Tribute To Ajimobi: Oga Died A Fulfilled Man

BABAJIDE FADOJU

Some situations warrant silence – an unbreakable, elongated kind of silence. One that should never be broken ever!

The death of a father, a teacher – one who held my hand and shared himself with me is such an unimaginable loss.

(Senator Abiola) Ajimobi didn’t have to know you, have an affiliation with you to lift you. All you had to do was be who you say you are and improve daily.

Ajimobi called me son. He’d usually say ‘omo mi ni wo’ in the presence of ‘Funlola Adesina

My interview for my appointment was the first invitation to embrace this man and his person. I was there with Steve Ayorinde. The late Dipo Famakinwa was also there.

Oga died a fulfilled man. Much more, he lived a fufilled life – one worthy of all emulation.

As a mortal like those who will say unpleasant things about him, he had flaws, Akanji ọmọ Ajimobi was as soft as heart as they came. Yes, he would not condone inefficiency.

He covered his softness with a lot of ‘first attacks’ to test your resolve. We loved it. It always endEd with jokes and sometimes dinner.

Ọmọ wọn lókè Oja Ọba òní làjú lè kí ìlú ó baje. That was the zeal that enveloped him. The zeal that moved him all of his life.

Ajimobi tí rẹ ibi àgbà n rẹ, one thing is clear. Abiola fi ipa rere lélẹ nínú ìṣàkóso ipinle Oyo.
Akanji she èyí tó ju.
Ajimobi sá ipa tí ẹ ó fi èyí tó kú sílè.

The good that men do live after them. This is sure. Your death, sir is a painful pill to swallow but we take solace in the fact that you lived a good life and a befitting hereafter awaits you.

Ọmọ Ajimobi lókè Ibadan
Ọmọ Agboluaje
Ọmọ oji joru kerikeri
Ẹni owó bàbà rẹ ba tó kọ lọ mú wale ni lè bàbà rẹ.

Fare Thee Well. Father.

Babajide Fadoju served as Special Assistant on Digital Media to late Abiola Ajimobi as Oyo State Governor