wise counseling and advice.

Penpushing also reports that, while praying God to grant her soul eternal rest and the family, the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss, the Governor urged them to imbibe her exemplary life of service to God and humanity.

The Iyalode of Yorubaland,  Alaba Lawson in her own condolence message to the family of the late female politician described the death as a shock and sad to her, stating that  Ajanaku will be remembered as a keen philanthropist, stressing that her exit was a great loss to Ogun State and Nigeria in general.

‘It is with great shock and sadness that I learnt of the passing away of the Otun Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief (Mrs) Titilayo Ajanaku.  A political colossus who despite being a female dominated both the social and political landscapes in Nigeria striding both worlds with ease, dexterity, finesse and poise’

The letter added that, Lawson who recalled that the deceased was the first woman to be elected as a Local Government Chairperson in Nigeria, was able to leave an indelible mark in a man’s world, stressing that her legacies have continue to be a source of enlightenment and inspiration to all.

‘’Chief Mrs Titilayo Ajanaku was the first woman to be elected as a local government Chairperson in Nigeria. She will also be remembered as a keen philanthropist. Her exit is indeed a great loss to Ogun State and Nigeria in general’, Lawson emphasized.

‘I pray that the Almighty God Jehovah grant her family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May Mama’s marvelous legacies which she has bequeathed to our generation continue to be a source of enlightenment and inspiration to us all.

The women leader in Yorubaland, added in the letter to the bereaved family, ,’On behalf of all women in Egbaland and Yorubaland both at home and in diaspora, please accept my sincere condolences’

Penpushing also reports that, the former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Salimot Makanjuola- Badru  in her reactions  expressed shock over the death of former Presidential Adviser on Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs) Titilayo Ajanaku, noting that her loyalty and commitment to women affairs development will remain relevant in the country and beyond

The former number two citizen of the State stated this in a condolence message, pointing out that the late politician was exemplary and worthy of emulation, describing her as a great leader in all ramifications.

The statement stated that the deceased played major roles during the formative stage of the nation’s democracy and its nurturing even until her death, adding that she was a role model to both  men and some, as well as the young and old.

‘Chief (Mrs Titilayo Ajanaku was a great leader in all ramifications. She was a senior colleague in Nursing and also in Politics. A very passionate and active woman who became the first Female Chairman of the defunct local government (Abeokuta)’, Makanjuola-Badru said.

Penpushing further reports that, the former Deputy Governor lamented that, Ajanaku exit was a big vacuum in the political landscape, emphasisng that womenfolk will miss her so much, as political colossus who despite being a female dominated both the social and political landscapes in Nigeria

The former Deputy Governor prayed for her soul to rest in perfect peace, and called on the Almighty God to grant her family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.