Engr. Babajide (Bob) Akinwumi

Dear Uncle

It's hard to accept this sudden reality, everything seems like a temporary moment that I anxiously await to pass. I constantly play back all our conversations, jokes and arguments, hoping to find something I may have missed and wishing we spent more time before this rude shock.
Without a doubt you made me a better man and your impact in my life will outlive me.
I will forever miss you Uncle.

Love beyond words.

Niyi

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Uncle Bob,
I discovered these last days that you no more since last year. I found goods words to tell this sad news to your twin at IITA-BENIN, my father Oscar Eyog Matig. He told me that he didn't have any information about you since many months.
Dear Uncle Bob, thank you for all you have done for me and for your twin Oscar.
Rest in Peace, Uncle Bob.

Herve Jr Lissouck

Only once did I meet Bob, but I consider myself lucky enough to have had the chance to cross his way: "la force tranquille", someone interesting and interested, capable of listening, laid back and serene,generous, a man of heart with a kind of humble joy.
May this be an example to us.
Fare well !

Klaus Mantzel

It was with great sadness that I learnt of Uncle Bob’s passing and along with my father, I send wholehearted condolences to Auntie Genevieve and the extended family.

As Dr James’s kids, we met many ‘uncles’ and ‘aunties’ in Cotonou, many of whom would go on to be lifelong friends of our family, but the Akuwumis keep a special place on our hearts as both the kids and parents were close.

May God peacefully rest his soul and once again, we are deeply sorry the family’s loss.

Rest well Uncle Bob.

Dana James Jnr.

Bob, my own dear cousin. Hearing the sad news about your untimely demise has been a sad and bitter pill to swallow - to date.

However, it is heartening to have witnessed that you came, you saw and you conquered as evidenced by your successful, fruitful, and enjoyable life shared with as many as came your way.

I fondly recall the wonderful and exciting times we spent together at Cotonuo, the Republic of Benin, also in Lomé, Togo and here in Ibadan. Your creativity and intelligence cannot be contested. You were ever so accommodating, generous, and forthright. Bob, you are being sorely missed.
May the good Lord grant us that you left behind the grace and strength to bear the vacuum created in our hearts.

Bobby, rest well in the bosom of your Saviour. Adieu dear brother!

Olu Odubanjo

I lost a very dearly big brother. May his gentle soul rest in peace. 🙏 Yomi Bakare

Yomi Bakare

Tribute to a community man

Engineer Julius Babajide Osahon Akinwumi your departure from the community- Peace and Progress Estate, Bada, Agbo, Akobo, Ibadan, is so sudden to the extent that one could not believe that this relationship with the environment had ended.

You were a community man. Although you at times might not be physically present at meetings, you loved the community to such a level that you silently and voluntarily sponsored projects which enhanced progress and comfort. You readily paid your monthly and other levies in the community. When the monthly dues were increased, in spite of the fact that you have already paid in advance the dues up to the end of the year, you also paid the increase accordingly.

Death has snatched you away from amongst us.

We love you but God loves you the most. Rest in the blossom of our God and Creator till the resurrection day.

Residents, Peace and Progress Estate, Bada Agboo, Akobo-Ibadan

Engineer Akinwumi has been known by our family long before his retirement and his relocation to his house from Benin Republic. He is our next door neighbour. According to people in Zone 1 of Bada/Agbo area, he was an objective and generous person who developed a very cordial relationship with them while his house was under construction. Alhaji Akintayo, a prominent landlord there recounted many testimonies to this effect. Engineer Akinwumi’s house keeper known as Pascal was observed to be very much at home with the people in the area to the extent that his house was being referred to as Pascal’s house in the whole area even to General gas by taxi drivers and commercial motorcyclists.

When he became permanently resident in his house at PeCe and Progress community, which was formally zone 2 of Bada/Agbo area, we became closer and interacted cordially. As our next door neighbour whom we share a fence, we settled issues pertaining to our surroundings amicably and objectively. He was always straightforward in his approach to issues. We shall miss pleasurable times of relaxation with him, his attendance of Christmas carol services and music concerts with us at our church. His ready acceptance of giving us water at the peak of dry seasons when we usually experience insufficient water from our well cannot cannot be forgotten.

To state that his sudden death gas put us in bewilderment is not an overstatement.
While wishing him eternal rest with our saviour Jesus Christ, we pray that God grants his immediate and extended families the fortitude to carry on peacefully with his demise in Jesus Name, Amen.

