*Institutes Benjamin Adekunle Memorial Lecture
The children and extended family of the late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle have unveiled plans to mark the 10th Anniversary of the late hero’s passing with events in Lagos, Ogbomoso and Abuja.
A statement on behalf of the family by Mrs Busola Olagunju (nee Adekunle) said the Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, former Governor of Oyo State General Oladayo Popoola, the Oyo Sy=tate Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade and a host of others are expected at the event.
According to her, the weeklong remembrance activities would kick off on Friday, September 13, 2024, with a private Anglican Service for family and close friends, followed by a Golf Kitty the following day September 14, at Ogbomoso Recreation Club and a service at St. David’s Anglican Cathedral, Ogbomoso on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
After the service, dignitaries are to be hosted to a Commemorative Lunch by recently retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Sir Olusegun Adekunle, on behalf of the extended Adekunle family. Other prominent Ogbomoso personalities expected are Senator Fatai Buhari, the Bishop of Ogbomoso, and the Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomoso, Professor Razaq Kalilu.
To honour their late father’s philanthropic nature, the children and family of the late war hero plan a ‘Support our Vulnerable Initiative’, for Tuesday, September 17, where various forms of palliatives including food, clothing, school bags and exercise books will be distributed to over members of vulnerable groups such as widows, the blind and the aged at the Soun’s Palace.
As part of the activities marking a decade of the death of the war hero, the family would hold the Inaugural Benjamin Adekunle Memorial Leadership Lecture on Wednesday, September 18, at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso with the theme: ‘Ogbomoso Military Gallantry and the Federal Republic of Nigeria’ at which Professor Omotoye Olorode; Dr. Olayinka Oyegbile, a journalist, academic and former Editor at The Nation Newspapers and Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani (rtd.) are expected as distinguished speakers. The Chairmen of Ogbomoso South and North are the Special Guests/Hosts at the memorial lecture.
The weeklong event is to be rounded off with a football match between the Black Scorpion FC and the Valiant Football team in a novelty match at Soun Stadium, Ogbomoso, on September 18th.
Brig-Gen Adekunle commanded the dreaded 3rd Marine Commando that captured most of the areas in the Southeast and Southsouth that were under the control of the rebel Biafra during the Nigeria Civil War from 1967-70.
