…..22 distinguished well-wishers who gave dignity and respectability to the book launch 7 years ago had gone!
To my Mentors, Mentees, Friends, Associates and Colleagues who honoured me with their precious presence at the Public Presentation of 1,400 –page compendium “In The Belly of Vultures” at NECA House, Ikeja Central Business District, Lagos State Nigeria on March 1, 2018 but who have since relocated to the Life After in the Continuum.
On 1st Day of March 2025, I recall with painful nostalgia the beautiful and cheerful faces of the men and women who were gaily dressed that day 7 years ago chatting and laughing as we all unveiled the 4 kilogram book which we all gathered to celebrate.
Renowned industrialist and bank promoter Alhaji Adebayo Adetunji, in loco parentis to me arrived Ikeja with his wife of over 50 years-all the way from Ibadan- before 9 AM that day. Alhaji Adetunji passed away in 2020 and less than a year later, his wife Funmi also passed. He was 89, his wife was 81.
My senior cousin and 2 times Federal Minister, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye passed on at 81 in 2021.
My great Friend, an intellectual giant and President General of Ohaneze, the Igbo Umbrella Organization, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, former Ambassador to Israel and the United States also passed aged 80+ years.
Barrister Muhammed Fawehinmi, first son of the fiery Conscience of the Nation Chief Gani Fawehinmi has also passed on. He came in a wheel chair to honour my invitation on that day. He was the cynosure of all eyes.
My old friend Raymond Nwaokobia used by Destiny to make Fate bring me face-to-face with my wife in 1972 was gracefully seated in the hall despite his failing health. He too now lives in the Life After.
Journalist, author and Public Relations Guru, Mr Folu Koyi is no longer with us on the surface of the earth.
Dr Femi Ogunleye, Journalist, Public Relations super star, and PhD student in Law studies was very prominent at the launch. Kabiyesi Femi Ogunleye, the Towulade of Akinale kingdom was very conspicuous in his 3-piece suit that day. His Royal Highness was a colleague and friend of over 55 years!
My unforgettable Mentor and caring Boss at Daily Times, former Editor Daily Times, former commissioner of Information of old Oyo state, and renowned author of Economics books Chief Areoye Oyebola gave a glowing testimonial about his boy at the book launch. He too passed at 83.
My former Personal Assistant when I served as Federal Permanent Secretary in 1991, Economist and Aviation expert Taiwo Adenekan popularly called ‘Omo-Olope’ also passed. He was the Head of the Africa Division of Canada University Press, publishers of the compendium. He was also the Secretary of the Public Presentation Committee. Taiwo was more than a brother, he was a treasure!
My Canada-based and friend of four decades Dr Kobina Papa Sagoe was with me at the launch, in one of his rare visits to Nigeria. He was accompanied by his younger brother Kofie Sagoe, also my friend. He commenced his journey suddenly a week to Christmas 2024 while preparing to bring his entire family to spend the New year at his Lekki home. He was two months short of 81.
Iconic Femi Esho, father of African Music Heritage was present with his signature beard. He too has joined his ancestors at barely 70.
Firebrand activist and ultra patriotic nationalist Yinka Odumakin, erstwhile Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere the Umbrella body of Yoruba groups irrepressible Yinka Odumakin was in attendance live. He sat with Pa Ayo Adebanjo and NADECO brainbox Dr Amos Akingba. Yinka left before age 60!
Bolaji Ogunseye, public intellectual and renowned consultant to several agencies of United Nations organization also came. And now he is with his maker.
Otunba Gbenga Osinowo, perfect gentleman and former Commissioner in Ogun State honoured my invitation. A Community leader and respected Odogbolu chief, OGO, as he was fondly called bowed out after the book launch.
Another perfect gentleman and top notch technocrat, Sir Remi Omotoso, erstwhile Group managing Director of Odua Investments Ltd, former chairman of Standard Chattered Bank and friend of six decades sat quietly throughout the ceremonies He too bade goodbye to earthly kingdom in 2020 aged 75.
Ebullient Chief Giwa Bisi Rodipe, renowned industrialist, estate magnate and Africa’s largest tree planter was full of life throughout the ceremony. A friend of six decades, Rodipe left at age 84.
Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun, Founder of First City Monument Bank [FCMB Group Plc] was not physically present but his representative and fat cheque came to the hall. Uncle Subomi passed, aged 89.
World Court Judge Prince Bola Ajibola could not come physically but his representative and fat cheque occupied centre stage. His lordship, the proprietor of Crescent University Abeokuta also left, aged 89.
Nineteen lovely souls from just one occasion, all departed within 7 years. What a personal loss to me! What a loss to humanity! What a loss to the families they left behind.
Barely a week after I concluded this collective tribute to the 19 departed souls, news of the passing to glory of Mr Book, the universally renowned Publisher, Dutch-Nigerian Chief Joop Berkhout hit the airwaves and newspapers around the world.
Chief Berkhout could rightly be described as the grandfather of Elite publishing in Nigeria.
He was visibly present at the book launch. In fact he arrived the venue at 9 AM, all the way from Ibadan some 120 kilometers away from Lagos!
Just as we went into mourning for the 93 year old Joop, the iconic Nonagenarian Chief Ayo Adebanjo also bade the world farewell.
Chief Ayo Adebanjo was the face, the soul, and the Voice of Yoruba progressives in Nigerian politics and the irrepressible campaigner for Restructuring, True Federalism and Good Governance.
Easily the most outspoken member of his generation, Chief Ayo Adebanjo refused to sit on the high table at the occasion arguing that he was rightly the Chief Host on that day.
As I concluded this Memorial piece last week in readiness for the press, news broke that my blood relation from my mother’s Odogbolu roots, Alayeluwa Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa who added royal glamour to the ceremony on March 1 had gone to join his ancestors.
Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa and I had been great pals for over six decades apart from being relatives. In fact I lived briefly with his family in Lagos in 1977.
Great Guy, great Monarch.
22 distinguished well-wishers who gave dignity and respectability to the book launch 7 years ago had gone!
You all were my people. My loved and cherished ones. Those to whom I mattered and who in turn mattered so much to me. The only uniting force for us is the indivisibility and immortality of the Soul.
All Souls return to the same pool. The SelfManifest is the grand Soul. The Spirit Soul, the Soul Fire! The imperishable Soul. The Immortal. The Fuel, the Life, the Breath of Life that fires the body garment. The garment that ages, withers and dies!
I miss you all. Your sweet memories linger on till eternity.
Agbaoye Tola Adeniyi, the Irunmole.
March 1, 2025.
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