Engineer and Mrs Afonja family, Neighbour, Peace and Progress Estate.

Bob, As I normally called him is more than a colleague to me when I was a Biocontrol Secretary. He distinguished himself as a good leader coupled with his diverse background which earns him respect among the staff of Biocontrol. It saddened me when I read about his demise because we had a chat on Facebook recently. May his gentle soul rest in a perfect peace. S.O. Olajube

S.O. Olajube

Honor to you Bob,who brought light to many people living with differences. You introduced me to African culture and his people in such a way that I spent twenty (20) years in Africa discovering this beautiful continent and its people. You were a man of trust, of love and using his intelligence to discover and explore the world. Thank you for having be there.

Claire Lebeau

Hmm Dad,a father for all he is,a disciplinarian,thanks so much for your impact in my life most especially for taking me as one of your children throughout my stay with you at Ibadan,there is no how I will write the story of my life without remembering you.I still find it difficult to believe you are gone but thank God you run the race and won, a crown of glory await for you in heaven.I love you but God loves u more .
Adieu Dad.

Oriade Anthonia (Ipetu-Ijesa)

Dear Uncle Jide (Bob) till we meet again at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ. May your soul rest in peace to peace.
The Lord will strengthen everyone you left behind, and grant the grace to bear the loose. Adieu!

Bimpe Ogunleye

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (KJV) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

Eng. Bob Akinwumi, as fondly called, is the younger brother to Mrs Remi Alade , the Proprietor of ESOHE MEMORIAL KINDERLAND NURSERY/PRIMARY and STARLITE COLLEGE IBADAN.

We testify that you were a man of integrity, kind hearted, friendly , industrious,philanthropic and father to many in need.

You were a great supporter of quality education, creativity and Sports..

How can we forget how you sponsored a workshop on the art of turning "Trash to Treasure.? "

You brought an artist from Abeokuta who trained the students on how to recycle empty cans to create beautiful wall decorations.

You supported all our Schools Inter house Sports Competitions,




The Visit by the SCI final year Students to your Fish ponds for practical Fishery demonstrations and lectures on the importance of Science Education, were so much appreciated and will be greatly missed.

We , the Management, Staff,Parents and Students of EMK & SCI are blessed to have known you.

You have come , done your bit and we are sure you are resting peacefully with the Lord Jesus Christ , the Hope of Our Glory.

Goodnite Engineer Bob .We will always remember your words of encouragement and contributions to our generation.

E.M. Kinderland

What a great loss, you will be missed. May your gentle soul rest in peace.

Uncle Jide, soun re oo!😓

Claire Anosike

Uncle Bob,
You will always be remembered for your smiles, jokes and kindness. You are beautiful in out with a large heart. You are one in a million. You have come, conquered and fought a good fight and now a crown awaits you in heaven where there is no more pains but full of life, ever lasting joy and happiness.
It hard to believe that you have gone just like that With all the good stuff the good Lord had deposited in you.
We love you but Jesus loves you more.
Sleep on till we all meet at the resurrection morning.
Adieu uncle Bob.

Kemi

"Welcome my son",

Remember this joke? You had just come home from work and we, in our usual excitement, rushed out to greet you and carry your bag when I playfully gushed "Welcome my son". Confused, you narrowed your gaze at me and I giggled reminding you that I was born on your late mother's birthday so technically, that made you my son. Your cheeks lifted in amusement and you laughed heartily before telling me how you got the name "Babajide". A name given to you because of your birth on the day your beloved mother's father was laid to rest. And just like that, I was back to being your daughter again, this time sharing yet another common trait with you.

Our hands, our feet, our left leg with the same birthmark on the exact spot, our premature grey hairs, our intense love of water, adventure, daddy jokes, design, and the simple pleasures of life are now all beautiful reminders of who I am. Your descendant. Your baby girl, as you so often called me.

You have left a void that can never be filled but you have also left a great mark on us all. A mark that calls for integrity, intentionality, and ideals. Even in death, you are inspiring.

It is an honour to be your descendant and an honour to be called your daughter.

As your loving mother now welcomes you home, I achingly bid you farewell until we meet again.

Goodbye, my father.

Your baby girl,
Yeye

Yewande Dosda

Mr. Akinwumi Snr.

