Sir(Chief) Bode Akindele flanked by,Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi,Ekefa Olubadan of Ibadanland and his god-daughter,Chief(Mrs) Aramide,Gbonnka Iyalode of Ibadanland,during a private dinner hosted by Sir for us in his London,UK home in 2018.
Sir(Chief)Bode Akindele died on Monday,29th June,this year,in his Apapa,Lagos State home.He was aged 87.May his noble and kind soul rest in perfect peace.Amen.
This is part 3 of my promised tribute to a pious statesman,patriot, industrialist,philanthropist,lover of tradition and culture and icon in all he laid his hands on – education,charity, manufacturing,real estate,shipping,media,agriculture etc
My tributes(parts 1 & 2),titled,”WHEN A ROLE MODEL DIES” and “TRIBUTE TO A SIR OF ALL SEASONS”are attempts by my humble to capture the enviable image of the Sir.
He is best projected in his autobiography,”I DID IT GOD’s WAY”.A late American singer/actor,titled one of his records,”I DID IT MY WAY”.
In my second tribute,I promised to serialise my full TRIBUTE to Sir,in order to present a “regi”(befitting) view of the Baba who, in our 36 year-old respectable relationship,called me by my name less than fifty times.A great exponent of time-honoured Yoruba culture and English protocols,I was,at various times,addressed by him as,”Press Secretary”,”Akogun” and till he died,”Oloye Olubadan”.
May Sir Bode’s noble soul rest in perfect peace.Amen.
