Today i fulfilled a duty that I owe not just another compatriot, but a soldier that we were in thesame troop for a long while locked in a different kind of “war front” at the time, in the intercine war of attrition for justice, fairness and fair play, as we know when all these ruptures war is the next route.
Distinguished Senator Tony Adeniyi was a warrior in every sense, he fought many battles.
As expected of all soldiers, he was strong, agile, fit and a man of grit, conviction and had the uncanny ability with which he commanded his troops well..and i happen to have been in that command at that time
While conventional soldiers fought with guns and items of war, in the case of Distinguished Senator Tony Adeniyi, he fought with the tool of the law and constitution in two ways, first as a minister in the temple of justice ⚖️ .
He appeared in several courts accross this nation fighting against injustice in its many hyda headed forms, if its not seeking justice in many civil cases, many I knew were pro bono, it would be in tribunals, making appearances without betraying any form of fatigue.
One of the war fronts on which he appeared was from 2007- 2010 in the case of the then ACN’s candidate Dr Kayode Fayemi versus PDP’s candidate Engr Adebayo Segun Oni.
It was a feisty and fiery 🔥 war, Uncle Tony was on the war front in two capacities, one as a legal luminary, bringing to that “war” many years in practice, but beyond that as a political warrior, because of his political involvement as a party man.
That war lasted three years, he was unshaken and gave his all as all soldiers would, putting his resources, from his legal chambers and staff to the provision of his hotel, one of his business ventures named Josemilia and all that could come from that venture thrown into the prosecution of that war, and to the glory of God, we won.
Uncle Tony’s soldierly foray eventually took a new direction when he won the senatorial election to the Nigeria Senate in 2011, and served in that different formation as a legislator, this time the war had shifted in form to the hallowed chamber of the Senate, where he had the tools of war that include representation, law making and appropriation.
Here on this new battle front, Uncle Tony deployed all tools expected to be used to win the war of securing a better life and society for his constituents from his Ekiti South senatorial district.
By my ring side evaluation, he won, judging by his performances on this new war front, i.e the Nigeria Senate, where he enjoyed tremendous acceptance among his colleagues, he got the sobriquet “Babalawo” of the Senate on the account of his depth and analytical capabilities marinated in uncommon stubbornness, this can be seen in his contributions to debates, and of course his positive interventions in the lives of his people and many communities..
Uncle Tony was a warrior indeed. He was so agile, affectionate and ever willing to engage.
Oh as I got into his expansive home in Akure today, memories of our many meetings came pouring in competing with so many of similar moments for same reasons in Abuja. One thing became clear though, you can always count on Uncle Tony, a friend indeed, straight cut.
It hurts yet again, that we just lost another lovely hearted person, even whilst still trying to adjust to the new life of an orphan, on the account of the death of my beloved Father and friend, whose burial comes up in about a week 😪, here i am doing another dirge for a man like Uncle Tony. 💔
Life and the different twists and turns, like one of my friends is wont to say anytime we hear of the death of a loved one, he would say, ” nah so we go do do so tey” one day it will be the turn of mourners to be mourned…
As we all do know, we all have this date to keep, and all that we can do is to try and live the consciousness of that day by what we do, because we won’t make it out of here alive.
As i tell people, while we are here, our works go ahead of us, and when the grim reaper comes knocking, our works will trail our steps in memories of everyone.
Uncle Tony has joined the ranks of the saints triumphant, he has ran his race, he has fought his own wars, leaving us all on the battle front of life to soldier along, unfortunately here,in this part, most times even your good works don’t stay as long as the morning dew when you are alive..how much more when death knocks? Its like there is a race to erase contributions and delight to quickly inter them..no historical recollections …so unfortunate..
I believe, that i and many others, who know the contributions of Uncle Tony will continue to keep his memories alive, as much as possible cherish the place of this great man, his contributions when the future was dark, dreary, bleak and uncertain, in our hearts , we won’t forget the long, winding and thorn infested path we walked that paved the road to this day..we won’t be guilty of corporate amnesia that pervades the land
I will hold the memories of the times we shared in our collective struggles and the pursuit of freedom dearly till we get to meet again. I will not forget, I bet many other soldiers will not.
Today, my visit was in furtherance of that commitment and my way to simply express my profound appreciation to a man who lived in such a way that he cannot be forgotten in a hurry.
May Mummy, Mrs Adeniyi, the children and extended family find solace and comfort that they did life with a man they owned, either as a husband, father, or as friend, whose life they shared as friends and compatriots by the name Distinguished Senator Tony Adeniyi.
Adieu Uncle Tony.. the Babalawo of the Nigeria’s Senate, 7th Assembly.
Yours,
#Congressman #Bimbo #Daramola
#defuntACNmembersEkitiState