All I want to do is take you fishing - to make that exception for you and share a bottle of wine together like we were going to.

What my heart feels, my head cannot yet make sense of. We were looking forward to so much.

You were going to be our accountability partner on the numerous projects Bethanny and I had just embarked on.

You gave me so much perspective in our last conversations. Whoever thought they would be our last.

We talked about fatherhood.

There's an image, in my head, of Yewande, Adjua, and myself, all hanging from both of your arms, in mid-air.

I've thought about this image quite a lot lately.

Thank you for always being strong enough to carry us.

You loved to carry us everywhere.

Thank you for giving us front-row seats to observe what it means to live a life filled with passion, a life in pursuit of one's dreams, and a life dedicated to helping others.

"Mr. Akinwumi Snr." - as I loved to call you.

Today, the name represents the big shoes that I strive to fill:

It represents integrity, hard work, being prepared, showing up for the ones you love, and never standing on the sidelines.

I love you with all my heart, daddy.

The legacy continues.

Till we meet again.

Segun Akinwumi

Moments like this, one is reminded of how limiting words are. How does one express the visceral emotions that come with the loss of a father, protector, role model, counsel, and friend?

You were many things and everything to me, daddy. You know this. When I think of you, I think of laughter first of all. Conversations lasting for hours on end, stories being shared, and so much laughter shared between us. I also think of duty, of what it means to live a meaningful life. I think of your heart that bled for and loved so many; a heart that never stopped seeing beauty in our flawed world. "Remember to stop and smell the roses", you repeated these words so often to me that I now carry them as a mantra.

You lived an exemplary life full of courage, integrity, purpose, a sense of adventure, and so much kindness. You boldly forged your own path and navigated life on your own terms. You were the master of your fate, the captain of your soul. Yet, you were always there to lend a hand to many around you. You gave and you gave and you gave. In every sense of the word, you were a father to me. A father to so many. You have left impossible shoes to fill, a painful void in the lives of those left behind.

There is so much I want to say, so much I wish I told you. I am proud and blessed to walk through this life as your daughter. Every iota of my being will forever love you.

Till we meet again,
Your last born, your baby girl

Adjua Akinwumi

Bob,

Your unexpected passing has left an enormous void.

Even though I was lucky to have had met you once, I will never forget my short stay with you.

I am deeply inspired by your generosity, fervent adventure-seeking, sense of purpose, and constant drive to better the lives of those around you.

I am, particularly, a great admirer of the way you lived your life - according to your own values and rules; always giving the best of yourself and inciting everyone to do the same.

In my sadness, however, I remain grateful to have had met you in person.

You are a father to me, a remarkable and exemplary one that will continue to guide me for the rest of my life.

For even if heroes die, the memory of their deeds is immortal.

Rest in peace.

Simon Dosda

To my incredible father-in-law,

It was truly an honor to call you my father. Your love, kindness, wisdom, and generosity will never be forgotten.

You were a shining light that helped guide me through this journey called life. And although you've been called up to heaven your impact will remain. Just like a star shines well beyond its existence in the sky; your light will continue to shine for generations on this earth.

I cherish every conversation we had and I'll cherish my memories of you for the rest of my life.

Until we meet again.

Bethanny Akinwumi

Je suis très peinée d'apprendre le décès de notre cher Papa Bob Akinwumi.
Pendant près de 15 ans, notre ami notre bienfaiteur, notre Papa-Bob comme l'appelle les enfants poly-handicapés du centre les Archanges de Dékanmè.

Papa-Bob nous rendait visite aux grandes fêtes avec des cadeaux, des vivres du savons pour le centre selon ses moyens. Il était généreux et très paternel avec les enfants. Le 11 juillet de chaque année, jour de son anniversaire, il venait avec tout ce qu'il faut pour un bon petit déjeuner pour les enfants et cela pour un bon mois et ils étaient une vingtaine. Il venait avec ses enfants: Yewande, Adjoua, Shégun qui avait à peine 9 ans. Il a voulu que chacun d'eux choisisse un filleul parmi les handicapés .il leur communiquait déjà son sens de générosité et de partage avec les plus pauvres, les moins nantis.

Grâce à Papa-Bob, nous avons beaucoup d'amis nigérians, Associations et groupes de prière qui nous visitaient avec des dons pour les enfants.

