IBADAN – Stakeholders, on Wednesday, urged Nigerians to emulate the virtues of the late politician and educationist, Pa Emmanuel Alayande in order to engender all-round growth and development in the country.
They stated this at the Fifth Edition of Emmanuel Oladipo Alayande Memorial Foundation, held at the deceased’s residence in Ibadan.
The event was organised by Oluyole Progressive Front Club 91.
Speaking at the occasion, a former Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress in Oyo State, Mr Olu Abiala, said that the deceased lived as a true Christian, philanthropist and an ambassador of peace.
Abiala said that during Alayande’s lifetime, he specifically highlighted three things he would live and die for to include: Christianity, the philosophy of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).
“Chief Emmanuel Oladipo Alayande was a disciple of Christ, an ambassador of peace, welfarism and a man who impacted his community.
“He was the last to die among those who founded NUT on Aug. 31, 1931 and he lived to demonstrate the beauty of equity and egalitarianism,” Abiala remarked.
In his sermon, the immediate Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ibadan North, Rev. Olusegun Babatunde, urged Nigerians to take cues from the late icon.
Babatunde, who spoke on the theme: “Though Dead, He Still Speaks” noted that the late Alayande lived by examples, enjoining people to be wary of the way they lived their lives and what would be said about them after their earthly sojourn.
“If you want to be remembered for good, try to be good. He wielded great influence as a father, teacher and mentor.
“He was one of those who said that teachers are great and he was a philanthropist. He paid students’ fees and sponsored some politicians,” the cleric said.
In an interview, the National President, Ibadan Grammar School Old Students’ Association, Chief Gafar Ojetola, said there had never been anyone who had served the school as Chief Alayande did as principal.
He said he was the principal of the school for 20 years and he left an indellible mark and legacies that could not be forgotten.
Ojetola urged leaders in various spheres to imbibe Alayande’s virtues so as to move the nation forward.
Alayande, an educationist, politician, a Venerable in the Anglican Communion and philanthropist, died in November 2006 at the age of 96.