June 4th, 2020 was a day that Osogbo would not forget. It was a day that the remains of Pa Joseph Aderemi Akinlade were committed to the mother earth. Pa Akinlade was an elder that Osogbo, and humanity by extension, lost too soon.
Public school education is the bedrock of national and community development. Any nation that fails to adequately invest in, or protect the legacy and heritage of, public school education, especially primary and secondary, is heading towards perpetual underdevelopment. Pa Akinlade was an avid believer of this concept. Not only did Pa Akinlade believe high standard public education system as the key to empowering our future leaders irrespective of socio-economic conditions of their parents, Pa Akinlade stood firmly in defense of public school education system without minding whose horse was being gored.
Land is an immovable asset that is very critical for standard, accessible, sustainable public education system. Locations of public schools across any city or nation play important roles in how accessible such public schools are to the people of the communities that may not be financially buoyant enough to afford the cost of daily commuting of their children and wards to schools by commercial transportation, especially in a system where Public School Transportation System is abysmal or non-existing. In addition, public schools often require expansion by construction of more classes and structures to accommodate demands from the increase in population of residents that such public schools are serving. Without adequate land, the ability of public schools to expand becomes seriously stemmed. Pa Akinlade understood this concept very well as a seasoned educationist, and he dedicated his life to defending this important legacy of public education system, land.
The former Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, scored significant unparalleled achievements in reforming the public education sector in Osun. One of these landmark achievements included construction of mega-schools across the state with primary objective of consolidating the distribution of students more cost-effectively. One drawback however was the policy of that administration that many observers believed resulted into compromising the sanctity of the public ownership of significant parts of the land of public schools that this administration inherited from its predecessors. With demolition of old ageing classrooms and erecting more befitting mega-classrooms across the state, parcels of the land of public schools across the state were left unoccupied. Some schools were out-rightly vacated when their students or pupils were merged with the nearby schools as part of the cost-effective management policy of Aregbesola’s administration.
In fast growing communities like Osogbo, where land is as precious or more precious than gold, different interest groups quickly capitalized on this glitch in the policy of Aregbesola’s administration to encroach on public schools’ land across the state, especially in Osogbo. Some savvy organizations that could read in between the lines quickly took steps to prevent balkanization of what they considered to be legacies that must not be bastardized. It was even reported that the then Governor Aregbesola ceremoniously issued a certificate of occupancy to an organization in Osogbo, ceding the ownership of a significant portion of a public school’s land from public domain to that organization. Another popular school in Osogbo quickly lost large portion of its land from public ownership. In addition, the centrally located land of the then Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo, was marked for conversion into a mall, a move that many criticized, especially those that witnessed siting of mega malls like Wal-Mart, Ikea, etc usually on virgin land or remote communities in other climes for expanding development to such newly developing areas. Then a move was allegedly made by the administration of Aregbesola aimed at carving out significant portion of the land of the first secondary school in the whole of the old Osun Division, which later became Osun State, the almighty Osograms – Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo. Pa Akinlade could not hold back any longer. The Octogenarian had had enough. He could no longer fold his hands while watching the most precious legacy we owed, and still owe, the posterity being viciously violated.
Pa Akinlade spread his tentacles as a veteran educationist. He networked with the alumni of the Osograms across the globe and commenced fearless legal challenge against the State of Osun over the plan to, what he called, balkanize lion size of the land of this great school.
For those that do not know Osograms, this school happened to be the very first secondary school in the whole of Osun Division that covered vast geographical area that Osun State currently, by and large, covers. Just like many of the currently existing Western Education secondary schools in Nigeria that were established before 1970, the idea of having a secondary school in the then Osun Division was reportedly conceived by a group of Christians. Members of the All Saints Anglican Church, Osogbo reportedly believed that Osun Division needed a secondary school. Financial requirements transformed this idea into what many other communities bought into including, but not limited to, the good people of Ede, Ikirun, Odo-Otin, Ifelodun, etc. According to the information published at the website of Osograms, https://osograms.org/index.php/general/historyhtml, Oba Samuel Adenle, the then Ataoja of Osogbo, personally supervised the construction of the first classroom of this great school after providing numerous acres of land for this school in collaboration with his subjects, the good people of Osogbo who happily donated this land for the sole purpose of educating the posterity. The school finally commenced session in May 1950 under the management of a Steering Committee and, later, a Governing Council comprising His Majesty, Oba Adenle I, the Ataoja of Osogbo; His Majesty, Oba Adetoyese Laoye I, the Timi of Ede; His majesty, Oba Sanusi Araoye, the Olobu of Ilobu; among many others.
