•What LAGOS Governor Will Miss About Him
•What His Wife Said About Him
Until his gruesome death on 29th July 2022, he was one of Lagos Governor, Sanwo-Olu’s Special Assistants.
On Tuesday 9th August 2022, the Service of Songs/Night of Tribute was held for the late Omotayo Olalekan Sanyaolu at 10 Degrees Events Centre, Oregun in Lagos. Until his death, he was the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tertiary Education, Youth.
The late Mr Omotayo Olalekan Sanyaolu, the last of 4 (Four) siblings, was born in Lagos, on the 8th of April 1977, to the late Mr Edward Olajide Sanyaolu and Mrs Josephine Oyinbo Sanyaolu. His late father hailed from Oke-Ona, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, whilst his mother is from the Anene family of Oba, in Anambra State.
In his early childhood, he attended Command Children School, Military Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos, then Command Day Secondary School, Military Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos. After his secondary school education, he gained admission to the University of Ibadan from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography.
Upon graduating from the University of Ibadan in 2004, Omotayo served in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme from March 2005 to February 2006, where he was deployed to the National Population Commission (NPC), Abuja. Tayo had a flair for business, and so after completing his NYSC, he took up employment with a company called Estate Interest Nigeria Limited where he was the Procurement Manager from October 2007 to October 2009.
Thereafter, he secured employment with Wimpey Homes Nigeria Limited, where he was also the Procurement Manager.
All the while Tayo was in employment, he was also participating in politics which he enjoyed very much.
He was a member and Co-Founder of the Young Achievers Campaign Organisation of Nigeria (YACOON), and in 2014 he was appointed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leader in Lagos State. Tayo was a committed and loyal party member and was eventually appointed a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Tertiary Education, Youth and Student Affairs to Governor Sanwo-Olu, a position he occupied until his passing away.
Omotayo got married to his darling wife, Cynthia in 2009. Their marriage was blessed with 2 (two) lovely children: Babajide and Ayobami.
“T Boy” or “Omo T” as he was fondly called by friends and family, was very sociable and extremely popular amongst his friends. He was gentle, soft-spoken and slow to anger. Tayo was a committed family man and always made out time to seek out family members. He was deeply loved in the family, and the children in the family were especially fond of Tayo because he loved children and you would regularly find him playing with them at family functions.
Omo T, was snatched away unexpectedly and abruptly in the early hours of Friday, 29th July 2022. He is survived by his wife, 2 (two) children, siblings and an aged mother. Tayo will be sorely missed in the family.
WHAT GOV. SANWO OLU SAID ABOUT HIM
“It is with immense sadness. that I learnt about the demise of your dear husband, Mr Omolayo Ololekan Sanyaolu, a very well respected and valued member of my administration, who went to be with the Lord, on Friday, July 29, 2022. On behalf of my wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, myself, and the entire Lagos State Government, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the entire Sanyaolu family.
Tayo, who until his death, was my Senior Special Assistant on Tertiary Education, Youth and Student Affairs, as well as the immediate post-APC Youth Leader in Lagos State, was a completely selfless, humble, dedicated, and loyal individual.
In the wake of his passing, I have been privileged to hear many great testimonials about Tayo, all speaking to his altruistic, self-effacing, and good-natured personality.
Indeed, his passing is not just a huge loss to me personally, but to many young lives, he touched during his time as a youth leader, as well as the many students he impacted in our various Lagos State Tertiary Institutions.
The demise of a loved one is a traumatic experience, and it is impossible to find appropriate words that could offer comfort and express our feelings at this most difficult time. However, we must give thanks to the Almighty God that Tayo lived a great, purposeful and impactful life, and by so doing draw strength from his bearing and fortitude.
At times like this, we will not mourn as others who have no hope but will look unto God, our creator, for strength and grace. I urge you to take solace in the fad that those who live for others are never forgotten, as Tayo will always be remembered as a priceless gift to his family, friends and the entire society.
