In his lifetime, Primate (Dr) Emmanuel Omolaja Olorunwo had so many sons and daughters,both biological and adopted.
One of them was Architect (Chief) Tokunbo Omisore. He was very, very close to the Primate. The Primate took him as one of his sons. And he was a permanent fixture at Baba’s Annual Xmas Carol at his Lagos church. He usually reads one of the Bible lessons and he has done this for years.
He has just written his tribute revealing the Primate Olorunwo he knew. See the full details here.
Ba Adura Egbaland, Omolaja Aremu Olorunwo.
Your demise remains a shock, and at times I’m in denial. Yet, I recall our discussions towards your 85th-year celebration; l remember the strange hesitation; the excitement of adding another year was not there as it used to be on your previous birthdays, even for ages that were not milestones.
I met Ba Adura through my late mum towards the end of July in 1971. I was not as close to him initially, but our relationship developed over the years, perhaps because l became a resident at Ifako, Gbagada (1981 to 1990). His home was just a five-minute drive away.
I cannot but be grateful for his support and prayers at my chieftaincy celebration on the 29th, October 1998, when I was made the Akiyegun of Owu Egba and subsequently, a more significant role as the Ajisewa Egbaland on the 14th of September, 2011.
Ba Adura, as I often call him, was loving, patient, and caring to his family and to those of us he was close to. A man that allows you to be expressive without imposing himself on you, he never brought up me being a member of his church in conversations or decisions. However, I remember him encouraging most of us to be part of his yearly thanksgiving carol services, and l pray the family will uphold it. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 NKJV.
He believed and openly promoted the need to always give THANKS TO GOD. Ba Adura taught me the importance of giving thanks to God, and I am deeply appreciative. So, I thank God, I thank God for his life, and I thank God that even till death, he remained with no physical challenges. He remained strong and agile, and much witted. Ba Adura was a blessed man.
With no iota of doubt in me, I know he felt fulfilled by the number of lives he touched. I know this because those were his exact words when we engaged in conversations.
Ba Adura, you left when some of us least expected. I thought you would adopt the longevity on your mother’s side, as you used to say, but you followed in the footsteps of your father, who died about the same age or maybe slightly younger.
Ba Adura Olorunwo, though transitioned to the Great Beyond, you will forever remain institutionalized in our hearts. And may all those touched by your life continue your legacy of giving thanks to God and touching others. As you taught me, “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1 NKJV).
Ba Adura, Sun Re O
Ka gba fun Oluwa.
Chief ‘tokunbo Omisore, riba, fnia,haia, ppaua
Trustee, Past President Africa Union of Architects
Ajisewa Egbaland