Ayo Ola
Managing Partner, Law Corridor, Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, has described
an activist, Deji Adeyanju, as an exceptional man of unrivaled
caliber.
In a statement on Adeyanju’s birthday anniversary on Thursday,
Olajengbesi, who also is an Abuja-based legal practitioner, described
Adeyanju as an apostle of human rights and a forerunner of a new
Nigeria.
The statement was titled, “Special happy birthday to Prince Deji Adeyanju.’
Olajengbesi said, “There are only a few other voices in the wilderness
that is Nigeria’s rights activism with the vigour, consistency, and
relentlessness of Comrade Deji Adeyanju an exceptional man of
unrivaled caliber, and even so fewer are as motivated and driven as
the ever-kabashing comrade who has fed on locusts, lived off the sour
grapes of being punished for his convictions and worn the sac of
humility while incarcerated for his beliefs.
“Comrade Adeyanu, an apostle of human rights and forerunner of a New
Nigeria, has so often been beaten, harassed and locked up for his
views so much so that one could screenplay his struggles and never run
out of materials. In a very scary and frantic video which I have cause
to re-watch today, Deji Adeyanju can be seen running towards a vehicle
while trying to escape a herd of thugs loyal to the government but
fails to make it into the car because the frightened driver zooms off.
In what must pass as one of the scariest days of his life, Deji
Adeyanju is then pounced on by the louts and beaten to within an inch
of his life. How he survived that incident is a miracle in itself but
the greater surprise lies in the fact that barely did his wounds heal
before he went out again like a town-crier with an urgent message
drumming on the conscience of this country and daring the powers that
be. The man never relents. Ever.
“Today as he turns a year older, I cannot help remembering that
Comrade Adeyanju has once had cause to spend his birthday, Christmas
and the New Year locked away behind bars and away from his family by a
regime whose conscience remain perpetually scarred by the truth that
he speaks and represents. It would be tasking to even briefly document
his struggles and to do solely that on today’s celebratory occasion
may very undermine the facets of a man whom I’ve come to know not just
as a rights activist and social justice warrior but as a brother and
colleague as equity will have it in our noble profession. I am excited
by the refreshing prospects of having such a personality in the legal
profession even as I take this occasion to once again congratulate him
for successfully wrapping up his law undergraduate studies with a
practice license in view. Such is the dedication and deligence of
Comrade Deji Adeyanju, and it is beyond words how inspiring his life
continues to be to many out there.”
He added, “Like a lone voice crying out in the wilderness, you’ve kept
and continue to keep a good watch. You’ve led by example at the risk
of your well-being without let, forging on and birthing through your
stirring words and arguments a new generation of a socio-politically
conscious citizenry, never backing down even in the face of a
hailstorm of gas and bullets, destructive criticism and the
deprivation of personal freedom. You’re a generational gem,
intrinsically valuable and perpetually needed.
“My prayer for you today is that God gives you a reason never to back
down and the strength to always continue even in the face of
impossible odds. Perhaps more than anything else, I pray that you
always have a hand to hold and a heart to trust. May your life be
filled with joy everlasting and may you continue to grow in strength.
“Happy Birthday, Egbon!”