Just as Albert Einstein once said, “the world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing”, Pa Akinlade would not sit still watching the legacy of the rich history of this great school being abrogated.
In a news published by the Vanguard on October 11, 2018, while opposing the unpopular move of the government of the State of Osun to converting significant part of the land of this public school to non-public education related purposes, Pa Akinlade reported that “Government had initially planned to use parts of the land for a market, but we protested against it changed the decision. Now it has laid out some plots and given to some private individuals for private use and commercial purposes.” (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/alumni-association-osun-govt-tango-over-conversion-of-schools-land-to-private-use/). In response and defense of the government’s policy, Mr. Akintunde Akinade, the then Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning in Osun State, held that “it was the left over lands belonging to the school that government is trying to put to other uses, instead of leaving them lying waste over the years.” This assertion of this Commissioner confirmed the fears of the lovers of public education system across the globe that the government of the state of Osun was truly mortgaging the legacy of the public education system by abridging the capability of expansion of these schools in the near future when increase in population will definitely increase the demands for public education system. This further convinced many people across that globe that Pa Akinlade was fighting a good cause.
Pa Akinlade rallied other alumni of the Osograms across the globe and commenced a civil suit against the government of Osun State against this unpopular balkanization of this public school land. This move resonated well with many lovers of public education across the globe. In a nation where sycophancy, especially towards the powerful people in the corridor of power, was the norm; in a nation where people tend to only defend properties that personally belonged to them but considered public property as national cake free for all to plunder; in a nation where people of Pa Akinlade’s age and life successful achievements were more concerned about how to care for their grand children and great grandchildren with little or no passion for defending the future of other less privileged children and grandchildren, the gallantry of Pa Akinlade for speaking the truth to the people in power in defending the interests of the posterity while damning the possible terrible consequences as possible reprisals against him and his interests was not only unprecedented, but equally unfathomable.
Early in 2019, Dr. Lateef Bamidele Opawoye, all the way from Maryland, USA, and in support of this fearlessness and bravery of Pa Akinlade, wrote “Dear Sons and daughters/lover of Osogbo, please take time to read the press release of Osogbo Grammar School Old Students. For those who know the history of the establishment of Osogbo Grammar School will be disheartened to see how those who were not even born then now see it as their priority to grab the land genuinely meant for the school. It is shameful to see the government sharing the land property belonging to generation yet to be born. If our governments do appreciate history/heritage they ought to have preserved the first building built by late Papa Samuel Adenle, Ataoja of Osogbo. That particular building in the Western world will remain as a museum. We are quick to destroy. Right now it is perceived that the past/present government are out there turning all the lands of many schools into either shopping complex or residential areas. How on earth can the land donated decades ago by well-meaning Osogbo citizens to be given to private developers to make huge money from originally donated lands? No other name to call this but Land Grabbing by the government old and current one. We owe it a moral duty to rally round the Old Student Body of Osogbo Grammar school in their struggle to stop this obnoxious action of the government been carried out by the Ministry of Education/Surveyor General office. We employ all lover of justice and preservation of heritage to rise up and join in this fight. No pecuniary gain must be made by the government from donated land by our grandfather/grandmothers for education not residential or commercial complex. Ilu ajoji ni ilu Osogbo since founded. Every son/daughter and residents of the ancient city must come together to stop the government apparatus from distributing community lands among their cronies. Osogbo Progressive Union, this is a good fight to be part of. Encourage all our people to be part of this just struggle. Papa Adenle and late Chief Omigbodun are watching from their graves the step we are taking to stop this. Names are preserved for the purpose of history. …………………… The court case initiated by Old Students Body of Osogbo Grammar will come up on Feb 21st in room 2. Go there and give them your solidarity support. ……………………………………. We can do same now to stop the grabbing of all land properties not only Osogbo Grammar school but other schools. Your moral and financial support will be needed in this struggle. Help forward this email to other fellow concern citizen. Mr. Akinlade you are not alone in the struggle. Remain resolute in this just struggle. PUT YOUR POLITICAL CAP IN THE CLOSET. WORK TOGETHER AS CONCERN RESIDENTS/INDIGENES OF OSOGBO. Latif Opawoye MD, USA” (some typos corrected by GratfWatch).