Un de mes grands souvenirs, est la belle fête que nous avons vécu le jour de ses 50 ans avec ses enfants, sa famille ses amis venu du Nigeria, de Cotonou.

Papa-Bob est un homme de prière, un homme de coeur, un homme qui a connu la souffrance, un homme de foi.

De son temps de service à IITA, il nous a replanté tout notre champ de manioc sur notre ferme et nous jouissons encore de cette bonne qualité de manioc. Nous avons profité de son huile de soja pour la cuisine du centre lors de son initiative pour la création d'une huilerie de soja.

Même en service au Nigéria, papa -Bob nous rendait visite et restait en contact avec nous.
Son départ brutal nous touche profondément. Messes et prières seront dites pour le repos de son âme, afin qu'il entre vite dans la béatitude éternelle.

Papa-Bob, pour nous tu es vivant chez le Bon Dieu et nous n'aimerions pas que ton départ de cette terre soit la fin de votre amitié, de votre soutien paternel avec tes enfants: Les Archanges de Dekanmé. Continue de la -haut de les soutenir comme tu le ferais pour les enfants et petits enfants et toute ta famille.

Toutes nos condoléances à la famille particulierement à Yewande, Adjua, Segun et leur maman.

Papa-Bob merci pour tout.
Repose en paix.
Au nom des enfants du Centre les Archanges de Dekanmè, et de tout le personnel.

Soeur Sabine M. Glélè

Where do I start from ? Uncle Bob was like a father to me ... ever so patient and understanding. As your "official ADC " you taught me so many things about life and these are things that I will cherish forever. I always admired how you enjoyed thinking outside of the box when we confronted all types of situations and this has helped me become the person I am today.

I have so many stories of our times together and those memories I will always hold dear to me...

You will be greatly missed Uncle Bob by myself and my family.

Rest in perfect Peace !

Seyi Alade

Dear Uncle Bob,
I can never forget when I first met you as you returned from Germany. We developed such a bond that earned me the place as your 'first girlfriend'. It has really been a pleasure to know you, a smart, solution-oriented, very practical, yet so caring and generous person. You have touched, so so many lives and we shall all never ever forget you.
Thank you for sharing your life and love with us.
You will be sorely missed!!

Funmilayo Olopade (Niece)

Bob, yes you thoroughly were worried and you missed me while I was hospitalized in UK. You called regularly to check on me and wished me well. I returned and you were very happy.

After I returned, we spoke regularly as I recuperated. When I called few days before your demise, to tell you that I will soon visit you, you said, as usual, I will expect you when I see you. This first attempt to pay you a surprise weekend visit to Ibadan on Sunday was not successful as I called on arrival in Ibadan your phone rang until it rang no more. I suspected you had traveled to Cotonou. It was to be a wonderful reunion after over one year of missing ourselves. You never called back as you normally would. I got more worried but never suspected any danger. When I got a call from our associate on Monday morning, I laid my complaint that I could not reach you the previous day in Ibadan. To my great surprise, I was told you were in UCH and critically ill. Within 30mins I got called back that you passed. It is regrettable that we never got to see even for once.

We missed ourselves for one and a half years and painfully never had the opportunity to reunite again. Now I have missed you Bob forever.

We got along because we both have some common traits and you already were comfortable with me as an EGBON that can be loved and I loved you too which you know.

The members of the All saints’ Catholic church Ipetu-ijesha will miss you.

Bob, this your “Egbon” as you call me and my entire household will miss your presence in Ipetu.

The members of the Board of TITILAYO ILESANMI FOUNDATION will miss you.

Our consolation, by our faith, is that we shall meet again.

Thank you, BOB for being a GOOD AND TRUSTWORTHY BROTHER AND FRIEND.

Sleep well BOB.

Ilesanmi Francis

Bob was a great colleague, and more importantly a valued friend. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to the Akinwumi family.

Steve Yaninek (Purdue)

Friendly man.
Our condolences to his family.
May his soul rest in peace

Razack Adeoti

Dear Akinwumi Family,

It is with great sadness that I learned of Bob’s passing this morning. Bob was a friend, colleague and respected staff member of the Africa-Wide Biocontrol program. I can’t remember the year I did hire him as our engineer, to manage all aspect of the very biocontrol program, from insect rearing equipment to the mechanical workshop and labs. He fulfilled his duties with skill and dedication to work well done and was appreciated by all staff for his friendliness and readiness to assist.

