By Ayo Oyoze Baje
Quote:
“I want to use this opportunity to thank God, my worthy parents, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who acted as a father-figure, as well as former governors of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; Akinwunmi Ambode and current Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state – all who I have worked with, for shaping my views on pro-people governance”
“Let me confess right from the start that my life has been a dramatic one with the finger of God spreading all over it.
For instance, my parents:
Daniel Adejuwon Ajanaku and Mrs. Sarah Mojisola Ajanaku –
gave birth to all their children at Idogun, located in the current Ose Local Government Area of Ondo state, after my father, who was the first child, returned from Lagos state in 1959 where he had spent the early years of his life. But guess what?
“Idogun, being a border town with Edo state was the only part of the then Western Region that was hit by the Nigeria -Biafra civil war. And I was born in June 1966 and survived the war by the whiskers.” That was an ample demonstration of God’s power of protection from all manner of harm. With God’s divine design for Ajanaku s glorious future early death was far from him. As at this day he is 60 and counting.
Luckily, his parents were there as noble examples of what the right way up was all about. Name it- the fear of God, high moral discipline, respect for elders and of course, instilling in him and his siblings the never failing values of hard work, honesty of purpose, humility and character; to become a good Ambassador of the Ajanaku family.
In retrospect, he recalled with immense pride that his grand father, Samuel Ajanaku, established both St. James Primary School and St. James Anglican church both located in Idogun and St.Paul’s Anglican church in other parts of the nearby communities.
Sequel to this, he was a respected and influential preacher who spread the gospel of salvation across the Akoko Edo part of the then Western Region. But there was more to be grateful to God to have hailed from the pace-setting family.
His father was not only the first person in the town to own a car, erect a storey building but also to be a school teacher, a profession he practised in many parts of Owo Division of the Western Region.
It would also be recalled that prior to his delving into teaching, Ajanaku was a politician. He contested for councillorship to represent Irekan Ward which he won under the Action Group, AG. That meant he represented Idogun, Idoani, Afo, Ifon all under the current Ose LGA of the state.
He became the Chairman, House Committee on Finance in Owo Division. And he made history by leaving a huge amount of five thousand, six hundred pounds, £5,600 which was the highest savings amongst all his peers then in the Western Region. That was one noble legacy that his entire family was proud of and ready to emulate. So good to note that Idowu has kept that flag flying brilliantly, more so in the course of his exemplary journey in the field of journalism.
Worthy of note is that Idowu was still in his early years when he had access to popular newspapers such as the Daily Times, Daily Sketch and the Nigerian Tribune. That also underscores his flair for journalism which showed as early as when he was a Form Three student. That was back in 1981-1982 session.
To give teeth to the bite, he became the first indigene of Idogun to have his article published by Daily Sketch. The focus was to draw attention to the infrastructural decay there in the community.
Interestingly, it drew instant attention from the government, leading to the construction of the road from Idogun to Idoani, the other from Idogun to Imeri and of course, the community’s bridge. Certainly, the morning shows the day!
As a multi-talented youth, he showed his passion for sports by becoming the goal keeper for the school’s football team even as a Form Two student and did so for four good years. That was in addition to being engaged in the 100-metre dash in the field of athletics.
Subsequently, he rose from being a time keeper to becoming the Social Prefect bonding the students to see themselves as one family.
These traits were parlayed from his days at Lagos State College of Education, through that of Lagos State University, LASU to the University of Lagos. But his fervour for journalism came full blown after his NYSÇ programme.
From working as the editor of the Mushin- based community Moonshine newspaper, he spent one year as a political correspondent at the Vanguard before he veered off to the Guardian in 1992. One remarkable national issue that he was neck deep into was the presidential election involving the famed billionaire politician, Moshood Abiola back in 1993, the results of which was controversially annulled to the outrage of not only Nigerians but the world at large.
Thereafter, he was busy at work, featuring among the Anthony Enahoro-led political coalition calling for the de-annulment of the election results. Said he: “I did so because of my background and my belief in progressive ideals.
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