Wednesday, 9 January 2019

Akinyede

SIR LAMBERT OLUWAFEMI AKINYEDE (1928-2014): 
A Distinguished Legal Practitioner, Entrepreneur of Note and An Exemplary Philanthropist
By
Seye Adetunmbi, 9/1/19
In the Ekiti District of 1940s, only very few indigenes had the opportunity of attending famous and frontline secondary schools outside the old Ondo Province in the western region of Nigeria. One of the privileged few from Ekiti that attended St Gregory’s College in Lagos then was Chief Lambert Oluwafemi Akinyede. His forefathers were instrumental to how Catholic Church had strong foothold in Ado-Ekiti. His father, Chief Phillip Akinyede, the Asamo of Ado-Ekiti was the Baba-Egbe (the Lay President) of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ado-Ekiti. He was born by his mother, Madam Maria Oni Akinyede on April 19th 1928 in Ado-Ekiti.
St Gregory's College Days of Chief L. O. Akinyede
Between 1933 and 1942, he attended St George’s Catholic Primary School, Ado-Ekiti. Brilliant Lambert continued his secondary education at St Gregory’s College, Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos in 1946 and passed his final examination in flying colours in 1951.
It has to be noted here that Chief Akinyede was a keen sportsman in his secondary school days. He was the Captain of St Augustine’s House at St Gregory College in his final year. As a skillful footballer, he played in the center half of the school first eleven for four years during which the college won Lagos Schools Cup for three consecutive years. On the return of the national football team from a tour of UK in 1951, he was among the students selected to play the national soccer team. He also served as the Lawn Tennis Captain, the Table-Tennis Captain and Cricket Captain during his last year at St. Gregory College, Lagos.
In 1952 to 1953, he attended Regent Street Polytechnic on Oxford Street in London where he obtained A-Level certificate in Economics, History and British Constitution. He gained admission into University of Bristol, South West England in 1954 and obtained LL.B. degree in Law in 1957. While at the Regent Street Polytechnic and University of Bristol, he played competitive table tennis, lawn tennis and cricket. After passing through the Council of Legal Education, Chancery Lane, England, he obtained BL certificate in 1958 and became the first Ado-Ekiti indigene to be qualified as a lawyer.
On his return to Nigeria he was enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor and Advocate on the 23rd of December 1958. Between January and December 1959 he worked for Shell Company of Nigeria before going into private law practice. Hardworking and smart Chief L. O. Akinyede went into legal practice with Chief Olajide Esan as a partner in 1959. Esan, Akinyede & Co was a firm of legal practitioners and Notary Public; they had their office at 78 Murtala Mohammed Way, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. The law firm practiced extensively in the south western Nigeria handling cases relating to criminal law, civil cases and land matters. The partnership flourished from inception in 1959 to year 2000 to the glory of God. In his usual character, Chief Lambert Akinyede fondly remarked that he owed a lot to his senior partner, Chief Olajide Esan of blessed memory too.
Chief Akinyede got married to his evergreen heartthrob and beloved beautiful wife, Chief Mrs Florence Olufimilayo Akinyede, nee Osho. She was the first daughter of Mr Jonathan Oso of Baisaya family of Okesa quarter in Ado-Ekiti and her mother was Madam Alice Adepeju Oke of the royal family of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. The ever resourceful Chief Mrs Akinyede who joined saints triumphant on January 5th 2019 was a fruitful educationist and a talented fashion designer for many decades. The marriage of Baba and Mama Akinyede was blessed with seven productive and successful children: Mrs Folusho Olatunbosun, Mrs Modupe Fakeye, Olori Monisola Alade, Tunde Akinyede, Mrs Yinka Olatunbosun, Dapo Akinyede and Muyi Akinyede. As at the time of the transition of the patriarch, there were 22 grandchildren in the family. Sir & Lady Lambert Akinyede made marriage beautiful with the imitable manner they carried on as husband and wife. They entrenched family values in all their children that continue to keep marriage institution sacred in their respective homes.
Chief Lambert Akinyede was noted for discipline, honesty, probity, steadfastness, respect for elders, honouring one’s parents, selfless service in the vineyard of God, philanthropy, investment acumen, prudence, accessibility, openness, prudence, courage and other salient family values. All these virtues attributed to him constituted his personal philosophy and principles that guided his relationship with people generally. These attributes had been encapsulated in the word “Lambertism” by his children and wards. His favorite quotes that also speak to his life style guided by lambertism include:
  • Don’t leave until tomorrow what you can do today because you don’t know what tomorrow may bring”;
  • “Though the beginning may be tough, hard and strenuous, but with determination, focus and rigorous pursuit of your ideas, joy and success will definitely come your way at the end;
  • “An investment in knowledge will always pay the dividends, I therefore suggest that people should acquire more knowledge from time to time”;
  • “Little drops of water make the biggest ocean. By this you must be saving consciously rather than embarking on extravagant spending. That is how you can be financially empowered”
Chief Akinyede was a kind hearted person. One of his longest serving loyal staff was his driver, egbon John who remained with the family after his transition. How benevolent a boss is can be seen in the way the workers are treated. He ensured that his driver has a personal house among other benefits he enjoyed over the years. He trained many members of his extended family in school and empowered numerous people among his kinsmen and others who moved close to him or approached him for various kinds of assistance.

