14-08 2020 14:02
wrote:
Rear-Admiral OLUFEMI OLUMIDE, mni, was a friend like a twin-brother! Femi and I have been close friends for nearly 50years – so also his wife Adeola and my late wife Olufunso and all of our children.
Those very close to him will agree that he was an embodiment of many starling qualities – charming, humble, patriotic, painstaking, Engineer, Naval officer, farmer, dedicated family man, a humorous and brilliant gentleman!
Let me mention just three memorable events of our unforgettable relationship:-
i) He invited me to be one of his 6-men confidants with whom he held weekly meetings to discuss and advise him re his portfolio (Works and Transport) in Generals Yakubu Gowon’s and Murtala Mohammed’s cabinets in the 1970s. His confidants included his senior brother – Prof. Afolabi Olumide, his classmate, Chief Olu Falae, Dr. Femi Pearse and my humble self etc.
ii) He placed Ijebu-Igbo, my home town, on the present Ishara-Ago Iwoye-Ijebu-Igbo-Gbongan-Osogbo Federal road-network and yet to be constructed Ijebu-Igbo to Ondo town road map of Nigeria.
iii) The late Rear-Admiral Olumide cheerfully served as Chairman at my daughter, Barrister/Rev. Ireti Ogunkanmi’s Wedding Reception in Lagos in May, 1987 and at her own daughter’s (Bolatito Ogunkanmi) Wedding Reception in Abuja in March, 2020 – our last joint outing together!
Apart from Femi’s widow, Adeola, children and immediate family members, I share my grief and fond memory of him with all of our 1979/80 ‘SEC ONE’ course mates at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, especially, His Excellency, President Ibrahim Babangida, His Highness Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe - the Obi of Onitsha, Gen. David Jemibewon, Gen. Zamani Lekwot, R-Admiral Okujagu, Hon. J. Keazor, Chief Amu and Prof. Omoruyi, etc etc. I also salute His Excellency Gen. Gowon, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and His Highness, the Alake of Egbaland, whose paths blended with his own one time or the other.
“Sun re o, Árógúnmasa,
Lékeléke gbàrà dá
Ọmọ kèmtá Òkè-Ìjìgbò”.
14-08 2020 14:02
wrote:
Rear-Admiral OLUFEMI OLUMIDE, mni, was a friend like a twin-brother! Femi and I have been close friends for nearly 50years – so also his wife Adeola and my late wife Olufunso and all of our children.
Those very close to him will agree that he was an embodiment of many starling qualities – charming, humble, patriotic, painstaking, Engineer, Naval officer, farmer, dedicated family man, a humorous and brilliant gentleman!
Let me mention just three memorable events of our unforgettable relationship:-
i) He invited me to be one of his 6-men confidants with whom he held weekly meetings to discuss and advise him re his portfolio (Works and Transport) in Generals Yakubu Gowon’s and Murtala Mohammed’s cabinets in the 1970s. His confidants included his senior brother – Prof. Afolabi Olumide, his classmate, Chief Olu Falae, Dr. Femi Pearse and my humble self etc.
ii) He placed Ijebu-Igbo, my home town, on the present Ishara-Ago Iwoye-Ijebu-Igbo-Gbongan-Osogbo Federal road-network and yet to be constructed Ijebu-Igbo to Ondo town road map of Nigeria.
iii) The late Rear-Admiral Olumide cheerfully served as Chairman at my daughter, Barrister/Rev. Ireti Ogunkanmi’s Wedding Reception in Lagos in May, 1987 and at her own daughter’s (Bolatito Ogunkanmi) Wedding Reception in Abuja in March, 2020 – our last joint outing together!
Apart from Femi’s widow, Adeola, children and immediate family members, I share my grief and fond memory of him with all of our 1979/80 ‘SEC ONE’ course mates at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, especially, His Excellency, President Ibrahim Babangida, His Highness Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe - the Obi of Onitsha, Gen. David Jemibewon, Gen. Zamani Lekwot, R-Admiral Okujagu, Hon. J. Keazor, Chief Amu and Prof. Omoruyi, etc etc. I also salute His Excellency Gen. Gowon, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and His Highness, the Alake of Egbaland, whose paths blended with his own one time or the other.
“Sun re o, Árógúnmasa,
Lékeléke gbàrà dá
Ọmọ kèmtá Òkè-Ìjìgbò”.
