•Details Of Their Tributes
The remains of Engr. Folarin Olufunmiso Doherty was interred last week in Lagos. It was a well attended event and a celebration of life of this prominent Lagosian who hails from the popular Doherty family. He died at 82.
The Service of Songs was held on Monday 12th December, 2022 at The Cathedral Church, Marina, Lagos, inside Ayo Rosiji Hall at 3.00pm. This was followed by Christian Wake Keep also at the same venue at 5.00pm.
Funeral Service took place on Tuesday 13th December, 2022 at the Cathedral Church, Marina, Lagos. This was followed by Interment at the Ikoyi Cemetary, Obalende. He was survived by his Wife, Children & Grandchildren, Sisters & Brothers, Nephews & Nieces.
They all described him as a good man who was selfless and there for everybody.
Lets tell you more about Engr. Folarin who was born on the 8th of October 1940 at Idumagbo Avenue, Lagos to Dr. Joseph Akanni Doherty, a medical doctor of great repute and Madam Morili Ayoka Doherty.
He attended St. Jude’s Primary School in Ebute Meta for his primary education. After completion, he proceeded to Ijebu-Ode Grammar School for his Secondary Education. At Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, he was known as a distinguished Grammarian and Sportsman. He was a great sportsman representing the school in football and athletics competitions in the Old Western region. He was involved in competitions like the Grier Cup, Ionian and Governor’s Cup. He was popularly known as Folly D and was an epitome of what Yorubas call ‘OMOLUABI’ due to his lifestyle of discipline and unalloyed loyalty to his friends and associates.
After finishing from Secondary School, he proceeded to the United Kingdom (UK) to further his education. In the UK, he attended Billingham Technical School and also Westminster College in Francis Street, Victoria Street, London for Advanced Level Qualifications. He was admitted into University of Surrey, England where he graduated with a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering. He worked as a pupil Engineer with RENDEL PALMER AND TRITTON CONSULTING ENGINEERS.
He returned to Nigeria in 1972 and was employed by Lagos Executive Development Board (LEDB) as a Civil Engineer. He was a resident Engineer for the construction of Lagos/Badagry Express Road, which was constructed by Julius Berger Construction Company. He resigned his appointment with LEDB in 1978 as a Principal Engineer to start his own Construction Company, Folad Construction and Engineers Limited, which was formed to ensure indigenous participation in the Nigerian infra structural development. The Company did lots of construction works both for Federal and Lagos State.
governments. Construction of Roads and Drains in Abesan and Iyana Ipaja, as well as in Ibereko in Badagry for the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, both areas being Housing Estates.
Many construction works carried out for Lagos State Government include World Bank Projects like the construction of Drainage Systems five (5) of which were reinforced concrete from Western Avenue to Babs Animashaun Street in Surulere. The dredging of many Canals in Lagos was also carried out. Folad Construction and Engineers Ltd. still retains a formidable presence today in the infrastructure and property development sector. He was a member of Eko Club and Lagos Island Club, where he made many life-long friends.
He was a proud member of the Cathedral Torch Bearers Society of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos. He joined the Society in 2001. He served this society diligently and meritoriously in various capacities before ascending to Chairmanship (2019-2021), where he left significant landmarks. It was during his tenure, for instance, that the Vicarage of Immanuel Anglican Church, Igboologun was completed by the Society and dedicated by the late Most Revd. Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye. His incumbency also witnessed significant focus of attention to the general welfare of the members. Below are the tributes of his wife and children.
Daddy, words are inadequate to speak about our loving relationship, spanning over 50 years. This is a celebration of JESUS CHRIST. Rest in Perfect Peace. Love. Mummy,
Mrs. Ore Doherty
Wife
MY FATHER, ‘THE
GREAT MAN’
My father was a great man not because of riches or anything like that. He was great because of the choices he made and his ability to be completely committed to what he believed in. He believed in family, friends, and always wanting to contribute to any cause he deemed important, (there were many of such).
I spent the last 11 years with him after a long stint in the UK, and through those years I came to understand the man he truly was. He convinced me to come back to Nigeria, and this was probably the best decision I ever made. He taught us a lot about being a Doherty, and the importance of a good name. He hated lies and would always ask for decisions to be made without sentiments, but being rather based on facts.
He was very good at understanding the genesis of a problem and was never in a hurry to make important decisions. He committed his life to people around him, to his numerous family members, and to protecting the legacy of his father before him. His wealth of knowledge came from his very vast experience and his genuine interest in his family and extended family. His working life was committed to trying to develop indigenous capacity and providing opportunities for people to work and support their families. In the 40 years that he ran his construction company, he never once used any foreigners in his work, always supporting local trade and developing young engineers and workers.
