Arogbofa is a pillar of literary excellence, says Gov. Aiyedatiwa

…as Ondo ANA honours him with anthology
By Goke Williams
THE Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has lauded the immediate past Secretary General of Afenifere – the pan-Yoruba socio-political group – Basorun Seinde Arogbofa (OFR), for his exceptional writing, describing him as a pillar of literary excellence, whose works and contributions have left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s literary landscape.
The governor gave the eulogy recently in Akure, the state capital, at the unveiling of Tales and Voices – an anthology published by members of the Ondo State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in honour of the elder statesman.
While opening a floodgate of tributes, Governor Aiyedatiwa described Arogbofa as a revered public figure who had made significant contributions to the advancement of education in Nigeria through his exemplary leadership and prolific literary works.
Aiyedatiwa, who spoke through his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, further described Arogbofa as an inspiration to countless Nigerians, underscoring that the publication serves as a testament to the honouree’s life and enduring legacy. He celebrated the Afenifere stalwart for his positive and impactful influence on the younger generation, and prayed God to grant him good health and long life to enable the state to continue to draw from his profound reservoir of wisdom.
While advocating for peace in the state, the governor urged citizens to champion unity and progress as exemplified by Arogbofa’s life. While donning the dual hats of special guest of honour and book presenter at the event, the governor recommended the anthology to all, urging the public to buy and read it.

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami (left) and Pa Seinde Arogbofa at the event
The governor commended ANA for its concerted efforts in nurturing the intellectual landscape of society, adding, “By putting Baba’s life and thoughts on paper, you have helped in building knowledge and mentoring the younger generation. I commend your industry, determination, intellectual acumen, and sacrifices in putting this book together.”
Earlier, the book reviewer, Prof. Busuyi Mekusi, opined that “Basorun Arogbofa’s legacy lies not in the volume of his literary works, but in the myriad lives he has touched.” Delving into the 229-page book, the erudite scholar acknowledged the noteworthy contributions of the writers, saying: “The book encapsulates profound facets of Basorun Arogbofa, portraying the intellectually curious writer as supportive, honorable, meek, selfless, rugged, sacrificial, tolerant, inspirational, great, gallant, and an outstanding wordsmith who inspires rather than stifles individuals.” He praised the book not only for its power to appeal to emotions and ignite inspiration, but also for its capacity to drive individuals to act greatly and proffer solutions to teeming national challenges.
Chairman of the event planning committee, Prof. Bayo Aborisade appraised Arogbofa for his literary achievements while wlecoming guests to the event.
As a way of encouraging the book sector, the State Chairman of ANA, Mr. Sunday Afolayan, advocated for partnership and support in extending ANA’s literary campaign to the grassroots. He urged parents to continue to encourage and support their children to imbibe writing and reading culture, viewing it as a pathway to greatness. He commended Arogbofa for his invaluable support throughout the book’s publication and unveiling process.
In response, Arogbofa expressed sincere appreciation for the honour, extending heartfelt appreciation to the association and the state government for their unwavering support. The elderly statesman called on the government to ensure that literary works by local authors were patronised and read by students in the state while encouraging authors to persevere and remain optimistic that the nation would soon overcome its many challenges.
The event’s highlights included a poetry reading in honour of the honouree by the event’s publicity secretary, Goke Williams and a theatrical performance by the National Youths Service Corp members in the state.
Among the dignitaries at the occasion were the Chairman of Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire, SAN, who was represented by a senior legislative aide, Akinloye Bolarinde, Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the Father of the Day, represented by the elder statesman, Chief Femi Aluko, the representative of Ondo State commissioner for education, Prince Obajulaye Oluwadayiro, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, a representative of the Olubaka of Oka Kingdom, and the Special Venerable Senior Evangelist Abiodun Ogeleye.
*Williams is a writer and businessman