This bravery of Pa Akinlade also happened to be coincidental with the time Dr. Omoniyi Yakubu Adebisi, a Consultant of Family Medicine and Obstetrics, visited St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo (St. Charles) and discovered similar encroachment on the land of public school that Pa Akinlade and his team were litigating against at Osograms. Dr. Adebisi happened to be an alumnus of St. Charles who also spent one year at Osograms as a Higher School Certificate (HSC) student. He said that he too, like Pa Akinlade, cried foul to the ears that were ready to listen that this balkanization of the land of public school was a great disservice to the plights of our younger and future generations. Dr. Adebisi noted that while many people, for whatever reasons best known to them, considered him as an ingrate that failed to appreciate the benefactor(s) that gave him opportunity of graduating from St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, he said Pa Akinlade saw in him an ideological child that deserved full support.
Dr. Adebisi noted that St. Charles historically shared a lot in common with the Osograms in that both were initiated by Christians; both had land donated from good people of Osogbo through the same Oba Adenle, the then Ataoja of Osogbo; both had produced numerous professionals making waves across the globe and both had remained public properties for over four decades. Dr. Adebisi added that Pa Joseph Akinlade, a devoted Christian and a member of Canon Akinlade Memorial Anglican Church, Osogbo, supported him fully and provided useful advice to him on how to ensure that the struggle of retaining the ownership of public schools’ land in public domain across Osogbo and beyond was victorious. He said Pa Akinlade did not read any religious or political meaning to this ideology and that Pa Akinlade purely believed that this was the right thing to do for the posterity irrespective of religious and or partisan differences.
Dr. Adebisi added that Pa Akinlade was quick to connect the prevailing social unrests and vices like hooliganisms, illicit drug usages, the “omo-onile syndrome” etc with the words of Sage Pa Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memories who warned our leaders that “the children of the poor you failed to train (educate) will never let your children have peace” and those of Mallam Aminu Kano that warned that “Nigeria will know no peace until the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody”. Dr. Adebisi said Pa Akinlade shared the belief that the panacea to a secured society in Nigeria is accessible quality public education to every child that will ensure that children of the poor can favorably compete with the children of the rich in all aspects of life. Dr. Adebisi concluded by saying that Pa Akinlade was of opinion that ensuring accessible quality public school education without leaving any child behind would be almost impossible to achieve in the near future if the ongoing balkanization of the land of the public schools is not nipped in the bud.
Another area that Pa Akinlade is sorely being missed is peacekeeping. During the rocky days of Osogbo Professionals’ Initiatives (OPI), an association that was established by a group of old friends partly to mend cracked fences in the relationship of leadership in Osogbo, Pa Akinlade played fatherly roles in ensuring that peace reigned in this otherwise promising team. His sudden departure from this sinful world broke many hearts.
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Pa Joseph Aderemi Akinlade’s Casket |
Ayotunde Faniyi, Esq, the Interim Chairman of the OPI, first broke the sad news on March 20, 2020 on the main page of the whatsApp forum of the OPI. He wrote, while announcing the passing of Pa Joseph Aderemi Akinlade to eternal Glory, that the Icon was gone and that our OGSOSA (Osogbo Grammar School Old Student Association) indefatigable pillar is no more.
Professor Babatunde E. Adeleke, a former Vice Chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, wrote: “May the soul of our departed Education Icon, Elder, Mentor and Teacher rest in peace. He was a great son of Osogbo land who was committed to serving and lifting-up others to the glory of God. Rest in peace as you join other Saints and Angels in worshipping your Creator and Saviour. Prof B. B. Adeleke.”
Professor L. B. Adeleke of the University of Ilorin wrote: “Baba Akinlade was an indigene of Osogbo that gave his all while he was alive. I cannot count the number of times Baba came to me in Ilorin to pursue Unilorin admission for sons and daughters of Osogboland against my admonition that he should allow me to pick the request from him in Osogbo. Baba, may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace, amen: and may Almighty God grant all the family members as well as all sons and daughters of Osogboland the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
Obasanjo Onibonokuta wrote: “Pa Akinlade was a good Ambassador of Osogboland! May Baba gentle soul rest in peace. ADIEU Baba oninun reee.”