The chief in his elements was a jolly good fellow. He was a founding member of Ado Inland Club and a member of Lagos Island Club. He contributed his quota to emancipation of Ekiti people though his membership of Ekiti Progressive Union in Lagos and Ado-Ekiti Progressive Union in Lagos. He was also a founding member of Obanikoro Club in Lagos. Sir Akinyede also served as the President of St George’s Society of St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti.
“A golden fish has no hiding place”. The good deeds of the distinguished Ekiti man, coupled with his distinct profile put him on the spot; this earned him recognition and awards from his kinsmen. In 1979 when His Royal Majesty Oba Olayisade, the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti was marking 40th anniversary on the throne, he was honoured with the title of Bobajiro of Ido-Ekiti. Also His Royal Majesty, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti honored him with the chieftaincy title of Akinmuagun of Ado-Ekiti in 1993. His exemplary roles in Catholic mission earned him the exalted Knighthood of St Gregory the Great.
Sir Chief Lambert Olu Akinyede passed-on, on the 22nd of November, 2014. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace, amen.

Monday, 3 December 2018

Deji Omole

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.

Sunday, 7 October 2018

Mrs Adedayo Adeniyi

"HONEY POT": MRS F. A. ADENIYI (1931-2018)
Seye Adetunmbi
No doubt, Mama Florence Adedayo Adeniyi was a faithful Christian, wife, mother who gave a remarkable account of herself in other fronts to the glory of God. Her husband, Professor Adeoye Adeniyi called her "honey pot" because she attracted all and sundry. It was a beautiful farewell service that was held for her at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Ilorin on the 5th of October, 2018 in Ilorin.
Mrs Felicia Adedayo Ibilola Adeniyi was sired by one of the early Christians who took up full-time calling in the vineyard, Rev & Mrs Samuel Atiba Adegbite of Oyo royal family. She was a mother, wife, grandma and an in-law in a million. She attended Baptist Girl's College Idi-Aba, Abeokuta and Rachel McMillan College of Education of the University of London as one of the beneficiaries of the Western Nigerian Education Scholarship Scheme (1952-1956).
The professional calling of Mummy as she was popularly called, made her a great teacher and mentor at Du Beuvoire Infant/Nursery School, London; Church of England Infant/Junior School, Sheffield (1967-1972); University of Ibadan Staff School (1961-62); Ogbomoso Girls High School (1963-1966); University of Ibadan Staff School; foundation Headmistress at Orita Meta Baptist Nursery/Primary School; Foundation Headmistress at the Staff School of University of Ilorin.
Her career, carriage and integrated enviable dispositions complemented her marriage to the suave, revered and quintessential Professor Adeoye Adeniyi, an accomplished Professor of Medicine and onetime Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Over the years through to their graceful old age and until death actually separated them, they remained a cute and inspiring coupe to behold. Baba and Mama got married 65 years ago and God blessed the holy matrimony with accomplished children.
Mummy Adeniyi had a strong Baptist background together with her beloved husband. As dedicated members of the Baptist Church, they remained devout Christians and showed good examples to fellow Christians.
Naturally like most successful career teachers of her time, Mrs Adeniyi was a disciplinarian which was a blessing to everyone who passed through her tutelage. Her biological children, relations and students have so many testimonies today to the glory of God.
In the home front, her children called her “chef extraordinaire”; to them her kitchen was almost “hallowed grounds”' where she was at her magical best and her cooking was non parreil. She was indeed “honey pot” to her beloved family. If you have met mummy, saw and associated closely with her, you just have to give kudos to the eloquent, smart, stylish, graceful, home maker. She was an accomplished, fulfilled and supportive wife of the very pleasant Baba, Prof Adeoye Adeniyi.
What else can one say to a graceful about exemplar that has rested in the lord, than to pray for her beloved family that she left behind. Baba Adeoye is particularly on my mind now that his soulmate, best friend and an unequaled companion had gone forever.  Ki Olorun tu Baba ninu, ki Oluwa si duro ti won.
Remembering how mummy danced to good music at her 80th birthday celebration in 2011, the memory left me no iota of doubt that she was a cool jolly good fellow in her elements. Her time came on August 14th, 2018 an her boy was laid to rest in Ilorin on October 5th 2018. May her gentle soul rest in peace, amen. Ehin mummy a dara o. O di gba ma.


FINAL RITES FOR MUMMY ADENIYI
On Friday, 5th October 2018, the body of Mrs Florence Adedayo Adeniyi was laid to rest after a befitting funeral service at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Sabo-Oke, Ilorin in Kwara-State of Nigeria.
Funeral Service

 

Interment


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reception



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