MY BELOVED FRIEND AND BROTHER: DEJI OMOLE (1963-2003)
By, Seye Adetunmbi
The family of Chief Solomon Aderemi Omole and Mrs Comfort Folake Omole of Aiyedun-Ekiti was blessed by God with a rare gift of Adedeji Alfred Omole on December 2, 1963. His arrival undoubtedly must have brought so much joy to the family being the 1st male child and for coming after his elder sister Mrs Bisi Adenigba. His privileged background among his peers was in the league of the best in the contemporary environment because he had a qualified medical nurse as a mother and a high ranking teacher and later turned civil servant of note as a father. His healthy upbringing coupled with natural body chemistry was evident in his likable endowed stature right from his teenage days which eventually earned him the pet name of Deji Agric from my mother who loved him so much and they were very fond of one another.
After his primary education in 1968 to 1974 at St. Andrew’s School, he passed through the model and famous African Church Comprehensive High School, Ikere-Ekiti between 1974 and 1979. Industry and self sufficiency principle in which the school was rooted must have consciously or unconsciously rubbed on Deji’s attitude to work and life as reflected subsequently in his lifetime. He went for Higher School Certificate Course In 1980 to 1982 at Ondo State School of Arts & Science, Ikare Akoko. Between 1983 and 1984 he had a short stint with the Abuja Liaison Office of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as Assistant Executive Officer. Thereafter, he graduated with B.Sc. Economics from University of Ilorin in 1988 and did his NYSC with Total PLC. By the time he finished his National Youth Service programme with the LPG section of Total PLC in 1989 he had assumed the responsibility of looking after the welfare of his brothers, sisters, cousins, other relations and friends who moved close to him.
An enterprising Deji was determined to be self sufficient and when a full time appointment was not forthcoming in time, he took up the job of a gas distributor with Total PLC between 1989 and 1990 during which he got the nickname of Deji-gas. He was always looking out for other legitimate businesses he could do with Total and earn some margin to further make the ends meet. His diligence and dedication to duty must have registered in the minds of the senior officials of Total and other people he associated with in the organization which earned him a lasting relationship. It was a good relief when his offer of employment finally came expectedly and he formally started his career with Total on 01/04/91.
A natural hard worker who put his best through out the 13 years he worked for the multinational company. He assumed duty accordingly and got his first posting as the Zonal Sales Representative, coordinating sale activities of Total at Ibadan in 1991 to 1993. Between 1993 and 1995 his responsibilities was extended to cover Osun State as the Area Sales Representative. In 1995 to 1997, he served as the Area Sales Representative of Ijebu/Sagamu.
Adedeji Alfred Omole (1963-2003); Omo owa, omo ekun, igi rabata l’okun
His field experience was brought to bear as the Training Manager, Lagos Branch in 1997 to 1998 during which he organized Training Seminars and workshops for budding Sales Persons, Sales Representatives, Dealers and Station Managers. By June 1998 his coast was enlarged to the position of Network Control Manager at the Head Office. A highly result oriented person who benefited from several specialized trainings of Total in Europe and within Nigeria. A good mixer, salesmanship was his forte and was loved by his colleagues.
Until his transition at about 8.30am on Friday August 29, 2003 he was the District Sales Manager Mid-Western Region, Benin and was charged with the responsibilities of consumer and network sales. His conscientiousness won him the best Sales Representative award/prizes 3 times: 1994 (Western Region), 1996 and 1997 Lagos Branch respectively.
His high sense of responsibility made him to be chosen in 1997 as the representative of Total with PPMC to conduct audit of the outlets of marketers in the Western Region. He also headed 3-member Taskforce on Station Pumps nationwide audit, inaugurated by the Managing Director of Total in year 2000. Unequivocally, Deji indeed gave a good testimony of himself in his lifetime calling with Total PLC and the organization stood by him appropriately when it mattered most to him. Describing his death as a big blow, tragedy and a waste would amount to a gross understatement!