He will be missed as a great colleague and key supporting staff member of the Biocontrol program.

Let me send my deepest condolences and thoughts to his family in these difficult times.

Hans Heren

Bob is one of the pioneers of Benin Station. We can never forget him.
That his soul rest in peace.

Francois Tosse

Bob was indeed a great colleague and an excellent professional.
May his soul rest peacefully.

Robert Asiedu

Very sad news!
He was very important in the technical and practical training that we received after the studies, with his rigor and his sense of work well done followed by proactivity. He is unforgettable.
May his soul rest in peace

Gontran Honfoga

​​An ode to my beloved Uncle Bob.

While growing up, I fondly enjoyed the company of my Uncle Osato. Yet, I learned I had
another Uncle, his brother, abroad, Germany, to be precise.
Eventually, we “met”, I marveled at his style. We,​ his nieces and nephews, ALL looked up to him. There was just some unique air around him.

Earlier periods, I knew him as Uncle Jide. But when I visited in Benin Republic, I teased him, calling him Monsieur Bob, as most people around called him. He would always carry out conversations with me in French whenever I so initiated (though yapping my street French, but I would in defense say, I had little or no chance to practice). Hmmmnnn.... C’est vrai Oncle? Vous avez parti?

He was one to encourage you to be the best version of you.

Modestly describing him in two words: DISCIPLINE & ADVENTURE, does anyone wanna
dispute this?

My husband and I pitched our honeymoon close to him at Hotel de la Plage. He took my daughter and along with my aburos, his children, swimming in the Atlantic waters and taught us the techniques to move with the waves. This gave me confidence to do same when I visited Manila.

When he learned about my interest in Naturopathy/ herbal remedies, himself being a staunch
practitioner of same, he not only encouraged me. He physically took me to herbal stores in
Cotonou and Lome, in order to show me where I could buy products for my herbal shop.
He gave me my first car - a cute Volkswagen which I repainted into a pastel yellow colour and
my hubby and I christened it “Rhema”.

Je vous manque, mon chèr Oncle

Space and time will not permit me to document our Ouidah pouponnière journeys... Phew!!

Though an internationally acclaimed Engineer, he was (did I just use past tense?? Lord have
mercy), a man of many parts with a magnanimous heart.

If you, reader, ever hear someone called, ‘lover of children’ and/or ‘lover of the less
priviledged’, you can be sure its my Uncle Bob that is being referred to.


My imaginary conversation with my Uncle, whom my children fondly call Grandpa Bob:

Me: Are you truly no longer with us?
Him: Yes Bukkie. I am resting. All is vanity. Keep up the good work of the Lord.

Bukola Soji-Taiwo

Old-timers like me will remember Bob in earlier days of the Biocontrol gang, and more recently, he was instrumental in resurrecting our old generator which was decommissioned by the former administration and left in the rain in Ibadan for several years. Bob was a great colleague, a professional engineer with a passion for details, always trying to find practical solutions to difficult problems.

He will always be remembered for his great heart, enthusiasm, and courage.
May his soul rest in peace.

Manu Tamo

Engineer Bob,

I met you during your second tour with IITA Benin. However, you were God-sent. A significant project and the success of taking over from AfricaRice would not have been possible without your expertise, counsel, and advice of an elder. I wish we had more time to talk about your love for farming, fishing, and Benin, but I guess it is time for you to take you to a place in the realm of angels.

Rest Well, Sir.

Sylvia Oyinlola

(He) was a very special person whom I greatly admired...

I remember when he recounted his studies in Germany, or his work on the drilling platforms in Nigeria, or when we celebrated and danced at the end of the year festivities at IITA Cotonou.

Bob had a full and happy life.

Peter Neuenschwander

It still feels like a dream you are gone to soon Uncle Bob. We are at loss for words and cannot express how we truly feel. “Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal” they say. We will always cherish the beautiful memories we have of you today and forever. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. We love you Uncle Bob and miss you always.

‘’Rotimi & Abiola

Uncle Bob,

It's taken me so much to write this tribute. It still feels so unreal. No words can express how great a man you were. You were a good man. Kind, hard-working, selfless, full of life...are some of the attributes that describe the life you lived.
I really do miss you, and I pray that you are happy wherever you are.

Thank you for all the amazing memories and support. You are loved and truly missed.

