By Raheem Akingbolu
Death leaves us so helpless and impotent. It sparks the consciousness in us about the seeming nothingness of the world. In some extreme cases, some mortals often ask, albeit spontaneously if life itself is not a scam. Yes, it’s incontrovertible that death will be the ultimate end of everybody. But some deaths are difficult to explain. Currently, it’s a scourge of death in Aramoko, the place of my birth. The ancient town is currently in a mournful state. Within ten days, Aramoko has lost three of her illustrious ones.
First, it was the announcement on Arasurmit Whatshap platform that Egbon Akingboyega Okere, slumped in Lagos and died. He was 61. Few days later, a former President of Aramoko Development Association, Dr. Dipo Aladeloye dropped a terse but disturbing message about the sudden death of a promising young lady, Kemi, an Abuja based Chartered Accountant daughter of Mr & Mrs Thomas Fameso . Kemi died after childbirth. Growing up in Aramoko Ekiti in the 80s, Akin Okere’s name always evoked strong feelings among students in the two secondary schools in the town then.
Egbon was in the first 11 of Alamoye Comprehensive High School football team, and he was one of the best on the field for 100 metres, 200 metres, and 4 × 100 metres relay. For us at the District Commercial Secondary School and other schools in Ekiti West, Akin Okere was always a thorn in our flesh. That was where my knowledge about him ended until last week when his death was announced.
For the young brilliant lady in Abuja, I didn’t know much about her but his father, Thomas Fameso, a retired Director in one of the Federal Ministries is one of the shining stars in our Isasa Quarters. We were still mourning the two deaths when our political Iroko fell. Akin Oluwadare Snr., obviously one of the most colourful politicians Aramoko has ever produced, died unexpectedly. He was 63. His death sure makes mockery of life and of all achievements.
It was a tragedy not prepared for. With it, I have come to realise that indeed death puts a finality to existence and ceases all possibilities. Akin Oluwadare gave himself to Aramoko and Ekiti even at his own expense. Akin was quick-witted and humorous. No conversation with him was ever boring. Akin, a graduate of Philosophy from the then Obafemi Awolowo University (now Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti), was a factory of ideas, a rare productive thinker.
But it was the sincerity and the satirical fervour with which he delivered biting critiques and insights on Aramoko and Ekiti affairs that won him many fans from different organisations and political camp At 38, he was Chairman of Ekiti West Local Government between 1999 and 2002. A very intelligent and firm leader, Akin served as chairman and worked to demonstrate in practical terms the beauty of Local Government autonomy. He won under the umbrella of the Alliance for Democracy.
Before he was sworn in, naysayers had concluded that it would be difficult for him to perform in office because of the unequal composition of the legislative arm. His party, AD, had 3 councillors while the People Democratic Party PDP had 8. To worsen the situation, the councillor of his ward, Hon. Rufai Shitu, a shrewd upcoming politician of the era, was also a PDP councillor.
Interestingly, Hon Shitu and Akin Oluwadare shared the same family ties and this was the first magic wand that worked for the brilliant chairman.Akin Oluwadare, a focused and ebullient politician, went into office with precision. He knew what he wanted and knew how to get it. He was frank in telling the legislators that they were all brothers from the same local government and that history would not forgive them if they failed.
He laid down his plans and sought their cooperation. Unlike many politicians, he knew his boundaries and didn’t lord himself over them. He showed them respect and allowed them to exercise their political right as enshrined in the constitution. In the end, it became a win-win situation for both parties. As Chairman, Oluwadare touched lives and impacted all the communities. The news was everywhere that a certain Akin Oluwadare was performing wonder against all odds at Ekiti West.
His boss, former Governor Niyi Adebayo was proud of him and was always happy to use Akin as a case study while addressing other local government chiefs. As one of those that were then being referred to as Adebayo boys, including the current governor, Abiodun Oyebanji and Akogun Bunmi Ogunleye, Rt Hon. Karonwi Oladapo and others, Akin Oluwadare was in class of his own. Give him any task and he would make success out of it. At the end of his term, Adebayo still had one year more, he didn’t hesitate in beckoning on Akin to come and serve in his cabinet as Special Adviser on Political Affairs .
