Last Friday, 30th October, 2020 the remains of Sir John Oluyemi Afolabi (KSM) was laid to rest in Lagos after a service at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Gbaja, Surulere, Lagos. He was 64. It was a Requiem Mass.
The burial began a day before on the 29th October, 2020 with a Christian Wake Keep at Surulere Local Government, Lagos and on the 30th October, 2020, there was Lying-In-State at 25, James Robertson Street, Surulere, Lagos.
Interment was at Ikoyi Cemetery. He was survived by Mrs. Opeyemi Afolabi (wife), Adefunke Jeje (daughter), Omolara Afolabi (daughter), Olufemi Afolabi (son), Mrs. Modupe Odusoga (sister), Olufemi Jeje (son-in-law).
Sir John Oluyomi Afolabi was born on the 14th day of April, 1956 in Lagos to the family of the late Pa. Paul Owoade Afolabi and Mama. Juliet Adefunke Afolabi was the last child of five children. [Four boys and a girl].
Afo baby or baby Afo as he was fondly called, attended Christ Church Cathedral School, Broad Street, Lagos between 1962-1968 for his primary school education. He then proceeded to Loyola College Ibadan between 1969-1974 for his secondary school education and later Methodist Boy’s High School Lagos between 1974-197!
After this, he worked briefly with the Civil Service with his office at the Independence building, Race Course, Lagos before travelling to the United Kingdom in 1979 to further his education. In the UK, he attended Greenwich School of Management (GSoM) London between 1979-1983.
While abroad, he associated himself with the farmers community in Surrey, to develop his farming skills.
An extrovert, Afo baby lived in 15 Eastdown Park road London and was popular in the neighborhood from where he encouraged some of his friends in Nigeria to come over to UK for the improvement of their education.
On his return to Nigeria, young baby Afo had his NYSC in Lagos, before he took over the management of Afolabi Farms Nigeria Limited, located in Iseyin, Oyo State. This family-owned industrialized farm was into Agricultural produces, Piggery and Poultry products including the production of poultry feeds.
On the. 5th day of November, 1988, he married the love of his life, Mrs. Felicia Opeyemi Afolabi {nee Shogaolu in Lagos and the marriage is blessed with 3 children: Mrs. Adefunke Jeje, Barr. Omolara Afolabi and Mr. Oluwafemi Afolabi.
In 1990, he ventured into printing and publication which entailed his shuttling between the farm in Oyo and the press in Lagos.
He later joined partisan politics in his home town of Oyo, and contested elections into the Federal House of Representatives at various times.
He was a devout Christian. He served his creator and the Catholic Church with his all. He was an active member of St Anthony’s Catholic Church Gbaja Suru-Lere, Lagos and Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Cathedral, Asogo, Oyo. In the Church, he was a member of various societies such as St. Anthony’s Guild, Oyo Diocese, SS. Peter and Paul Society, Gbaja, Young Men and Ladies Relief Society, Lagos, Sacred Heart Society Lagos and Oyo. In 2002, he was inaugurated into the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) where he was an active member and rose to become a 4th degree knight in 2018.
On the social scene, he was a member of Oyo Patriots Club.
Afo baby the politician, was well known to all and sundry and loved by many in Oyo town.
He was an active member of Loyola College Ibadan Old Boys Association (LOCOBA) and also of his set and at some point, the Public Relations Officer of the latter.
Afo baby was a family man to the core. He loved and gave great time to his wife and children. He always took out time to look out for his extended family and friends as well.
TRIBUTES
TRIBUTE TO MY HUSBAND
Yomi, your death that fateful Sunday evening, 11th October, 2020 was very shocking and painful and still very difficult to come to terms with. Why! Because you were in high spirits that very day, we spoke for more than three times that day before the incident, you communicated with so many relatives and friends that same day. Was it that you were preparing us all that you will soon leave? All these and many more questions are still on my mind.
I give glory to God Almighty that our path crossed in the year 1984 and we got married on the 5th of November 1988 and God crowned our union with three 3 adorable children: Adefunke, Omolara and Oluwafemi, like other marriages, we had our ups and down but I thank God we reconciled long before our children left University.