It was tough accepting the responsibility when Akin Areola asked me to do the biography of Deji for the burial programme because ordinarily at the ideal time it should have been the other way round! As we know 'iku o l'eto' (death has no respect for order). It pleased God to let it happen this way! Moreover, I would ordinarily do anything humanly possible at my disposal for Deji either before or behind him provided it would make my very dear friend happy. This is why I had to end up paying tribute to my most beloved friend and brother. Humane and amiable Deji was like a childhood friend despite the fact that our path crossed each other in our teenage days. I had earlier known Bisi his elder sister because she had her secondary education at Ifaki-Ekiti, my home town and Akin Areola his intimate cousin during Christ’s School days. We had very little recreational activities in Ekiti where we grew up to arrest our restlessness as teenagers. Thus, it was a common thing during holidays for us to jump into every car at our disposal and dashed to the nearest place of abode of friends in the neighborhood. I remember the very first encounter when Deji in company with a friend of his, stopped-over in our house at Ifaki. He drove the white Datsun 180k of the Areolas with the plate number OD 4 L and that was how the relationship started.
It was indeed very exciting when we later met again at University of Ilorin in 1982 during registration. Our reunion suffered a temporary set back when he had to defer his admission and later came back to join us in 1984. Deji always claimed that I encouraged him to settle down during his degree till he graduated but to me I did nothing, rather, he had always been his brother’s keeper. We both loved and enjoyed good food among several things we had in common.
I preferred to refer to him as my twin brother, he later overtook me in size and height! Indeed I gained a true brother and confidant when I met him. I have since lost count of too numerous gifts he handed over to me all these years. It later occurred to me that on the day he passed on, I was putting on the wrist watch he gave me. Also when I checked through my wardrobe for a white shirt to wear for his funeral, it turned out that the only suitable shirt I needed was bought for me by Deji during one of his trips abroad. Though younger yet he was my big brother by disposition!
He never tolerated anybody or situation that would rubbish his friends. He stood by everyone around him at their very low periods. Whatever he had to do for people was done with all humility. Deji executed the 2nd guarantor’s form for me when I got a job in a bank. I could not match his good deeds to me, yet he never ceased to love me. All the gifts he gave me may wear off, but that mutual love we had for each other I cherished and will remain indelible in my mind till we meet to part no more. Great guy and a jolly good fellow. The epitome of a true friend. Very loyal and devoted. I certainly missed his kind, sincere and generous hearty laughter whenever he was in his elements. A down to earth person, very reliable, humble, cultured and of good nature.
He had a unique sense of initiative and responsibility. He knew perfect and timely gift for everybody around him. He took good care of his parents and every member of his family extended members inclusive. I never heard him complained. That was why so many people lined up and were on standby for him when he was indisposed. Everyone made conscious effort to do their bit just to make sure that he was okay. He was always there for everyone around him and most willing to assist either solicited for or otherwise.
Very caring and romantic. Salewa his virtuous and dedicated wife will attest to this. Every opportunity he had for an outdoor outing was explored to the fullest. He sponsored a trip of few friends to Whispering Palms for Salewa’s birthday anniversary on September 26 1998. I am very certain that he tried his best enduring the pains of surviving his ordeal in order to stay alive and make his darling Salewa happy, take good care of his parents and other members of the family that may need his help. May God reward Salewa for taking superlative care of Deji.
How I wish God could restructure this irrevocable debt called death and save the very elderly ones, like the parents and older relations of my friend, the agony of witnessing resourceful younger ones like Deji dieing at their prime. He worshiped God with all his might and soul. In his last moments, Salewa confirmed that he cried to God mustering the little strength left in him and I quote; “Jesus, saves me” No doubt, the miracle God performed in his life in January 2001 further boosted his faith in Christ and every one of us who knew what happened. His favorite song was “Bami gberu mi Baba o, ki nle r’ona gbe gba a…….” Nevertheless, we all his loved ones may take solace in the belief that perhaps God takes away his chosen ones at the time he considered best for them.
To God be the glory for Omowale his only child and son who looks so much like him. Also, we thank God for his brothers and sisters Bisi, Dare, Dupe, Taiye, Kehinde, Tokunbo and too many relations and friends who cherished him so much. The best we can do is to keep the hope and aspirations of Deji alive. Our prayer is that whatever will be required to live up to the challenges of his transition may God provide in Jesus name. Amen.