Taiwo Adeoti wrote: “Bravo sir for this profile. Unarguably a very rich one as a pioneer educationist from Osogbo, a man in the service of God till the passing on to eternal Glory, and a blazing example who laid the marker as a patriot of his motherland, Osogbo. As he is being interned, we can only wish for the peaceful transition of Pa J. A. Akinlade into the land beyond and bear it in mind to continue to thread on the good path led by him. We beseech Almighty God to forgive him of all his shortcomings and rest his soul in peace. ADIEU PA AKINLADE.”
Dr. Omoniyi Yakubu Adebisi, Interim Chairman of the OPI, wrote: “………. today is a special day for all of us as citizens of Osogboland, the day we cannot forget as a day one of our fathers and mentors is being committed to the Mother Earth. Pa Joseph Aderemi Akinlade was a rare gem that was very committed to the course of Osogboland. Very soon, the church service to celebrate his well-spent life will commence at the All Saints Cathedral Church, Osogbo. Pa Akinlade stepped in as a father when it mattered most during rocky period that we experienced in this OPI as brothers and sisters. His fatherly intervention was not only timely, but very instrumental to the continuous existence of this association. That timely intervention paved ways for this association’s current roles as one of the formidable teams championing the course of Osogboland. In addition, Pa Akinlade did not mind whose horse was being gored while defending one of the important heritages of our motherland, the public ownership of public schools’ land across the length and breath of Osogboland. He singlehanded co-opted fellow alumni of the Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo (the Osogram) all over the world to prosecute a courageous lawsuit against those powerful instruments behind balkanization of the land of this great school. In addition, he made himself available and accessible to everyone that was ready to join the team that was answering the clarion call in defending the legacy of our collective development as a people. I often tell myself that if Osogbo were to be blessed with many brave men and women like Pa Akinlade, we would surely be as daring and unshakable as a clan of lions against any act of aggression and or intimidation. May Almighty God grant him eternal and peaceful rest while giving all of us fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. May God bless us with wisdom and courage to carry the big baton that our father is passing over to us, the younger generations. Sun re o Papa.”
Alhaji Saka Adigun wrote: “May his soul rest in perfect peace. May God take care of all he left behind. Adieu Baba.”
Alhaja Bukola Abdlwakheel wrote: “Rest on PA ADEREMI AKINLADE. May Almighty God grant you eternal rest.”
Adeshewa wrote: “MAY THE SOUL OF PA ADEREMI AKINLADE REST IN PERFECT PEACE. MAY THE LORD BE WITH THE FAMILIES HE LEFT BEHIND. ADIEU BABA ALBARKA.”
Alhaji Kazeem Yusuf wrote: “Eni ire lo. Iwaju,ti baba dojuko ki oluwa je ko Dara. Eyin ti Baba fi sile ko mon baje laelae. Ki oba alawura, ko te Baba si afefe ire. May almighty Allah forgive all his shortcomings and grant him aljana firdaus. Amin.”
Dr. Kamar Toyin Kadiri, the Interim Secretary of OPI, wrote: “TRIBUTE TO A RARE GEM. GOODNIGHT PA ADEREMI. Today, we say goodnight to a distinguished, vibrant child prodigy of Osogbo. Today, we celebrate a celebrated father with uncontrollable and rigorous sense of industry and due diligence. Today, we salute a forthright custodian of morality, reservoir of sound initiatives and a crusader for humanity. Today, we send forth a lover of good news, reforms and progress in the sociopolitical and secular realm. Today, we congregate in unison to recognize an eminent, fearless personality, who was not scared of challenging, resisting and fighting oppression. Distinguished brothers and sisters here, time and space will not permit me to expatiate on this unique gift to our land, who have dissipated rare stamina to defend justice; champion equity and fair play. His unparalleled cosmopolitan spirit is characteristically visible as he clearly displayed intellectual, emotional, mental and spiritual competencies for the betterment of mankind. My beloved people, let us be consoled with the overwhelming fact that PA ADEREMI AKINDELE was a good man…..and in the words of the great Socrates, “NO EVIL HAPPENS TO A GOOD MAN WHETHER IN LIFE OR AFTER LIFE”! SAFE JOURNEY, PA.”
