By Adeyinka Adeniran
It was an emotional atmosphere as friends, family members and associates of the late President of Omo Ajorosun Club, Ibadan, Akinpelu Adeniji pour out emotional tribute in honor of the deceased.
The event tagged “Night of Tribute”, held at the main hall of the Club House was attended by the Senator representing Oyo South District, Sharafadeen Alli, the Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oloye Lekan Alabi, past presidents, Acting President, leaders, family among other dignitaries.
The dignitaries who were full of glowing and kinds words for the late President also seized the opportunity to appeal to members to take a cue and learn from the humble lifestyle of Adeniji.
Speaking, Senator Alli, who was also a former President of the club described the deceased as an important member who relates well with everyone irrespective of age or status which made him well loved by all.
Noting that all members of the club, friends and associate would miss the late Chevron Engineer, Alli said the vacuum created by the death will be difficult to be filled by anyone else.
An Ibadan chieftain, the Maye Olubadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi said although, it was not traditionally right for an elder to attend the burial rites of someone younger, he said he felt obliged to honor the late Adeniji for his forthrightness, humility, respect for culture and even elders.
The Acting President, Mogaji Moshood Akere in his welcome address said the Club can only be grateful to God for the life of the late President adding that the incident is a reminder to everyone to be mindful of how they live their lives.
In his short exhortation at the event, Reverend Sanmi Adetule speaking on the theme “Life is brief” urged the people at the event to be mindful of the way they live their lives , noting that life is not just about amassing wealth but how many people one impacts.
He noted that, no matter how long anyone may, it must be with the knowledge of the life thereafter saying “whether we spend 100 or 150 years or less on earth, the question we will be asked is: how did you spend it? It is not how long but how impactful. You will give account of how you live and impacted on people around you and not necessarily how long you live.
“What are you doing for other people around you? What impact are you having on people around you? This situation is a lesson forbus all because we will give account of how we lived our lives and how we impacted on people. It is a brief time here but the impact is what will be recorded for us, just like we have all been commended our late brother for doing while he was alive.”
In their separate tributes, the immediate Past President, Solomon Babalola, Engr Abiodun Bello, Alhaji Wasiu Emiola, Arch Emmanuel Kolade and Chief Bayo Oyeleke all lauded the deceased for his humility, teamspirit, leadership prowess, commitment, kindness among other worthy virtues that must be emulated by all and sundry.
Responding on behalf of the deceased family, the Baale of Alapafan family, Elder Moses Adebimpe commended the Club for standing up and showing love to the late member, adding however that the family is counting on God to help heal the pain and hurt caused by the death.
Reacting, the Chairman, Organising Committee, Dr Olugabde Omotajo said the impact made by late Adeniji on the club and members cannot be wished away even in death.
He commended the members and family for showing so much love adding that people must learn to live impactful lives on others as that virtue of the deceased attracted many both old and young from far and near to attend the tribute.
The Nation reports that Engr. Akinpelu Solomon Adeniji won election as the 22nd President of Omo Aj’orosun Club in October 2023. He was sworn-in in December but could not live to serve his term.
It was gathered that the late President had “been nursing some health issues which invariably and unfortunately culminated in his death at the age of 66years. He was a retired Chevron engineer”, a source told Corenews
