Abiodun Aikomo's tribute to the late Sir Olaniwun Ajayi.
I know that all men must someday die and become no more, yet your uncommon grace and admirable good health beclouded my sense of reasoning. I consequently assumed that you were going to be around for at least a Century-if not more, even when you were subtly preparing my mind for the reality that was to come. On Saturday 29th October 2016 when you called me on phone and requested that I help you get the recently published biography of President Muhammadu Buhari by Prof. John Paden, I asked you how soon you needed the book and you responded, "at my age, anything I tell you to do must be done with dispatch." It did not occur to me that you were stylishly bidding me farewell. Meanwhile, I last visited you at Isara on 1st October 2016 as I journeyed to Oyo from Lagos in the company of my mother. There was no plan to visit you, but as we approached Ogere/SAAPADE, I felt a strong urge to introduce my mum to Kabiyesi (whom I have always spoken loftily about) since that was a good opportunity to do so. And very early on that Saturday morning with no prior appointment, you were as warm as ever to receive us. I can still hear that firm voice of yours- Oloyo, … as you are wont to call me, a great time we had and as usual you gave us your prayers; Ona ‘a dara o, amin. Then, the reality of 4th of November, which I am still grappling with.
Writing about you, your life and the times I was privileged by your magnanimous grace to share with you, has been extremely hard for me. I thought I could write, but to write about you at this time, especially in the past tense, words have consistently failed me. How can I put in writing, albeit in a few pages, the plethora of experiences I have gathered from you? How do I write in such a way that people might understand your life in its ramified manifestations? How do I write about such an enigma like you – Kabiyesi? How?
In a life time of ninety-one plus years, you were able to combine so many things; I have always wondered and I still do, as to how you were able to run several streams side-by-side, all excellently, and yet their waters do not mingle? You were a father, a visionary, a bridge-builder, a peace-maker, an architect, a helper, a Christian, a servant-leader in every sense of the word, an encourager, an entrepreneur, an administrator, a politician, a farmer, a song composer/band-leader/choirmaster, a political scientist, a human rights activist and freedom fighter, an eminent historian, a philanthropist, an organizer, a teacher of teachers, and a lawyer of lawyers. Recently, I was tempted to ask myself whether you weren’t an angel after all?
Should I disclose how many people benefited from your scholarships, or how you were a blessing to the needy? Should I mention the hitherto disintegrated homes that you brought together; lives the rehabilitation of which you were instrumental? Should I list the many people you either bought land for or encouraged to buy lands; or those you helped in building their houses? What about your donations and erection of edifices at MTI Sagamu running into several hundreds of millions of naira or your numerous donations to the Methodist Church at Isara? What about those with seeming hopeless situations and cases who you literally brought back to life? Need I talk about your great efforts towards reconciling feuding Yoruba monarchs? Could life have been more meaningful? Yours was a life of service; to God and to man. Kabiyesi, should I declare to the whole world your unparalleled love for Nigeria, and the Yoruba race in particular? As a lawyer, I honestly would have loved to mention names and adduce evidence of your good deeds, unfortunately I cannot because you were never vainglorious. I would thus not violate your time-tested virtue of humility.
Nevertheless, like it was for Tabitha in the Holy Book, I will tell of you through my personal experiences. When sometime in the first quarter of 2009, Dr. Konyinsola Ajayi SAN gave me the manuscripts of a book you were then working on, for my review cum editorial work, he never knew he was opening to me a world of great opportunities. Through that singular act, the foundation was laid for one of the most cherished relationships I will ever have. After several meetings with Kabiyesi on the book project which meetings were characterized by intellectual arguments and great learning, your book: Nigeria: Africa’s Failed Asset?was finalized, printed and gloriously launched at the MUSON in November 2009. Other books followed, your autobiography- Lest We Forget, the book on your hometown- Isara Afotamodi: My Jerusalem and at your 90th, Olaniwun- a story of your life through historical images. From those experiences, I can boldly declare that I am an Olaniwun Ajayi scholar. I was also your Counsel at some point in the two cases in which you were personally involved; the unprosecuted appeal against a defamation judgment of the High Court of Ogun State in your favour, and another before the High Court of Ogun State sitting at Sagamu in respect of SAAPADE land. I am grateful that you considered me worthy of several other sundry assignments beyond law. From our interactions in the course of the foregoing, I saw first-hand, your time tested values of honesty, dedication, humility, class, love for one’s neighbor, hard-work and absolute faith in God almighty. I remember our several meetings at Isara whereat you shared several personal experiences with me to guide me as a young man. I will forever cherish the intellectually stimulating arguments we had on several recondite national issues, even at your age of grace. I particularly remember with relish our 2010 trip to the Villa, (not knowing that you were preparing me for such a time as this) which was my first time in a Private Jet! I am grateful for the great men and women I met through you all of who still accord me tremendous respect as Omo Baba Ajayi! Through you Kabiyesi, and following from the great lessons you taught me from your rich and numerous encounters with Pa.Obafemi Awolowo, I can boldly claim that I am a grand-follower of Baba Awo. I shall always remember the great lessons of History that you taught me, and above all the values of being an Omolu’abi.
What with the equanimity with which you received the News of my intention to exit Olaniwun Ajayi LP? Unlike a typical Master about to lose a loyal servant, you only asked me pertinent questions to be sure I knew what I was doing and you gave me your prayers! Just like that?
That was why in paragraph 4 of my valedictory email to the Partners, Tenants and everyone at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, in appreciating you, I stated as follows that: I appreciate beyond words the skills, knowledge, exposure and opportunities that I have garnered over these years particularly for the rare privilege of working closely with the immaculate Kabiyesi- Sir Olaniwun Ajayi KJW who I revere greatly. It was an experience and privilege I will continue to carry with me eternally, share with generations to come and for which I am profusely grateful’’. I meant those words then, now and will forever do. I call you Kabiyesi, for in truth, from the first day I sighted you up till our last meeting, I saw greatness and royalty in everythingabout you, even in the way you eat! Kabiyesi, you weresimply unforgettable, and notwithstanding that you have meaningfully affected lives while you were here, and have built an enduring institution, I will tell of you to many who shall come. I owe this to you as a debt.
If heaven were like this world, or if there are social arrangements up there, I am certain that Mama Adunolaand several others to whom you meant a lot whilst on this side of the divide, would have organized a big welcome party for you; to herald the homecoming of a great citizen of heaven. You were great in all ramifications; your kindness was of an angelic fragrance, of the kind that smells to the high heavens. You were a highly principled man who will never give-up on any cause you believed in, even when the whole world believed to the contrary. Kabiyesi, I marveled at how you met disaster and triumph with great equanimity. You walked with the crowds and were able to keep your virtue, you walked with Kings, and did not lose the common touch. I mourn your transition, notfor anything untoward, for yours was a life very well spent, however, I mourn for the singular fact that I shall miss your incomparable presence. I will however forever speak of the good seeds that you have sown and shall be forever grateful to you for accepting me as your son.
Good night, the great Kabiyesi.
