The death of Pa Johnson Olaoye, chairman of the Professional Marketers Association midnight was announced this morning. The idea of a broad coalition of artisan groups, originating a syndicalist component of the embryonic platform for popular democracy that I was constructing to seek power at the grassroots in 2004. The assignment to invite each of the artisan association, was undertaken by Chief Stephen Onadeko,aka Double Chief and Abanise, aka Eiye Oge, now late. One after the other, I persuaded the leaders of the bricklayers, carpenters, hairdressers etc of the need to form an,umbrellas association to put people who,can,protect their interest in government. Of all the leaders, Pa Johnson Olaoye, then leading the tailors, was the,most enthusiastic. I followed up with visits to the meetings of the associations and gradually the idea became reality. My residence, No 9, Tajudeen Ogunseye was the temporary secretariat. When I moved to my home at 21 Ona Iwa Mimo, the secretariat shifted there. The impact of the PMA was first reflected in the manifesto of the campaign for chairmanship. Our commitment to provide free uniforms was based both on the recommendation of the teachers in the primary schools and the need to provide work for the tailors who massively supported the campaign. Equally, the promise to provide chairs and desks and end the era when parents had to bring furnitures for their wards in,schools was also based on the needs articulated by the teachers and the need to give carpenters the dividends of their support for the mandate. Both pledges were successfully implemented to the eternal satisfaction of the leaders of the artisan groups. Elected in October 2008, it took us just three months to implement the free uniforms programme on December 18,2008. The programme,was officially,commissioned by Now Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Similarly, it took six months to provide 1,800 pairs of chairs and desks in March 2009. The programme was officially commussioned by Her Excellency, Princess Sosan. In power, we gave recognition,to PMA as a civil Ngo and partner organization and contributed to its monthly meetings. We also initiated grants to artisan associations that were facing challenges such as fish traders, traders of children wears, charcoal sellers etc. Pa Johnson led the PMA with exemplary honesty and dedication to the popular cause. He protected his base among the tailors and commanded,respect among other leaders in the artisan movement. It was a measure of his stature that I recommended him to be on,the local organizing committee for the campaign to make Akinwunmi Ambode the Governor of Lagos State. Ever grateful for the least favour, Pa Johnson was really excited when,I attended his mother -in-laws burial in his native town last year. Agile.,he reported weakness of,body on Tuesday, was taken,to a hospital on,Wednesday and died midnight. Goodnight, my leader. GOODNIGHT. MY COLLABORATOR. GOOD NIGHT, A FAITHFUL AND DEDICATED DEFENDER OF THE POPULAR CAUSE. MAY YOUR VIBRANT,SOUL REST IN,PERFECT PEACE.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 12:25:23 +0000
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