To gladden our hearts, we were able to give our first daughter in marriage together, that love we shared together till the evening of Sunday the 11th October. Yomi, you lived your life to the fullest, you gave so much to the world despite your health challenges. You loved just not your family members but all humanity as a whole. You never joked with the Afolabi Descendants Union both in Lagos and Oyo. To all Societies and Associations, You belonged to, you were always ready to serve. Yomi, I never knew you were bidding my relatives and friends goodbye on my last birthday on the 3rd of September, 2020 when we all celebrated together.
I thank God that you were able to see the children through University, Just waiting for them to settle one after the other but who am I to question God when he says you should come back home. Your exit is painful, because you left some of our discussions, plans and arrangements unfulfilled. Your children will miss you dearly, I will surely miss you too. A o pade lese Jesu, nibiti a ko ni ya ara wa, ao rira wa, ayo mora wa, Jesu ni o se Alaga wa.
Sleep well my love.
Adieu Yomi.
Mrs. Felicia Opeyemi Afolabi (Wife)
TRIBUTE TO MY DADDY
Baba Funke,
As I always called you. This wasn’t the plan. You were meant to grow old daddy, have grey hairs, see your children’s children. You didn’t wait to see the grandchildren you always prayed for. I promise to tell them all about you. ‘
Daddy, you are Love! I won’t talk about you in the past. We share a special bond. From my Unilag days till the day you breathed your last, no morning ever went without you calling to pray for me. We spoke every minute. I mean, to know me is to know my father. I proudly always said God must love me a lot to have blessed me with a father like you. I have really fond memories of you. Memories that will forever be in my heart.
You always said I was your ‘mama’. I hope I took care of you. I hope you know how much I love you and what you mean to me. Thank you for being my safe place. There was nothing we couldn’t talk about.
I’m yet to meet a man so invested in the life of his children like you are. All you ever wanted was to see us graduate and be happy. I’m glad you saw this. I always say if I can be half the parent you are, my kids are in good hands.
Baa’mi, you are the epitome of faith, selflessness, peace, love, happiness, goodness. A people’s person!!
Even when it wasn’t convenient for you, you gave. You just wanted everyone around you happy. You opened your doors to everyone, knew all our friends, kept in touch with them. I still wonder how you could be there for everyone.
I don’t know how I would cope, daddy. It’s very hard. I would run to you every time. You knew when there was something wrong with me from my voice. I don’t think I ever had any small achievements with you, everything was a big win. I hope I continue to make you proud.
Thank you would never be enough but Thank you for being my father. Thank you for loving me perfectly.
Thank you for instilling such values in me. Thank you for teaching me to give without expecting. Thank you for teaching me to forgive easily. Thank you for teaching me humility. I learnt all these just by watching you.
Above all, Thank you for always being there for us.
Heaven gained a real one. I miss your cooking, hugs, voice, call, gist. I would talk to you in my dreams. You will never be forgotten Daddy. I love you today and always Baba Funke.
I promise to be strong. I would take care of mummy, Lara and Femi. I would always check on those you loved both in Lagos and Oyo.
Sun re Baa’mi.
Adefunke Jeje
Daughter
TRIBUTE TO MY DADDY
My daddy, words really can’t express how immeasurable of a man you are. Your love for everyone around you was something I could not understand, you put everyone else before yourself. In everything, you placed God first and I remember how you made prayer a thing for us. You were our Chef, always cooking and wanting to feed everyone. I remember in university when you always brought jollof rice every Sunday afternoon, my roommates were always looking forward to it. You were not perfect, but you were the perfect dad. We didn’t agree on so many things but you taught me a whole lot.
I remain grateful for everything you did, for all the times you would call me one million times in a day just to check on me. You were kind even till your last hour. You are gone now but not forgotten, I know you are resting with the angels, till we meet to part no more. Baby Afo, I love you always. Sun reo!!!!
Your daughter,
Omolara Afolabi
TRIBUTE TO MY DADDY
I don’t have the words to express how I really feel, never knew you would leave us so suddenly. I was with you when you breathed your last. You were such a good, peaceful, courageous and resourceful man, you advised me and did your best to provide for my siblings and I. I never questioned if you loved or cared for us because you made it so obvious. You tried your best in helping people far and near, I know you are watching over us all. I am saddened that death took you away, but God said in all things we should give him thanks. Your death left a scar in our hearts but your legacy will stand in our life forever. Goodbye Dad, you will be terribly missed.
Your son,
Afolabi Olufemi
