Oyo remembers, honours Adelabu ‘Penkelemesi’
http://www.gatewaymail.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Adelabu-Adegoke...Popular-as-Penkelemesi..jpgNIGERIA: TO mark the post-humous centenary birthday of Chief Adegoke Adelabu, famous for his “Penkelemesi” name – particularly in politics – Oyo State government has named a street after him.
Adegoke was the first Minister of Social Services and Natural Resources in the First Republic.
The long road which stretch from Felele to Agodi is to be named after the late politician, Governor Abiola Ajimobi said.
The governor announced the honour done to the late politician at the dual event
which included the foundation launch held at the Civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan.
Adelabu was an opposition leader in the defunct Western Region House of Assembly and Chairman of the NCNC Western Working Committee during the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo era as the Premier of the old Western Region.
Ajimobi, who extolled the sterling virtues of Adelabu who died in a motor accident on March 25, 1958 at 43, stressed the significance of celebrating him like political leaders of his era – Awolowo and Azikwe among others.
“Adelabu is not just an ordinary Nigerian, hence, the need to celebrate him like his contemporaries who include Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamidi Azikwe and a host of others,” Ajimobi said. “It pained me that we do not celebrate Adelabu enough. By the power conferred on me as the Governor of Oyo State, I pronounce that henceforth, the road from Felele to Agodi Gate will now be Adegoke Adelabu Street.”
Reading the biography of Adelabu, the governor said, made him to discover that the late politician was a good leader and courageous politician who at every point in time led his people well.
