•Why They Would Miss Him
Chief Jide Odekunle, the former General Manager of Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency, who died in his mid-50s, maybe dead, but there is, no doubt, that he would surely be missed not only by his wife of over 20 years, Mrs Bunmi Odekunle but his friends of many years, who haven’t stopped talking about him since he breathed his last.
Scooby as he was fondly called, kept all his old friends and never let there be distance from them. His belonging to over 20 social clubs has also made him have chains of friends, who are also super-rich like him and also influential. The late Otuns Bobagunwa of Egbaland belonged to many imperial clubs in Nigeria. His name could open many doors and many of his friends call him a “bridge-builder’. One could call him a tree with many branches.
Mention any super-rich South-West Big Boy who doesn’t know the late Chief Jide Odekunke and we would tell you that the fellow is just rich and not influential. The late Chief Jide Odekunle was an embodiment of “Grace”.
Chief Jide Odekunke may be a socialite as he is blessed with character, generosity, cool mien and panache. He is one socialite who doesn’t do hanky panky. He is trusted, liked and admire by many.
This is one of the reasons many of his friends have gone to the new page on Facebook “ forever missed you” to pen emotional messages about the deceased plus what they would miss about him.
One super-rich big boy, who will miss Otunba Jide Odekunke so much is his friend of over 30 years, Otunba Lekan Osifeso. He is a Construction giant and they always attended parties together. They acted like twins till he died. They loved each other to the bone and never joked with each other. Ever since the late Odekunle breathed his last, Otunba Lekan Osifeso has been mourning a friend turned brother. They are both super-rich and highly connected. Otunba Osifeso and the late Chief Jide Odekunle also had friends in common. He would surely missed his twinnie of over 20 years.
It was through Otunba Lekan Osifeso that the late Chief Jide Odekunle met Gaso Furniture boss, Ganiyu Sokunbi, in Ibadan. Gaso and Scooby had been friends for over 15 years and were still counting. Just a few months ago, when Gaso got a big title from Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamoru Animashaun, the late Jide Odekunle was all there. He spent over 8 hours at the event. There is no doubt that Gaso has lost a good friend.
Another super rich big boy, who is Otunba Scoobys friend, who will miss him so much, is Alhaji Bashiru Kuti (Bashy). The Ibadan socialite and celebrity designer is his friend and designer. He designed everything that Scooby wore. Yes, he designed all the trendy, stylish agbada rocked by Scooby. He had been designing for him for over 15 years and still counting. There is no doubt that “BKK Ultimo” has lost a client, a friend and a brother.
Another close friend of the late Otunba Jide Odekunle, who has metamophosed into his brother is Dele Bankole of Overage Energy Oil & Gas. He is a member of the late Otunba Jide Odekunle’s inner caucus. He would surely miss his late friend and brother.
What about Tayo Alakiu? Tayo Alakiu and the late Jide Odekunke belonged to the same social clubs in Lagos. They were very close too and he would surely miss him.
Not many know that Otunba Bimbo Ashiru and the late Chief Jide Odekunke were very close until his death. They grew up together and always caught up anytime anyway. He would surely miss him as he has gone to pen emotional message about his friend and has also given his wife, Bunmi, a phone call.
Did we tell you that Chief Jide Odekunke had an older clique of friends like Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo. Kabiyesi and others would surely miss their his younger friend. He had been the Oba’s younger friend even before he became the king. This is one of the many reasons why he made him a Chief.
Chief Alani Opaleye would Miss Otunba Jide Odekunle. He is an elder friend of the late Otunba Jide Odekunke. He is a leader “Baba awon Boys”. He is the Ceo of XL Insurance Broker Ltd, Anthony Village, Lagos. So also is NNPC’s big boy, Jide Ogunleye.
The late Otunba Jide Odekunke may be based in Lagos, but he had chains of friends who are rich in Ibadan aside BKK Uktimo, and Alhaji Bashy Kuti. Among them are Jide Alao and Gbenga Obembe.
Do you know Femi Ambode and the late Jide Odekunle were so close too? The late Jide Odekunle was very close to the younger brother of the former Governor of Lagos State.
– Abiola Orisile