As inadequate as words remain, I offer my sincere wish that the Almighty God in His infinite mercy grants you, the children and the entire Sanyaolu family the fortitude to bear this painful loss.”
WHAT HIS WIFE SAID
“We met in Jos, Plateau State at your cousin’s wedding; you told me you’d be back with your
family to ask my hand in marriage and take me as your bride- and that’s exactly what you did!
We weathered many storms together, and faced the several challenges life brought our way, in-spite
of these, you made it crystal clear it was till death do us part.
On that fateful Black Friday when the news of your departure was painfully delivered to me, time stood still; at that moment, every other thing in life paled into insignificance. I kept hoping with great expectation that someone would tell me it was a huge mistake or an expensive joke. But alas! My better half is no more.
My ‘Motayo, you lived a phenomenal life of selfless service to humanity through the many lives
that you touched. You were a devoted, caring and doting husband, father and friend. You gave us
13 extraordinary and memorable years of your life. You filled our lives with laughter and excitement, we know what it is to be the first and to be taken care of.
For we are confident that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, I am comforted by the reality that even in death, your spirit and legacy live on!
I’ll forever cherish the sweet and fond memories of the life we shared together; I draw strength
from the countless testimonies from the lives that you touched and the great impact you made.
You may not have lived long but you lived well ‘Motayo.
You- were a true definition of a gentleman, an indefatigable youth, astute leader- committed, passionate and dedicated! The life you lived has challenged me to be there for others and seek to impact, the lives of people I meet positively
‘Motayo, you’ll be remembered as a person with a larger-than-life personality and the generosity
to go with it. You will never be forgotten, till we meet again on the other side of eternity, continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ whom you professed and believe in.
I loved you then, I love you now, I will always love you my MOTAYO”.
Cynthia Sanyaolu
HIS SONS MESSAGE
You were the father that can never be replaced. Your encouragement and kindness shall never be in vain.
I thank you for everything you’ve done for me, and I will really miss you, but God never puts me to shame …
You might not be with us physically, but in our hearts, your love will always remind us of what you’ve done for us and the great things you’ve accomplished. Your legacy would live forever…
The responsibility has been handed over to me (your son), and I promise to never let you down ….. See you on the resurrection morning, and May your soul rest in peace.
Ayomide Sanyaolu (Son)
My dad
My dad has been an awesome dad and a great husband. He is the best dad you could ever wish for. So far this has been the saddest thing that has ever happened in my whole life. I remember he took us out for my birthday dinner and was planning for our summer trip and he came for my Father’s day even though he had nothing to wear. May your soul rest in peace Daddy.
Love you Daddy.
Ayobami Sanyaolu (Daughter)
Day by day, your thoughts fill my heart. How can all of this be true? I can’t believe you are really gone; I still can’t accept it Tboy. I never even got the chance to say goodbye.
Every picture of you keeps bringing back fond memories … I wonder if it will ever get better.
I miss you Omotayo, we all miss you dearly … There’s so much that you’ve left bare. So many unanswered questions … Unspoken words you’ve left behind. Undone things we’ll never get to do again Tboy …
A peace has fallen upon your head Tayo, A taste of sorrow we have been fed. It really is like a hole in our lives, one swiftly dug but carved out of knives.
–Femi Sanyaolu
Tribute to Omotayo Sanyaolu
Omotayo, the news of your sudden death was a shock to us all. A great brother you are to me and the entire family ..
Tayo, you left a vast hole in my heart that no one can fill, losing you is like losing part of myself.
I will miss and cherish our special bond, childhood with you as a brother is a blessing even whenever am in Nigeria you always come around me and make the visit enjoyable and memorable. You take care of mum you didn’t allow her to really feel our absence.
I pray that God in his infinity Mercy will take care of the lovely wife and children which you left behind.
Sleep well my caring lovely, vibrant and jovial brother till we meet at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen.
Love you, bro ….. you will be greatly missed.