Ayotunde Faniyi Agbongbon Esq., Interim Vice Chairman of the OPI, wrote: “Emo ku, oju opo di. Afeebojo ku, enu isa n s’ofo. Opalamba oti Oyinbo fo, Onigbanso ko ri so. Baba Joseph Aderemi Akinlade subu, ko le dide. Orun dede, ko dele fun Baba rere to jade l’aye. Baba Akinlade was a committed Osogbo son, highly cerebral, a lover of peace but at the same time an indefatigable fighter of injustice whenever and wherever one presents itself. As an optimist, he never lost hope on any of his worldly passions. We all owe it to the memory of Pa Akinlade and glory of Osogbo, the town of our birth, to ensure that peace returns to Osogbo Oroki Asala through vibrancy of this our common platform. This we must all do in conjunction with all other indigenous groups and other stakeholders of the town. Before, I put pen to paper after watching Pa Akinlade’s funeral service via Facebook link, I quickly scanned through a book authored by his late senior brother Michael Omoniyi Akinlade of blessed memory titled- OSOGBO: THE MELTING-POT. According to Google, a melting pot is “a monocultural metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous, the different elements “melting together” with a common culture, or vice versa, for a homogeneous society”. I believe the title of the book, aptly captures what Osogbo truly represents. Let’s us all, as sons and daughters of Osogbo agreed to use today’s funeral of Baba Akinlade to rededicate our “togetherness ” for the sake of Osogbo and our ancestors one of which Baba Akinlade has become. This I enjoin us to do irrespective of any ego, or personal interests. This time calls for sober reflection, that none of us is going to live forever. May his soul rest in peace. Adieu Baba.”
Asimiyu Badri Olawale wrote: “Adieu Baba Akinlade. In 2009, when I was the Secretary of the OPU Oroki Day Planning Committee which was then chaired by Amb. Rasaq Siyanbola, Papa Akinlade was highly resourceful and instrumental to the success of the planning work then as a member of the Committee’s “Think Thank”. He attended virtually all the committe meetings. Whenever he chose to, he would recite names of all influential Osogbo Indigenes off hand both paternally and maternally, where they are, how they can be reached, etc. One would marvel at his oratory, wide knowledge and capacity! Most of Osogbo Indigenes that were relatively unknown and doing well in their various places especially Professors, professionals, and politicians were unveiled and brought under net for the development of Osogbo. The Oroki Day Planning Committee organised a very successful and well applauded Oroki Day in 2009 bringing together at Osogbo City Stadium Governors, Senators, Reps including Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Business Tycoons, Academics, Indigenes in Disapora, etc in day. At this event about 5million cash/cheques were received while promises of over 32million in value were made due to large turn out of invitees. Pa Akinlade was influential, connected and bold to a fault all in his bid to bring growth and development to Osogbo. Despite being elderly, Papa always strived to air his views on matters that have to do with Osogbo and profer ways forward. His latest project until his death was to see to the resuscitation and revamping of the twin moribound estates in Osogbo – Steel Rolling Mills and Machine Tools – calling on all indigenes to unite and look beyond personal/parochial gains. As if Papa knew he was about to answer the call to glory, he recommended textbooks written about the two industries and individuals that could be consulted in collating necessary information and guidance in that regard. One of the ways he could be immortalised is to succeed in the revocation and resuscitation of Osogbo Steel Rolling Mills and Osogbo Machine Tools by the government. This call was instrumental to the bid of the Osogbo Community on the two industries as was recently presented at the National Assembly led by Baba Adewale Akinwumi. Today, as Papa is committed to mother earth, I wish him to rest in perfect peace.”
According to the tribute circulated by the Osogbo Innovation Group, and based on information reportedly received from his family, Pa Joseph Akinlade was born in April 1938. He hailed from Balogun Agoro Compound, Osogbo. Though he was born far away in Accra in the then Gold Coast, now known as Ghana, he spent most of his childhood in his parents’ native Osogbo, where he had his elementary education at the All Saints Primary School from 1944 to 1951. He subsequently attended the then newly established Osogbo Grammar School from 1952 to 1957. Pa Akinlade reportedly excelled in all aspects of his education and became the Senior Prefect of the school in his final year. He completed at Osograms with flying colors. Pa Akinlade’s sterling performance earned him a scholarship with which he proceeded to Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone for his university education from where he obtained his B.Sc, Dunelm degree, majoring in Physics as well as Pure and Applied Mathematics in the year 1963.
