Ogundoyin was a dogged fighter*— Oyo Deputy Gov ..says no condition should define a human being

The Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal has described late Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin, father of Oyo Speaker, Debo Ogundoyin, as a dogged fighter who excelled in all fields of life including business and politics during his lifetime.

He stated this on Wednesday while speaking at World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2024 in honor of late Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, UCH, Ibadan.

According to Barr. Lawal, no challenges was too much for late Ogundoyin to really tackle and did not allow the Sickle cell to define him as human being.

The Deputy Governor, who was the chairman of the occasion, said the late Ogundoyin was well known to him as a notable businessman who did not limit his friendships to people in the Southwest but also in the South South, South East, North and the business world.

He equally described Ogundoyin as a notable politician who had once sponsored a presidential candidate before and as a social engineer who established many companies.

In his words: “Late Ogundoyin was such a personality to be admired in this environment. As a businessman, he betrothed the space like a conusor. He was the first person I knew through business when he bought like 12 Mercedes Peugeot that lined up to his office in Dugbe, area of Ibadan. No one had ever done that to be noticed.

“He was a great politician who sponsored presidential candidate to my knowledge. He gave so much money to the cause but unfortunately, the person couldn’t become the president of the country due to the business of religion and South and North issue.”

The Deputy Governor, who argued that Sickle Cell is actually a condition rather than a disease, emphasized that the late Ogundoyin had an impactful life and that Sickle Cell is an inborn.

Stressing that people with conditions are always intelligent and brilliant, Barr Lawal urged other warriors not to let the Sickle Cell deter them from striving or become whatever they want to be in life.

He pointed out that the issue of Sickle Cell has long since been wreaking havoc on society and urged stakeholders to continue pushing the awareness programme so that people will be better educated.

“On this note, I congratulate the ogundoyin family for keeping this awareness alive. And as have just told the Honorable Speaker, I can assure that my widowns mind will also pass throug him to the organizers of this program,” he said.

In his succinct remarks, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, who stated that everyone had gathered because of the warriors, however noted that what they go through is immense pain through the cause of their lives. The best way to support the warriors, he added, is to keep the memory alive.

Stating that it has been 33 years they lost their father (late Ogundoyin) who was a beacon of hope, the Speaker noted that commemorating his death had been in practice for 33years to keep making awareness.

According to him, this program is basically to encourage the warriors to have an impactful life regardless what the disease has caused them, as well as providing drugs and support, and to continue to keep the legacy of late Ogundoyin alive and fresh.

He said: “The Sickle Cell patients will be given financial support. As lawmakers, we need to come up with policy that will reduce the burden of Sickle Cell patients and also have free medical services. We will work with other alms of government to protect the sickle cell patients to live an impactful live.

“Let’s continue to raise our voice to support the Sickle Cell patients.”

Vice chancellor of Crescent University, Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola, had earlier in her keynote speech commended the Ogundoyin family for organising the event in memory of their late father, saying that those who have Sickld Cell are warriors and champions for being alive today.

She emphasised that the occasion is a celebration of outstanding accomplishments made and described late Ogundoyin as a big figure who has left a good legacy.

According to her, even though June 19 has been set aside to commemorate Sickle Cell day by United nation, it’s also a day of world Sickle Cell awareness day to increase public awareness about sickle cell for effective treatment that lead to cure.

Professor Babalola added that despite having sickle cell disease, late Ogundoyin succeeded in politics, business, and other fields and also became a billionaire.

She urged those who were affected by the disease to keep going for their goals in life and to make sure they succeeded in whatever they set out to do, and must not allow it to discourage or depress them.

“Chief Ogundoyin was a survivor and achiever. And I need to commend the Oyo Speaker for supporting Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF). Each of us has a role to play. Together, we can ensure that every sickle cell patients can live a beautiful life,” Babalola said.

Highlights of the event was presentation of N5m cheque to the Sickle Cell Hope Foundation (Scharf) to empower warriors who attended the program by the Oyo Speaker of the House, Debo Ogundoyin and unveiling of a book by Oyo Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal to be written in honor of late Ogundoyin by Oyo Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade.

The. Event was attended by members of House of Assembly including the majority leader of the House, Sanjo Adedoyin; Commissioners for Health, Adewunwi Oluwatomobi; Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade; Commissioner for Education, Professor Soliu Adelabu; Former member of House of Representative, Hon. Yemi Taiwo and top Oyo government functionaries.

Others were royal fathers from Ibarapa zone; Former Super Eagles Player, Mutiu Adepoju and host of others.