In this my 11th tribute to my role model, Sir (Chief) Bode Akindele, (1933 to 2020), Parakoyi of Ibadanland, Baba Ijo, Methodist Cathedral Church, Agbeni, Ibadan and Chairman, MONDANDOLA GROUP (Nigeria and Overseas), I am dwelling on the virtues of the late successful industrialist, quiet philanthropist, patriot, culture enthusiast, connoisseur, etc, that I admired, and forever shall admire. May I humbly say that I share the virtues of Sir.
The title of this piece,”YIO DARA FUN MI” (IT WILL BE WELL WITH ME), is borrowed, as it were, because it is the title of a permanent song in the compilation of hymns rendered at the Sir (Chief) Bode Akindele-FRCN IBADAN ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROLS, held annually at his Alomaja, Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria home, where my humble self is on the Protocol List, even though I am a Muslim.
Sir’s values shared by me, include his humility, acumenism, patriotism, charity, punctuality, etiquette, simplicity, nattiness, humour, taste and friendliness.
Sir was formidable. He died in his Apapa, Lagos State home, on Monday, 29th June, last month, aged 87. May his noble and kind soul continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen.
Yoruba say, “Eniti a mba rin laajo, omo ti kinninhun ba bi, kininnhun ni yio jo .”(Lions of the same pride, hunt together.) As they say, pictures don’t lie….need I caption these four photographs of my late role model and my humble self? Seeing is believing.
