Tomorrow, Sunday 26th April, Akanni Aqib Iromini will celebrate his 70th birthday. Beyond the usual birthday greetings, this milestone offers a fitting opportunity to reflect on a life that has been both remarkably fulfilling and profoundly purposeful.
Iromini is deserving of celebration, particularly as he embodies a fading spirit of sacrifice – and, for many, even self-denial. Born in Iwo, Osun State, this pro-democracy activist was a powerful force in the struggle to overthrow military rule. Like so many others, he made significant sacrifices without expecting personal gain. The fact that his contribution remains unrecognised is a disservice to those who strive to build a more just society.
Let there be no mistake: those involved in the battles of that era weren’t motivated by reward, recognition, or personal advancement. They acted on principle, driven by a desire for a better society. Those who sacrificed so that society could progress and achieve lasting gains based on fairness should be acknowledged before it’s too late, and compensated for the disruption to their careers and lives. Failure to do so will allow opportunists to masquerade as activists – as they already are, engaging in deceitful practices under the guise of activism.
No society can progress on such opportunistic foundations. It would be a grave oversight not to highlight the efforts of exceptional individuals like Iromini, so they can serve as role models and inspire future generations of activists and those who seek a more decent way of life. We can look to the honourable example of the Vietnamese leader, Vo Nguyen Giap.
Giap is best remembered as the hero of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. That year, ‘The Red Napoleon’, as he was affectionately known, led a determined army of poorly equipped peasants against a French force armed with the most advanced weaponry and supported by significant air power. Against all odds, this ragtag group defeated the mighty French army, leading to their withdrawal from Indochina. Dien Bien Phu fundamentally altered the understanding of modern warfare, and the battle remains a crucial case study in military academies worldwide – and should be so in Nigeria, particularly at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Here’s the striking point: Giap – one of the most brilliant military strategists of all time, comparable to Alexander the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte – wasn’t a professionally trained soldier. He was an activist, a teacher and lawyer, much like our own Alao Aka-Basorun, Gani Fawehinmi, Bamidele Aturu and Femi Falana – a man who, frustrated with fighting French colonialism in the courts, turned to guerrilla warfare.
A man of immense integrity, he consistently prioritised the liberation of Vietnam over personal accolades or the trappings of power. His life demonstrated a crucial principle: one doesn’t participate in a struggle simply to reap personal rewards. This principle should be prominently displayed in all organisations dedicated to activism – trade unions, student unions, and human rights groups – as a constant reminder of a path built on honour and dedication.
Giap died some years ago at the age of 101 in a military hospital in Hanoi. Despite his monumental victories, he maintained a modest profile, shunning the vanity of high office – a testament to his character. Whether his legacy was later embellished by the state with posthumous honours or reluctantly accepted by his family, the core truth remains: he lived for the cause, not for personal rank. This is activism at its most dedicated.
Individuals of valour and integrity like Iromini deserve similar recognition. The state must break its silence, acknowledge their contributions, and honour them now, as they enter their later years. This isn’t just about an individual; it’s about inspiring a new generation of activists committed to building a more civilised and compassionate society.
As the Yoruba proverb states: “Orí yeye ní mògún, t’àì ṣẹ̀ l’ọ́pọ̀.” (Many are the heads at the shrine, but the innocent among them are many). Many remain unjustly imprisoned due to their involvement in the struggle against military dictatorship. Those who now benefit from their sacrifices should remember them, demonstrating that their efforts were not in vain. There are more of them than we realise, struggling across the six geopolitical zones.
Any support programme for these activists must include basic necessities and opportunities for their children, who were indirectly affected, alongside meaningful compensation for their lost decades. This is a historical imperative, and the current government is uniquely positioned to justify and implement it. Previous administrations, beginning with the Olusegun Obasanjo regime in 1999, lacked a genuine connection to the cause of restoring democracy and could not have been expected to demonstrate such commitment.
The current government is quite different. Its leadership embodies the very commitment to the struggle. It therefore has the moral authority to implement policies for rehabilitation and restitution. Restitution is a balancing act – and a vital one – because many currently enjoying the benefits of our restored constitutional government played no part in the battles that led to the New Republic. An example must be set before the history of that period fades.
Robert Kiyosaki argues that success – even wealth – is linked to pursuing one’s passions. For Iromini, however, passion didn’t lead to financial gain; it led him to a crucible of sacrifice. He paid a heavy price, enduring losses and private grief too profound for a Saturday column. The struggle demanded much of him, claiming vital pieces of his life and legacy.
Yes, Iromini may not have a substantial bank account or a prestigious title to show for his 70 years, but he possesses the history of every person who now enjoys freedom because of him. He represents an institutional memory of the vital role civil society plays in driving change and building a better society. His life is a story of the constant tension between power and the ordinary people who refuse to be silenced. He bears the invisible scars of those lost years, yet he remains standing – sustained by a spiritual strength when his own had failed. He gave up everything for the cause, yet in the ways that truly matter, he is the wealthiest man among us.
Crucially, having transitioned from the frontlines of protest to becoming the conscience of the movement, Iromini is now a wise elder who safeguards the values he once fought to establish. A figure of such unimpeachable integrity must remain relevant. We cannot allow a commitment proven at a pivotal moment in the nation’s history to be wasted. In today’s world, 70 is not old!
May Comrade Akanni Iromini’s advancing years be filled with peace and vitality!
May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!
Email: ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk. Mobile: 08033614419 SMS only.
