Fasehun’s birthday Lecture/Book Launch postponed

Dr. Frederick Fasehun’s 80th Birthday Organising Committee has announced the postponement of the Lecture/Book Launch erstwhile billed for Wednesday.

The Committee said the postponement became inevitable due to the Eid-el-Maulud Moslem holiday coming up on Wednesday and Thursday.

The birthday event has Ondo Governor, Dr. Segun Mimiko, as Chief Host and Lagos Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, as Host Governor, while Royal Fathers of the Day will be the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and the Osemawe of Ondo, Alaiyeluwa Oba Victor Adesimbo Ademefun Kiladejo, Jilo III.

According to a statement by the Committee Chairman, Honourable Adeoye Jolaosho, the postponement would enable the event get maximum attendance as Fasehun was an icon of socio-political activism whose appeal cut across ethnic and religious divides.

“Moslems from across the country, involved in the programme, pleaded that we postpone the Book Launch and Lecture to enable them honour Dr. Fasehun,” it said.

The committee said an alternative date for the event would be announced soon, after discussions with the family and Fasehun’s associates.

Born September 21, 1935, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, a medical practitioner, founded the Yoruba socio-economic organisation, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), in 1994 in the wake of the nullification of the June 12, 1993 election.

He would later join other pro-democracy leaders in the National Demcratic Coalition (NADECO), and in 2013 led the resuscitation of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) as National Chairman.

A schedule released by the committee indicated that the programme of events ran from Monday to Saturday.

Monday –Church Service/Thanksgiving at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Ajele Street, Faji, Lagos Island;

Tuesday and Wednesday –Medical Examination and Counselling for inmates of Ikoyi and Kirikiri Prisons;

Thursday –Visit to Motherless Babies’ Homes;

Friday –OPC Jam at Century Hotel, Okota;

Saturday –Grand Celebration at Yard 158 Events Centre, Oregun, Lagos.