Good night, till we see again.

Leke Alade

Like so many I have very, very fond memories of Bob. For me he was the perfect combination of a very devoted and practical engineer, always eager to find a simple solution for supposedly complicated problems. And more so he was a very good friend and excellent colleague. Please convey my heartfelt condolences and best wishes to his family. He will always stay in our hearts.

Christian Borgemeister

Bob is a highly regarded former figure of IITA-Benin with fruitful collaborations.

Peace to his soul.

Gabriel Heviefo

I still cannot find the words to write a tribute since getting your email address from Dr. Tamo. I am still in shock.
Bob and I have come a long way, since our days at the Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro, Nigeria, in 1965-66, where I did my advanced level course.
I did not get to see him till 32 years later, in 1998.
My ten years at IITA-Benin were most memorable because of him. He was my first port of call. He always had my back and I always had his. I recall the days of the " Legba" attack at the PPS, our Works Department, when a big fetish, with a goat-head , on which had been generously sprinkled some fresh palm-oil , was dropped in front of his office, with some palm-fronds on his car as well. He ran to me and together we strategized to handle it in a diplomatic style, by involving the Nigerian Mission to Benin. Meanwhile, I gave him a temporary office in the Administration Office to facilitate his work and it took us two weeks to dislodge the attack, quite peacefully.
Bob was never daunted by challenges, be they engineering, technical or social. In fact he courted challenges and always came out swinging when so confronted. He was always reliable, however short the notice.
We remained in contact even after we had left Cotonou and I was extremely delighted to see him at my daughter's wedding in Abeokuta in 2016, with Adjua, his daughter. Little did I know that it would be for the last time.
I pray that the Good Lord grants him eternal rest and comforts the family he has left behind.
He will be sorely missed.

Paix à son âme.

Bisi Soboyejo

Sir Bob Akinwumi is a kind man. Thank you for your words of encouragement and advices during my college years. Thank you for extending financial assistance when we were in dire need of funds for my brain operation. Your monetary help and prayers of healing are greatly appreciated. Thank you touching the lives of many through your kindness and generosity. May your soul rest in peace. Thank you.

Engr. Nicole Tayo

He was Monsieur Bob to his staff at IITA but to us Nigerians who worked with him in a foreign land, he was papa Bob, our big brother.
He supported and guided us through some of the most challenging times of working in a foreign land, amist the different cultures, languages and the politics. He was a true friend, an elder states man who stood up for us when we needed a helping hand.
My relationship with Monsieur Bob grew steadily as I learned more about him. We shared some common experiences and I soon began to rely on his wisdom and seek his advise on many occasions.
Bob was an "open book", a straight shooter. Bob was always sincere with no apology and I respected his simple approach to life.
Bob left us a trail of good examples to follow, his kindness, love, compassion for others, joy and his faith in God inspired those who knew him.
I will miss him dearly. Each time I think back to the times we shared together, a smile crosses my face. He was a good man, a great friend and father.
May God wipe the tears from the eyes of his family members and replace it with wonderful memories... Amen!
May God bless the soul of my special friend, my mentor BOB AKINWUNMI, who gave such love and care willingly. AMEN...

Chiweta Onianwa

Dear daddy,
It has taken me weeks to process and to finally accept that you have gone to rest, Do I miss you? yes so much it hurts. Your laughter keeps ringing and I can still clearly see your face each time we talk on the phone or sit down to have a conversation, Daddy, like I fondly called you, you were the true definition of what a father should be called, so intentional and compassionate. Thank you for the years you loved me like your own, thank you for the years you opened your home to me, thank you for accepting me in totality and loving with no reservations.

Daddy, wish you had stayed a little longer, I was going to bring that bottle of wine.

I promise to keep making you proud. I promise to achieve all I told you when I was leaving Nigeria, I promise to be there always for your baby, Adjua, and I promise to still bring that wine when I come home.

Till that day, daddy, keep resting and laughing with the angels. You will forever be in my heart.

Damilola

Dear Uncle

It's hard to accept this sudden reality, everything seems like a temporary moment that I anxiously await to pass. I constantly play back all our conversations, jokes and arguments, hoping to find something I may have missed and wishing we spent more time before this rude shock.
Without a doubt you made me a better man and your impact in my life will outlive me.
I will forever miss you Uncle.

Love beyond words.

Niyi