Layiwola Awoyode is gone

ON Thursday, 16 February, I was stunned when I saw on page 9 of that day’s copy of the Nigerian Tribune, a full page advert containing the obituary of my friend of many years ‘Layiwola Awoyode. I was so shocked that I momentarily lost my sanity. Inside the full page advert were the following facts. (1), ‘Layi had died on November 21, 2016. (I never heard of his death). (2) He was to be buried at Ile-Ife on Friday 17, February. ‘Layi  was from Ife town. He lived and played his politics at Ife. I did not believe all I was reading about Christopher OlayiwolaAwoyode.

Early in November 2016, ‘Layiwola had called me on phone, telling me the truth of our political existence. He had told me that the two of us were the only ones remaining of a group of five friends who were foundation members of the Papa Obafemi Awolowo  group when the Awo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was to be announced as a political party in 1978 (during the second republic). He had inquired into my health and had gone to the extent of telling me that he would arrange a doctor for me in Ibadan who would medically examine me and prescribe what could be the medical solution to my condition. It was a detailed and close discussion. He eventually passed away, few days after the encounter.

My friend, Olayiwola, died. And I never heard of his death. My body was shaking and vibrating as I read the news of Olayiwola’s death three months after he had passed on. (3) Worst of all for me, he was to be buried on 17, February after a funeral service at Christ Life Church Olaogun, Old Ife Road. I picked my MTN phone – where ‘Layi’s telephone is contained. I started to make calls to that number: I knew then that ‘Layiwola was no more. I was convinced however that someone would pick the phone and I would then ask why my friend should die without my being informed or told about the news. No one picked the phone and my misery and anxiety increased. It soon dawned on me however that my friend Christopher Olayiwola Awoyode had gone. Tears rolled down my eyes. ‘Layiwola was my friend and my political soul mate. As I mentioned earlier, we were five (who grouped together) in the late Papa Obafemi Awolowo political organisation in 70s.

The late Akin Omoboriowo led the group. Others were the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, the late Sunday Adebamgbe Akilaya, the late ‘Layiwola Awoyode and myself. We had formed the Nigerian Social Reformers Movement. Akin Omoboriowo who later became the Deputy Governor of old Ondo State was our Chairman. The late Lam Adesina who was a renowned secondary school principal and later the later the Executive Governor of Oyo State was first our Deputy Chairman (before he took over from me as the Secretary of the group). I was the National Secretary. Lamidi Adesina, aka “Lam Adesina” the search continues, was very vocal in the group. The group, Nigerian Social Reformers Movement, dissolved into the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) after the UPN’s formation Adebamgbe Akilaya was a popular journalist who was strong with his pen. Akilaya was from Ifaki-Ekiti and he emerged the Coordinating Press Secretary of the Papa Adekunle Ajasin led UPN government in old Ondo State.

The group was cohesive and the commitment of the group to Papa Obafemi Awolowo’s ideals and politics was firm and unbreakable. Lam Adesina wrote a column in Nigerian Tribune every week which he called “The Search Continues”. It was a powerfully written column that analysed every week the political events of that time. Now Lamidi (Lam) is no more! He died shortly after leaving office as governor of Oyo State.

Our group lost its closeness and strength after the events surrounding the withdrawal of Omoboriowo and Akilaya from the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) started to unfold. The rest is history. Of the five of us, now I am the only one alive. I now live with God as my father, and companion. Olayiwola who used to be with me is now dead. Olayiwola lived a disciplined Awoist life. He could read and recite Papa Awolowo’s creed of politics as if he were to be reading the Holy Bible. He never joked with his life as an Awo devotee.

It was never a surprise to anyone when Olayiwola Awoyode emerged as the Commissioner for Works and Transport in Uncle Bola Ige’s UPN government in old Oyo State after the election in 1978. Olayiwola never took the world in his mind. He did not see politics as a means to amassing wealth. He prided his life pattern on a rugged study and application of Awo’s ideals. Though, ‘Layi was 78 at the time he died, he never in his relationship with me exhibited that he was four years older than me. Death is a leveler for humanity. No matter who we are, and whatever we may be, all human beings must one day depart this world. We must all die.When one crosses the age of 70, one must have taken the boarding departure card of life. We enter the plane oflife whenever God decides to send us to the world of the immortals.

After the military had taken over power on 31, December 1983, my friend Olayiwola shifted his base to Ibadan. He died at Ibadan and I have no doubt in my mind that ‘Layi must have died with his Awoist connections uninterrupted with by anyone. Your life and discussions with Christopher Olayiwola Awoyode could only be meaningful when you do not remove them from what Papa ObafemiAwolowo had pronounced on such issues.

Olayiwola was ever of clear mind. Olayiwola (as I have mentioned earlier) never joked with his comrades.

He kept in touch with everyone until his death. I have mentioned how he had spoken to me very early in November 2016. Olayiwola lived and died an Awoist.

Part of the words written on Olayiwola’s obituary announcement include the following moving words:-

“Ours for a little while, with Jesus forever.

We miss you very much and love you dearly! We know our God is taking care of you!! You are for ever in our hearts!!!

Sun re O”.

I agree with all the above on Christopher OlayiwolaAwoyode.

Akin Omoboriowo is dead. AdebamgbeAkilaya is no more. LamidiAdesina has joined the Angels of God. And Olayiwola Awoyode has transformed mortality for immortality. Sooner or later, it will be Ebino’s time to move. We have all been Awoists. No one can take that from us. It is true that the old order changeth yielding place to new.

‘Layi Good-Night – Odigbose!

Your life was an inspiration to all!! Please sleep on till we meet in paradise to part no more!!! Rest in Peace.

EBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE)

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