When Adebayo lost the 2003 election to former Governor Ayodele Fayose, the leaders of the party, who were already in love and had confidence in Oluwadare’s competence pushed him to fill one of the South West vacant seats in AD’s national executive council.
Between then and now, the communities he served have demonstrated through many ways that they were appreciative of his huge contributions. Despite his reluctance to accept honorary titles and awards, he accepted the offer by the Ido-Ile community to make him Otunba in honour of his then Vice Chairman, who hailed from the town.
A few years ago, it was the turn of his lineage to produce the Saribi of Aramoko Ekiti and the pendulum swung again. The elders and youths in the family unanimously agreed that he was their best and must accept the offer to become the new Saribi of Aramoko Ekiti. To the elites in Aramoko, his acceptance was seen as a victory over mediocrity.
Till he breathed his last a few days ago, he deplored all his experiences from public service to light up the community as High Chief Saribi.I am personally distressed beyond comforting by the gut-wrenching news of his death because it is an inconsolable personal loss to me. It will take a long time for me to come to terms with this tragedy. In 1993, when he lost his first wife, Aunty Lola and there was a need for someone to live with him in Akure. He didn’t look far before settling for me. I was in the village then, awaiting University Admission.
His younger brother, Akin Oluwadare Jnr and his close friend, Egbon Tajudeen Folorunso Ali, were my mentors, who were always drumming the need for university education in my ears. I didn’t know that Akin Snr. was watching me each time he was around and I came to the younger Akin for preparatory lessons for university education. However, when his wife died, he concluded and told his late mum and Akin Jnr that it should be either Raheem or nobody that should come with him to Akure. Interestingly, my late father also liked him and saw in him a promising young man who would impact me positively.
He gave his nod without any hassle. A few months later, I secured university addmission and left Akure. The rest is history. My regret: I had the opportunity to have what perhaps would have been the last encounter with Otunba last Sunday, but I didn’t notice. I was in Ekiti with a senior editor from Lagos to interview the Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaiye. We needed to charge our phones before heading to Iyin and we contacted my younger brother, Hon Tajudeen Akingbolu who is also one of the late politician’s political mentees and he asked us to come to his Law firm to charge the phones.
On arrival, he told us he was only waiting for us as he was about to go to his leader Otunba Oluwadare, who had just successfully carried out a surgery. Much as I would have loved to join him, our appointment with the monarch was already approaching. We charged our phones for an hour or so and headed to Iyin, while he left to see Chief Oluwadare. Immediately after we finished the interview, I called him to ask after our Egbon and he said he was doin well. In fact, I was hearing Otunba’s voice in the background. I was relieved. That is by the way.
Though he lost his father, an Anglican Priest, Morakinyo Oluwadare in 1969, when he was just seven year old, Otunba Oluwadare was blessed with a good mother and dutiful siblings who wanted the best for one another. As a young boy, Akin Snr. assured his mother that he would be there for her and his younger ones.
He played that role till the end. Akin Oluwadare Jnr. a senior Lagos banker, author and leadership coach is enough proof that Akin Snr is not only a role model but a mentor extraordinaire. From the first day Akin Jnr stepped his foot into secondary school, Akin Snr had told him he would become an accountant and he tailored him through that path until he reached the peak of the profession.
utside the Oluwadare clan, Akin’s penchant for mentorship spread across many families and towns. It’s common today to hear politicians climb the political podium to announce that their reason for seeking political office is to further service their people and communities. The late Akin is one of the few politicians I have seen, who was sincere with such pronouncement.
As I write this, I can list at least 50 individuals who secured employment through Akin Oluwadare snr, both within private and public sectors. To his credit, many young graduates of Ekiti West origin, who were roaming the streets of Kano, Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt were invited to Ekiti and join the state and local government services. Today, many of them have reached the directorate levels.
Despite all these, Chief Akin Oluwadare is gone. We have simply been decapitated. In Aramoko, our strength as a political entity is diminished by half. Every death of a promising and illustrious avatar provokes unrestrained agony in us, all.
One reason for this is that once a person dies, such a person can never be replaced. Everything that makes that person unique has been swallowed up by eternity.
Akin Oluwadre has surely joined the leagues of those prominent beings who left with indelible marks.
It will take a long time for Ekiti to forget him. Rest on our leader and mentor.