He was a true Lagosian and would always frown whenever I tell him I was working outside Lagos. He always said Lagos is the place to be. He was passionate about Nigeria and contributing to its wellbeing. His love for helping and contributing led him to joining the Torch Bearers Society of the Cathedral Church in his later years. He enjoyed his time with the Torch Bearers and his commitment to this Society was second to none. He also loved Eko Club and made a lot oflive-Iong friends at that Club.
Now that he is gone, it is clear why he was tough on us to be our best, and we now fully appreciate that he was preparing us for when he would no longer be here. He was a wonderful and committed father to us, and he worked so hard to make our lives easier. He left us a legacy of a good name, hard work, thinking about others and not just ourselves. And we pray that we can be half the father he was to us, to our children and keep his legacy alive. I love you Daddy; and I thank God for a life well spent.
Engr. Adetokunbo Doherty
Your Son,
In all things we are asked to THANK GOD. Daddy was a remarkable man, a rare gem, warm and kind hearted. He loved GOD, FAMILY, FRIENDS AND PRACTICALLY ANYONE WHO CROSSED HIS PATH. One unique feature of Daddy was that you didn’t even have to be biologically related to him, to get close to him. Daddy was an open book. He could meet a complete stranger in the course of daily life to talk with, and divulge personal information about himself, his family and friends in order to encourage the individual or group. He was kind to a fault. He spoke his mind and lived life with simplicity and candour.
All his life he served GOD through humanity. He was a generous man, who made a point of giving to those in need – the testimonies to which you’d be reading elsewhere. He would always say such and such a person needs help. Later on in life as age set in, he dedicated himself in full to the services of GOD through activities at the CATHEDRAL TORCH BEARERS where he served diligently; culminating in his being nominated and elected unopposed as the CHAIRMAN of the Society. He had the grace of being the Chairman for two (2) consecutive years and his tenure coincidentally was during his 80th Birthday, for which honour he was especially thankful to GOD.
Daddy was a family man to the core. He loved his family members on all sides regardless of creed/faith. He touched anyone who needed him with generosity of time, money, sound advice and putting in a word or two for the individual when and where they needed such. He would make a point of placing a call to anyone influential enough to help secure an appointment / a job offer / recommendation / to set up a business; you name it.
He made it a duty to honour invitations and social functions with his beautiful wife by his side. A good provider, he loved his children and grandchildren. He ran a good race! He LOVED GOD and served him diligently. He was involved in construction/building, contributing to opening of Anglican Churches and propagating the GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST.
He was a workaholic and enjoyed practicing his profession as a Civil/Structural Engineer. Building and construction was his passion till the very end. He also loved football and was a soccer star in Secondary School; UP JOGS! He was an Arsenal fan. I’m glad Arsenal finally got their act together this season and made him happy in the last year/season of his remarkable life. He mixed easily and was a peace maker, always settling disputes and trying to make people happy, he always said that we will all have to leave Mother Earth one day, so be prepared to meet your Maker. I PRAY GOD has mercy on his kind soul and that he rests with the LORD JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.
–Modele Doherty
Son
Dearest Daddy,
Words can’t begin to explain how I feel about your passing. The thought of even addressing you in the past tense will never sit well with me. You are the ultimate listener, the voice of reason in every situation, always willing to give the right advice. Daddy you loved unconditionally, gentle, brutally honest, God fearing and hard working. I appreciate every moment we spent together. I thank you for being the best Daddy that I could ever ask for. I’m continuously reminiscing about special moments we shared together. I wish I could see you underneath the mango tree (that I accidentally planted) that you enjoyed sitting
under to exercise and relax every morning.
You are a father to many with a vessel of kindness, generosity, understanding, support and caring for everybody. You served till your very last breath. To serve others is a privilege that you embraced dearly.
Daddy, ‘Okunrin Meta,’ you did it all. I am ever so proud of your achievements and I’m blessed to have you as my father. As myself and my siblings take on the mantle to continue your living legacy, I pray to God for strength and empowerment. I will continue to represent you in everything I do and I will always aim to do you proud.
You made me the man that I’m today and I pray to God to walk in your footsteps and become a herculean leader of men. I’m grateful that I was able to tell you that you are my hero, my legend, the man that inspires me for greatness! Rest in Power, Daddy and I know you are in a better place; smiling and being your usual BIG, friendly character. We might have lost you in the physical body but we have gained a guardian angel that is watching over us. As you always said …. God knows best!
Love always
–Olawale Doherty
Your Son,
