Tributes are pouring in for Pa Olaniwun Ajayi, a chieftain of pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere and member of political family of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of Nigeria’s Western region who died on Thursday evening.

The 91 year old lawyer, died after complaining of some pains and was taken to Lagos by his eldest son, Dr Konyin Ajayi, according to family sources.

Pa Ajayi was born in Isara Remo on April 8, 1925 to Mr. Benjamin Ajayi, a farmer and Mariam Efundolamu, who traded in farm produce.

He had his early education at Islamic Primary School, Epe.

After spending only three months there, he later enrolled into a primary school in Ode Remo, Ogun State, in 1937 where completed his primary education.

Ajayi was engaged by the school as a teacher in the same school because of his brilliance, but later went to read law.

His law chamber is one of the most successful in Nigeria.

While mourning the loss of the political titan, Lagos Governor,  Akinwunmi Ambode  in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the late Ajayi was a frontline politician who was passionate about the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

“Papa was one of the few surviving close associates of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. After Chief Awolowo’s death, he was a consistent advocate for the struggle to see Nigeria achieve the dreams of her founding fathers.

“He was very passionate about the progress of Nigeria, he was an intellectual genius who had an enthusiasm for the development of his immediate community and the country at large.

“I recall my last meeting with him just about three months ago at the residence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“It was like a premonition. He had admonished all of us to give him a long lasting legacy and ensure that the Yoruba hegemony is not trampled upon and tarnished.

“This wish of his, as a great Nigerian statesman, and true son of Yoruba land, we are committed to uphold and to cherish,” the Governor said.

The Governor also noted that Pa Olaniwun Ajayi’s law firm which was established in 1962 grew from being a sole practitionership to become one of the largest and open partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa and in its five decades of existence, held briefs for various corporate organisations and the government at both the federal and state levels.

“There was virtually no sector in Nigeria that Pa Ajayi’s law firm was not prominent. His law firm in no time became one of the most sought after full-service legal practices in Africa,” the Governor said.

Ambode prayed that Almighty God would grant the soul of the departed peaceful repose and for the family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, on behalf of the people of Lagos State. Pa Ajayi will be sorely missed”, Governor Ambode said.