Home Celebrity Lifestyle The Life & Times Of Chief J.K. RANDLE (MBE)

The Life & Times Of Chief J.K. RANDLE (MBE)

by City People
  • The Story Of A Legendary Sportsman

The year, 2023, marks the 114 years of the birth of the late Chief Joseph Koshoniola Randle, MBE, MVO, born on July 28, 1909, to Dr. John Kehinde Randle, a reputable medical practitioner and renowned swimmer after whom the famous yearly J.K. Randle swimming competition was created in Lagos. And come December 17, 2023 the 67th memorial anniversary of the beloved Chief J.K. Randle who, to the shock and grief of the nation, passed on from this mortal world, shortly after his return from Melbourne, Australia, where as Chef-de Mission, led, with colour and admiration, the maiden Nigerian contingent of 10 athletes and four officials to the 1956 Olympic Games.

The cream of Nigerians, from all walks of life, paid him huge tributes. The long list of sympathizers was inclusive of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Oba Adele II of Lagos, Chief Adeyemi Lawson, Dr. M. A. Majekodunmi, Chief J.A. Ajao and Chief T.S. Fujah (Are of Lagos).

All according to a commentator lamented his early death, at 47, lauding his inspirational role as Chef-de-Mission of the 1956 Nigerian Olympic squad. He was also commended as a praise worthy official envoy of goodwill.

July 28, 2019 was a wholesome milestone for the Randle family who celebrated his post-humous centennial birthday anniversary in Lagos and Chelsea, England. True to tradition, his family will host this year’s annual Chief J.K. Randle Olympic Dinner in Lagos. The annual thanksgiving service in his memory will hold on 17th December, 2023 at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos. A reception is scheduled after the church service.

“J.K”, the son of Dr. J.K. Randle, had a disciplined formal educational and sports training at King’s College, Lagos. By coincidence “J.K.” was born in 1909, the same year his alma mater was founded in Lagos. He showed artistry at both cricket and football at King’s College.

He was the first ever Nigerian student to play cricket for his country. He played for Nigeria against the then Gold Coast (now Ghana) in the pre-independence intercolonial indigenous cricket series. He left King’s College in 1929, the year of his only appearance in the series.

Chief Simeon Adebo, himself a cricketer and an old boy of King’s College held the view in his book – our unforgetteble years – that Randle was the best cricketer and footballer during their time at King’s College where Randle was captain of both games. Other notable school boy cricketers at King’s with Randle included Louis Mbanefo, later Sir Louis Mbanefo, Chief Justice of Eastern Nigeria and a Vice-Patron of the Nigeria Cricket Federation as well as the Hon. Justice Charles Daddy Onyeama who, much later on, served on the bench of the International Court of Justice at The Hague and a playing member of the Lagos Amateur Cricket Club (LACC).

Both Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, then Premier of Eastern Nigeria, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Premier of old Western Nigeria, commented on the ability of Chief J.K. Randle at football and draught respectively.

In his tribute, Dr. Azikiwe disclosed that as the first captain of Zik’s Athletic Club, “J.K.” played centre forward on the football team which won the Zard Cup in 1938, 9 years after leaving King’s College. He was an inspiration to his team mates.

Chief Awolowo re-called that he became a good friend of Chief Randle when they first met in 1931, in the days when he (Chief Awolowo) had enough leisure to play a game of draught.

To him, “J.K.” died an undefeated Nigerian Champion of that game. His death was a matter of personal grief to Chief Awolowo. So, truly “J.K.”, a versatile all – round sportsman knew his onions well beyond the popular athletic tracks, cricket and football fields.

Following the footsteps of J.K.”, two other students of King’s also played in the inter-colonial indigenous cricket series against Ghana, to make it a hat – trick for King’s College, their alma mater. The duo were Titus Oluseye Ejiwunmi, the renowned educationist, who appeared on the Nigeria side in 1931 and Oluwajimi Coker (later Professor of Gyneacology and Obstetrics) in 1949. Egba Chiefs, of blessed memory, Ejiwunmi and Coker were also in the chair of the Nigeria Cricket Federation in the 60’s and 70’s.

Chief Randle also had a passion for horse racing. His stable, on occasions, saddled surprise winners on some race days. As the Chairman of the Lagos Race Club he was cherished for the race parties he sponsored on common ground in the club, for the cross-section of Nigerian members and those of other nationalities in order to cement healthy relationships.

J.K. Randle was the founder of the Island Club, Lagos and, later on, became its Chairman. As its leader, he was always motivated by his over-riding ideal of inter-racial friendly relationships amongst the Island Club community and those other institutions under his leadership. His influence stabilized the club. The multi-racial membership the institution still enjoys today is a befitting memorial to our departed Chief.

All hands were on deck on Saturday, December 20, 1956, the day the body of Chief Randle, Lisa of Lagos, was laid to rest. It was a day of memorable spectacle. Lagos markets were ordered closed by Oba Adele II of Lagos. The Oba had earlier eulogized the Chief-de-Mission eloquently, maintaining that his death had deprived Lagos of a colossal and legendary persocnality we would sadly miss. The Oba recalled that the deceased was a pillar of strength; his right hand man who catered for the social development of Lagos; an invaluable adviser and counselor; and a true loyalist.

It was no surprise the funeral procession was led by the jockeys of the Lagos Race Club of which the departed Chief was its Chairman. Thereafter followed the Oba’s staff, White Cap Chiefs, War Chiefs and Title Chiefs. The hearse was preceded by members of the Island Club and NOBECGA (Nigeria Olympic and British Empire and Commonwealth Games Association), the Nigerian supervisory body for all recognised sport associations in the country.

It is worthwhile to note that at the asking of the Randle family, the Lagos State Government, on July 28, 2009, the post-humous centennial of Chief J.K. Randle’s birth, changed the name of the General Hospital in Surulere, on Randle Road, to Randle General Hospital. The prompt action of the State Government is an honour to whom honour was due.

Would it not be proper for the federal sporting authorities of our land to have a befitting memorial for “J.K.” at the National Stadium in Abuja or elsewhere?

 

Kunle Oyesiku

Former Hon. Secretary

Nigeria Cricket Federation

 

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