•Just As The Widow, YEMISI & Her Kids Open Up
The remains of Mr. Kehinde Olushola Afolabi was laid to rest on Friday 30th September, 2022 in Lagos, at Ebony Vaults, Ikoyi, Lagos.
He is the twin brother of Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, the Chairman of SIFAX Group.
What many people said about him is the fact that the late Kehinde Afolabi who turned 60 last April was a Gentleman.
In all the publications done about him, he was described as A Gentleman. In his Obituary Advert the headline used was A Gentleman Takes A Bow.
Who is Kehinde Afolabi? Kehinde Afolabi, popularly called Watari, was a Lagos businessman, with investments in the hospitality industry. He was the Chairman & CEO, Ken Dallas Hotel & Suites located at Idimu, Lagos.
Born on April 29, 1962 as a twin of Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, a business magnate and Chairman, SIFAX Group, a conglomerate with headquarters in Lagos, with business interests in Aviation, Maritime, Oil & Gas, Logistics, Financial Services and Hospitality.
Kehinde Afolabi had his primary education at Ansar-Ul-Deen Primary School, Yemoja, on do. He also attended Mushin College, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. He was in the hospitality business since 1990.
He was a recipient of several awards, both in the hospitality industry and beyond. The most recent was the award of Most Influential Triumphant Man (Aare Borokini Alaseyege Lagbaye) by YOMAFA Global Group.
He was a member of Lions Club International and a Co-Founder of Ajoke Aishat Afolabi Foundation, an NGO named after his mother, which caters for the less privileged, especially indigent women and girls.
Hundreds of children are on the NGO’s scholarship.
He was a generous man that supported the career of some of Nigeria’s notable artistes, including Naira Marley, Mega 99 and LAX.
Kehinde Afolabi was a gentleman, but an extrovert that enjoyed building relationships across socio-economic cadres. He left behind his lovely wife, Yemisi Afolabi and 3 lovely children – Ayomide (son), Adunola (daughter) and Toluwabori (son).
What will they miss about Kehinde Afolabi? His wife Yemisi writes: “This world is not ours …. There is no greater agony than that I can no longer see you with my eyes. Have fought battles, have seen storm, this is the toughest battle of my life …
Is not a palatable experience, there is no respect in death! If money could buy life, your twin brother Dr Afolabi tried.
The answer is not in time but in the hand of time keeper, our creator, the tears will dry but memories last forever.
Sun reo.
Oko mi. Omokehinde Olushola Afolabi.
You left this world but not my heart. Rest in eternal bliss …”
Ayomide Afolabi wrote: Daddy. The day you took your last breath, was the day my world went dark, my consolation is my second Daddy. Your twin Daddy Taiwo Afolabi.
I pray, he lives long in sound heart, to continue, where you stopped, you may not be with me anymore but my love for you will never die. Death ends a life not a relationship. My inner heart is still crying … Miss you Daddy”.
Adunoluwa Afolabi also wrote a moving tribute: “If they tell me I’ll be writing a tribute for my Dad, this year I’ll say it’s a lie, I miss you so much and I can’t wrap my head around the fact I’ll never hear your voice or see you again.
A part of me is gone forever .. A part of you will live forever ….
I promise, I will make you proud ijmn”.
There isn’t a day, that goes by, that I don’t think of you …
I could call him at any time and always has a solution to my problem. You were perfect because you were my Dad and I’ll choose you over and over again.
I love you so much and you’ll forever be in my heart until we meet again.
I pray for my second Daddy, he has always been there for us, since birth, God will not leave him empty.
How about Toluwabori Afolabi? My Daddy. Everyday without you has been hard .. I should have hugged you tighter and longer the last time I saw you … Everyday without you has been hard, you know, I’m the baby of the house. My heart still looks for you. My soul knows, you’re at love. Love you forever. Daddy.
The twin brother of the deceased Dr. Taiwo Afolabi wrote a tribute titled: Gone Too Soon. Dear Kehinde, “We started this race of life the same day, but unexpectedly you left me all alone, by myself. We celebrated our 60th birthday anniversary few months ago. We appreciated God for how far he had taken us since our childhood days.
We were looking forward to a future where we would both grow old together and be surrounded by our grandchildren. But alas, death has aborted the dream. He took you away from me without a chance of a proper goodbye.
My dear Watari, though my heart is heavy, I am consoled by the sweet memories of our time together that spanned over 60 years.
May your soul rest in peace. I remain your twin”.
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