Slain former Action Congress Presidential Candidate in Ogun State of Nigeria, Otunba  Dipo Dina’s  planned  big birthday party in July this year had reached an advanced stage with close associates from Europe and America playing leading roles, according to  EMNnews.com  sources. He was to celebrate 50 years anniversary in grand style.

News of the party was already filtering round the world while plans were already on the advance stage with many admirers all over the world having been contacted and topping the list of invited guests.

A source claimed;’ DD was to use the birthday bash as a rallying point for party faithfuls all over the world and using the occasion of the birthday to consolidate his political clout and future plans.”

The gruesome murder on January 25, this year of  the erstwhile  Action Congress action man  in Ogun State who was the party’s gubernatorial candiadate in the last election in  2007 however  put paid to the plans while the murder has drawn wider condemnation from across the world.

Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has directed Police and other detective agents to unravel those behind the gruesome murder and bring them to book.

The Vice President also has instructed the Police Inspector General Ogbona Onovo to furnish him with progress about the investigation as it progressed.

The Inspector General Onovo, two days after the ex- governorship aspirant was assassinated dispatched a team of  detectives, led by Deputy Inspector General of Police, (D Dept), Mr. Israel Ajao, to interrogate Tunde Oyediran, driver of the  late Chief Dipo Dina.

The team was also detailed to interrogate Funmi Olagoke, the  female occupant in the car with which  Chief Dina was travelling when he was killed.

Vice-President  Jonathan had insisted murderers must be brought to book by men of the Nigeria Police.

The DIG, who was accompanied by some of his aides, arrived at the Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, around 1.00 p.m three days after the murder to kick-start investigations.

A police source told the Nigerian Tribune that the testimonies of the suspects were not different from what the suspects had earlier told the state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Musa Daura.

However, a source had hinted that the wife of the deceased had contacted friends around the world on the big plans for Otunba Dipo’s birthday party which could have been used to rally round associates and supporters across the world.

In some instances costumes for the birthday are being volunteered from fans across Europe and America many of which had been despatched to arrive for sampling, They include clothing attires and gift materials. Events of the death now have overtaken the impending celebration.

Last Friday, London kicked off a week-long of memorial activities with Dipo Dina Committee of friends, (London Branch)  holding a memorial service in honour of the slain Action Congress(AC) Gubernatorial candidate at  St John’s Church Hall, 10, Meeting House Lane, London, SE15 2UN.

The ceremony was well attended with top religious Ministers of various divide, friends and well wishers in attendance to pay their last respect in a well organised and more emotion laced manner.

In his short message, the officiating Minister, Pastor David Okorodudu used the occasion to call on Nigerians in the Diaspora not to be discouraged, deterred or dispirited in pursuit of truth claiming Otunba Dina’s killers have failed. He advised that Diaspora should not abandon the country in view of various unhealthy occurrences.

He said: “Let’s reclaim the glory of Nigeria and shame all the nation’s enemies ,”

Making reference from the book of Ecclesiastes 8, verse 11 and John 14,in the Bible,  Okorodudu said, “DD’s enemies have failed,” because he has gone to rest in the bosom of the Lord.

He enjoined all lovers, close associates and friends of the deceased not to allow the shedding of “his blood to be in vain.” calling on them to give necessary assistance to the family of the slain.

Other Pastors at the service  are Pastors (DR) Kola Salami; Pastor Tayo Ogunmefun; Pastor Wale Adefuye and many in the Ministry carrying both light and heavy weights. There were attendees from other religious denominations.

The congregation of well over 50 backed the calls for both the Inspector General of Police and the Federal Government to urgently fish out the killers.

Friends, associates and the pastors who eulogised him condemned the “winner takes all,” type of politics played in Nigeria and described the killing as “one too many.” While the Pastors simply prayed that Dina’s soul rest in peace in the bossom of the Lord, majority of those who paid tributes invoked curses on his killers, praying “Dipo’s soul will not rest in peace until his spirit has fished out the killers and they’ve been brought to justice.”

According to the wife of his bossom friend, Mrs Obadara, “DD” as he’s fondly called, was a “jovial, caring and hardworking, family man who gave his best to his kids.” “He will surely be missed,” she added. Aare Kola Aregbe, who, like others still trying to come to terms with the death, revealed that Dina was murdered on the birthday (January 25th) of one of his kids.

“The child would have been expecting daddy at home, so how you suddenly say daddy is no more?” .He described him as “an epitome of commitment. He never forgets my birthdays. He was someone who will take people’s problems and solve them and if he couldn’t, he would look around for those who could solve the problems.” Aregbe said DD urged the congregation to immortalize him by carrying on the ideals that Dina stood for.

In an emotion-laden voice, the Chairman of the UK chapter of AC, Chief Ayo Owoade said he too was still trying to come to the terms with the murder. “He’s gone, but who’s next? Will it be the last involvement of genuine people in politics? No!” Choking back tears, Owoade also urged the diaspora and other well-meaning Nigerians to rise up and be counted, and not succumb to political killings and intimidation.

Architect  Felix Ayoade Adejumo also broke down as he played the piano, but earlier in his tribute, he vowed, “we won’t leave Nigeria in the hands of killers.”

The  week long farewell service continues in Nigeria during the week and reaching its peak on February  10 to February 12, 2010.

Otunba Dina would be laid to rest on Friday February 12 in Ijebu Ode, his home town in Ogun state of Nigeria.

*Otunba Adedipupo Akanni -Ade Dina ( July 15, 1960- January 25, 2010)

Addition: Guardian.

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