Newton Anthony
IT was encomium galore as the widow of the fiery Nigeria human rights activist, Mrs Kehinde Ola-Oni, together with her twin sister, Taiwo Adesida, marked their 80th birthday in Ibadan.
The event, which took place at late Ola-Oni’s Bodija residence, had dignitaries including the immediate past Minister of Interior and former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Comrade Femi Aborisade, Comrade Moshood Erubami and Comrade Awabamiji, among others in attendance
Speakers at the event described the late Ola Oni as a radical pan-Africanist, and a fearless defender of the masses, a revolutionary leader for socialist liberation and justice who lived a selfless, sacrificing life while alive.
Speaking on behalf of Aregbesola, Engr. Abimbola Daniel, described Mrs Kehinde Oni as a woman with total commitment to truth, equity and justice, pointing out that Mrs Oni and her twin sister’s depth of dignity, simplicity and humility is highly commendable.
In his remark, Comrade Abiodun Bamgboye, who spoke on behalf of Comrade Aborisade, said the celebrant’s husband paid attention to the revolutionary movement while alive, noting that Comrade Ola Oni would have made a lot of good changes in Nigeria were he still alive.
Pastor John Ajayi, in his sermon, described the celebrants as good mothers and backbones of their husbands adding that they have learned how to count their days and applied wisdom.
Meanwhile, the octogenarian said she felt happy for the attainment of the rape age, pointing out that what her husband stood for as a true democrat while alive still stands.
She however drummed up support for more women’s participation in politics and positions of power so that they can fight for themselves whenever the necessity arose. 
Recall that the late Ola Oni was born in Ekiti in 1933 and died in 1999. He was a Marxist political economist, socialist and human rights activist.
Eighteen-Eleven Media