At 92 years old, Pa Olusola Ajelore had spoken with the authority of experience and the clarity of a man who has witnessed the evolution of Nigeria from its independence days to the present. His words, steady and reflective, paint a vivid picture of a nation once driven by patriotism, incorruptible and purposeful leadership—a stark contrast to the realities of modern governance.
Speaking in a church, Pa Ajelore’s eyes gleam with memories of a Nigeria that nurtured its citizens with genuine care pointing out that the leaders back then used the money available to them to develop the nation and train the younger ones in school.
A native of Kogi State, in the Northern part of Nigeria, Pa Ajelore reminisces about his days at the university.
He recalled the legacy of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, whose vision for education transformed the lives of countless young Nigerians. “At the university, Sardauna made sure that anyone who got admission into tertiary institutions was given a scholarship,” Pa Ajelore explained.
His hands gestured animatedly as he described the benefits of that scholarship adding, “It covered everything—tuition, lodging, and even feeding. We ate three full meals a day without paying a kobo. We even had what we called ‘Bulgaria’—an allowance for personal upkeep.”
According to him, the generosity of the era did not end there as the students were given book allowances and, for those who studied abroad, they received a ‘one clothing allowance’—a thoughtful gesture that ensured no Nigerian student lacked the dignity of proper attire overseas.
He stated, “I got married while I was in the university, just from my allowance.”
Comparing the simplicity of that era to the complexities of today’s politics, Pa Ajelore’s expression turned somber. “Look at what Sardauna achieved with the little money available then. Now, some governors earn more than one billion naira per month just for security votes. Tell me, where does that money go? What impact does it have?”
His story takes a personal turn as he recounts a journey with his firstborn son. “We rode on a scooter. We left Ibadan at 12:30 a.m. and got to Ilorin by 4:30 a.m. There was nothing to be afraid of because each region took care of its own children.”
For Pa Ajelore, the foundation of Nigeria’s prosperity lay in its regional autonomy—an era where each region thrived under its own governance, yet contributed to the collective strength of the nation.
“That constitution was our title deed,” he declared. “The day it came down, each region lost its strength. The day it comes back, and we have a constitution drawn by us, that is when we will be truly free.”
He likened it to a business partnership. “It’s like a company—me, you, and others decide to form a company. We draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). In our case, it’s called a preamble. It says, ‘We, the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, agree.’ But I ask you, where did we see to agree?”
His question hung in the air, heavy with the weight of history and hope. For Pa Olusola Ajelore, the path to Nigeria’s redemption is clear—it begins with unity, honesty, and the patriotism that once defined its leadership.