Pa J. A. Akinlade retuned to Osogbo in 1963 as a Physics and Mathematics teacher at his alma mater, the Osograms. He then joined the West African Examination Council (WAEC) at its headquarters in Accra, Ghana in 1970. He returned to Nigeria and became WAEC’s Senior Assistant Registrar and Branch Controller from 1974 to 1978, with his Operation Zone covering significant parts of the current South Western States of Nigeria. Pa Akinlade was a Principal of the now defunct Oyo State College of Technology, Ada, and subsequently lectured in the then Iree Satellite Campus of the Ibadan Polytechnic. He served at various times as Member, Governing Council of the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa (1998-1999); Member, Osun State Task Force on the National Policy on Education 1992-1999) and Chairman, Osogbo Grammar School Board of Governors (1990-1996); amongst others.
Pa. J. A. Akinlade served community of Osogbo diligently in various capacities. He served the Osogbo Progressive Union, OPU, in several capacities over many years, including being the National Social Secretary (1988-1994), National Treasurer (1994-2000) and National Caretaker Committee Member (2008-2011).
Having been born into an Anglican Christian family that has since produced clergymen including the serving Bishop Olubunmi Akinlade of Ile-Ife Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Pa Akinlade always served or assisted as organist and Choirmaster in an Anglican Church, in any community he found himself. He was until his eternal departure, an active member of the Canon Akinlade Memorial Church, Osogbo.
Pa Joseph Aderemi Akinlade authored many publications featured in journals and/or published by reputable publishers, on themes and subjects related to Pure and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Science Education, Mother Tongue and Technology, Educational Measurement and Evaluation, Osogbo Grammar School History and Development, Osogbo Progressive Union and Osogbo Community Affairs.
Pa Akinlade was married and survived by many successful children and extended family members.
While many Nigerians, including the peers, older and younger generations of Pa Akinlade, were of opinion that “government” was at liberty of utilizing any public property whatever way it wanted irrespective of the public opinion to the contrary, Dr. Adebisi stated that Pa Akinlade strongly believed that power was nothing but a temporary divine trial and that whoever was entrusted with power must utilize such in the best interests of the electorate that such person in power was representing. He added that Pa Akinlade believed that those people constituting government were human and fallible and that they must be corrected whenever they made, or about to make, any mistake that would negatively affect the interests of the electorate and generations unborn. That was plausibly one of the main reasons Pa Akinlade took on the government of the State of Osun as detailed above.
With the premature demise of Pa Joseph Aderemi Akinlade of blessed memories, the big question is who is courageous enough to step into the big shoe he left behind in the struggle of defending the best legacy we owe the posterity as a people – quality public school education that is accessible and affordable to all? The litigation between Pa Akinlade’s team and the Government of the State of Osun is yet to be finalized. The eyes of the observers across the globe were keenly glued at the court processes of this unique lawsuit hoping that its victory would open doors for more in efforts to liberate many properties of the public school system from various individuals and interest groups that capitalized on the aforementioned glitch in the policy of the former Governor Aregbesola. Who is as charismatic and as fearless as Pa Akinlade that is prepared to lead the team of the freedom fighters that are prosecuting the case against the powerful government of the State of Osun? Will this case die a “natural death” for lack of diligent prosecution with this premature departure of Pa Akinlade? Has the incumbent Governor Oyetola, as a listening leader that he has exemplified in the recent days, learnt enough lessons from the bravery of Pa Akinlade that the heritage of public education system must remain sacred and must not be toyed with? Have the legislators across the state and the nation been convinced by the actions of Pa Akinlade that the best approach towards achieving lasting peace in Nigeria is by ensuring that public education system, especially at the primary and secondary levels, gets lion share of our annual budget in order to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind in the race of life? Will the premature demise of Pa Akinlade serve as a deterrent to others that may be considering speaking the truth to the people in power or will it further encourage us to borrow a leaf from the bravery of this passing sage by reminding us all that it is the legacy we leave behind us that matters, but not how long we live? There are many more questions left unanswered by the premature departure of our courageous Octogenarian.
Adieu Pa Joseph Aderemi Akinlade. Your brand is truly rare and difficult to match. Rest in Perfect Peace Papa.
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