Sir Oluremi Omotoso's demise is deeply devastating. He was a mentor, a father,
and a forebear in many ways that I cannot write about him without reference to
my personal odyssey. He was undoubtedly one of the most prominent indigenes of
Ekiti state, Nigeria, with global renown and impact, who sadly died recently.
Like many people from Ekiti, even before the state was created out of
the old Ondo state in 1996, I grew up hearing stories from my late father about
what it meant to be an Ekiti person. Stories like that of Mr. Femi Adeoye, who
handed his son over to state government officials for flouting the ban on
interstate travel instituted in the wake of COVID 19. Sadly, there were more
Mr. Adeoyes then than now – principled men and women of Ekiti origin who were
called stubborn because of their integrity.
Thus, early in life I learnt to love all things Ekiti. When I heard on
radio sometime in 1999 that the socio-cultural association for Ekiti indigenes,
Ekiti Parapo, was holding meetings at the Ikeja Airport Hotel, I made up my
mind to attend. So, at 18 years old, I journeyed from Victoria Island to
Obafemi Awolowo Way Ikeja, once every month, if I remember correctly, to attend
Ekiti Parapo meetings as the youngest member. It was at these meetings I met
late Sir Omotoso, alongside Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Architect Fola
Alade, and many others. Under the guidance and mentorship of these legends I
gained my first experience serving Ekiti as a volunteer in the association’s
activities including the organisation of the reception held at the Club Arcade
in Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos Island, in honour of H.E. Otunba Niyi Adebayo, on
his ascension to office as the first civilian governor of the state in 1999.
It was rather unusual for a teenager to attend those meetings with
elders, and though I mostly listened and rarely spoke, I was always warmly
welcomed. Sir Omotoso especially took an interest in me because of the things
we had in common including hailing from the same hometown – Odo Ayedun, and
belonging to the Methodist Church Nigeria. Subsequently, I matriculated to study
Geography at the University of Ibadan, many years after Sir Omotoso graduated
from the same department. It seemed like every path I have walked, Sir Omotoso
had gone ahead of me. For these reasons, he was a role model and source of
inspiration, and a father figure more so since my father who was his friend
died in 2017.
As alumni of the same department at the University of Ibadan, I
consulted with him when I became president of the students’ association, and he
sent a representative Oloye Lekan Alabi to a departmental function he was
unable to attend in 2014. His achievements in the corporate world and his
admonitions provided assurances that there were diverse career options for
graduates of geography because we were trained to look at the world through the
lenses of place, space, and scale. His career as a boardroom titan demonstrated
understanding and proficiency in the application of geography’s domains of
synthesis to the private sector namely – environmental-societal dynamics
relating human action to the physical environment, environmental dynamics
linking physical systems, and human-societal dynamics linking economic, social,
and political systems.
As a Christian and member of the Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), he was
a true definition of an elder. While I was a nominal member of the MCN, he
frequently reminded me of my heritage being the grandson of Adeleye Silva, one
of the founders of the Methodist Church Cathedral of His Glory in Odo Ayedun,
which he served as Baba Ijo till he died. He was very involved in the local
affairs of the church, and on several occasions he personally called me to make
a contribution when the church needed funds for a project. Humble to a fault,
Sir Omotoso would personally call everyone associated with the church, old and
young, home and abroad, to raise funds and support for the church. He was the
critical link to many of us all over the world who did not have as much
connection to the administrative affairs of the local assembly.
Beyond Odo Ayedun, Sir Omotoso served the MCN movement nationally. He
was at a point the Lay President of the Conference, serving diligently with the
evangelistic fervour of John Wesley, before and after holding office. He
supported efforts of the clergy to reposition the church with dynamic and
resilient structures, as well as sustainable funding mechanisms, and was
central to the development of the 2006 constitution. He is credited with the
idea of adopting “Worthy is the Lamb” as Methodist Church of Nigeria’s slogan.
He brought his humane leadership and experience in the board room to bear in
advocating for better working conditions for church workers, including the
establishment of pension and housing schemes and other welfare programmes. He
served the church diligently with his time, talents, and resources.
As a community leader, Sir Omotoso was one of my guiding lights. I
consulted with him at every milestone in my public service career, and he was
always eager to offer his advice and support. In June 2014, when Governor
Fayemi lost his re-election bid, he was one of those who reached out to ask if
I needed any help reintegrating into the private sector. His offer was not one
to be taken for granted considering his influence on the boards of many
companies. He was impressed when I informed him that though I was not clear
what the future held at the time, I had decided to stay on with my boss because
I saw my role as crucial to his seamless transition into new endeavours.
What I found to be most instructive about Sir Omotoso was that he served
conscientiously although he needed nothing back from the community. He had zero
political aspirations nor partisan affiliations, yet had incredible staying
power, influence, and relevance in the state’s affairs, and was called upon to
serve administration after administration in different capacities. Being on a
different track having held political office in the past, Sir Omotoso’s
approach has always been a check to my motives and methods of engaging with the
community. I learnt from him that you should quietly make an impact in the
lives of people, not for political mileage or recognition, but simply because
you have been blessed by God and are able to be a blessing to others. The outpouring
of tributes and testimonials about Sir Omotoso, especially from our hometown,
is evidence that at the end of the day, people know the difference between
jobbers who see the people as merchandise, and those who truly serve.
His last message to me on facebook was “O kun o, Akin. Ma gbagbe wa
ni Cathedral of His Glory, MCN, Odo Ayedun-Ekiti. A proud legacy for you as
your grandfather was a co-founder. Great man indeed and you are following in
your family’s pedigree. So proud of you, with a promising future ahead of you.
Shalom.” I will have these words framed. Sir Omotoso served and excelled
on all fronts – a loving family man, an apostle in the marketplace, a community
leader and mentor, and most importantly a devout Christian. He has fought the
good fight. He has finished the race. He has kept the faith. He has left a
legacy, and very big shoes to fill. Indeed, Worthy is the Lamb, who blessed us
with Sir Oluremi Festus Omotoso, and has now taken him home.
May his memory be blessed.
Akin Rotimi
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