Olatokunbo Sanyaolu
But I have hope that those sleeping will rise. The Bible says that God will open their eyes. No more suffering, sickness or pain. Those who did good, eternal life they will gain. So, Omotayo, sleep on my brother, sleep tight.
For now, with you the sky is night. We have all taken solace and accepted the will of God.
Rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Till we meet again.
Femi Sanyaolu
It’s been the hardest thing to lose you, you meant so much to us, but you are in our heart Omotayo, and that’s where you will always be. We know that Heaven called you but we wish you could have stayed, at least the memories we have of you, will never fade. So just remember one thing we are not apart, you are with us in our memories and in our broken hearts. You ran your race to the end and you achieved so much in a short space of time, sleep on Omotayo Olalekan Sanyaolu.
Babatunde and Adewunmi Sanyaolu
– B A Sanyaolu
Hmmmmmmm
Omotayo I still can’t believe you are no longer with us. We were at your house on the 1st of January celebrating the new year together.
I never in a million years thought I will be writing something like this for you so soon, I will miss your tickle, smile, the way you call me (Twin mum) and your sense of humour. I thank God for your short and well-lived life. My dearly beloved Omotayo you will forever be in our hearts. We love you beyond words but Jesus loves you more. Holy Spirit the comforter will comfort and console us all.
Goodbye and goodnight Sun re o.
– Adepeju Sanyaolu
When I found out the news of your passing my first response was “which Tayo” because I could not believe it could possibly be you. You were always one of the first faces I would see when landing, It was always you and I driving back from the airport to the house talking and laughing.
Whenever everyone is together and someone says “Tayo” we both answer or when someone asks “Tayo da” and I say I’m here and they say sorry not you Tayo Senior. I can’t believe I will never get those moments with you ever again.
Aunty Cynthia, Babajide and Ayobami I got them for life.
My uncle, my guy, my big brother Tayo Senior. Rest in eternal peace your one and only nephew Tayo junior
– Temitayo Sanyaolu
Tayo, words fail me at this moment in time. The shock and pain at the news of your passing is indescribable. You have left the entire family grief-stricken.
Little did we know that when we insisted that you must host the family on New Year’s Day because many of us had never been to your home, we were actually saying Farewell to you. Since your passing, we have heard so many testimonies of your good deeds and benevolence from different quarters. Beneath that gentle and calm mien, lay a strong personality with a strong sense of
purpose.
You will be sorely missed in the family, Tayo. Your young cousins who doted on you and looked up to you have been devastated by your passing, but I pray God will console them, and indeed the entire family.
You may no longer be with us physically, but you are with us in spirit and your memories will forever remain in our minds.
Farewell Tayo. Sleep on in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ till we meet to part no more.
Gbolahan Sanyaolu
My Uncle T! I honestly do not even know where to start because I literally cannot believe I’m writing this.
I came to Nigeria and you were not outside the airport waiting with my dad like you always do. This is the hardest pill I’ve ever had to swallow and it breaks my heart. Every time I close my eyes, I see your face and bright smile and then I think about your last moments which makes me anxious and I just wish it was all a dream. Words cannot even express the hurt I feel but all I can say is it is well.
When I came in June and I told you I came for a quick trip to sort some things out that I was leaving the next day you said ‘December loading, we will see then’ Uncle this was not the plan at all but who am I to question God?
You made such an impact in so many people’s lives and seeing the way people talk about you, your character and your sense of humour warms my heart and makes me proud to call you my uncle. One thing my Mum and Dad
always tell me is ‘ka sa ma se dada’ and uncle you did
exactly that.
I thank God for your short but well-spent life, I pray God continues to comfort Aunty Cynthia, Ayomide, Ayobami and the whole of the Sanyaolu family as it’s been a shock for us all. I pray your legacy continues to live on, you will forever be in our hearts and we will never forget you.
Rest eternally my dearest uncle, I love you always and forever until we meet again.
Your beloved niece – as you used to call me.
Temitope Sanyaolu
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