Buried one of my fathers yesterday (30th April 2018). I waited to make sure the vault was sealed. On my way out I then noticed I been standing right beside my good friend. Which is ironic because if he'd been alive he would have supported me through this.

My dear cousin you always beat me by 2 days until my own birthday. Something that made me feel closer to you...both June babies.  I always slightly had it over you with age though, I have to say, although what you managed to fit into your years was astounding. So you are even more in my thouhts today and just reviewing these stories again reminds me of how proud we all are of you and it's extremely touching. Blessings to all your family and with love and remembrance dear Deji.

It would have been yet another birthday today, Deji. Continue to rest in the bossom of the Lord. It is well with all those you left behind, and your legacy will continue to grow from strength to strength. Amen

Deji, it would have been your 52nd birthday today. I would have called you early in the day to wish you a happy one. Alas, it's not going to happen! We continue to miss you, and thank God for your life, legacy and the loved ones you've left behind.

Continue to rest in peace, my dear friend. 

Yesterday, 5th June was my birthday, a month to the day you left.

Yesterday I didn’t get your call or the message hailing “London Bigx Boy”.

You’ve been reduced a string of text messages -

“London Bigx Boy! Called you but your line was busy.”

“So you no fit acknowledge my text again? Where you dey?”

“AB you don grow mustachio?!”

I found a postcard you sent to me ages ago when you were in Casablanca. All of a sudden it has an increased sense of meaning. When you saw an opening in Lagos that might’ve been good for me, you chased me down, harassing and haranguing me to send CVs and proposals.  Thanks.

Your London ICOBA7378 crew miss you, even though you “left” us nine years ago. Since you left a month ago we’ve met/gone out socially 5 times. Your untimely departure has brought a renewed sense of purpose.

Personally, I intend to “live” every day I have left on this earth. And as I said at the service we had for you in London I hope to make at least one person happy every day till my time is up. And thanks for the last video you sent on “WhatsApp”. The advice was spooky but timely and worthy.

Anyway I am sure you and Sola are showing them how it’s done over there!

AB - London Bigx Boy

We’ve all loved
We’ve all loved and lost

Yet when the loss of a loved one becomes permanent the pain one feels is indescribable

When their life on Earth comes to an end we are left with a lingering hollowness that cannot be put into words

An empty hole in our hearts that cannot be filled

Death causes us to realize how valuable time is

How little of it we have, and how we should spend every moment appreciating those we love

As when we lose someone we love we spend hours wishing we could spend one more minute in their presence, telling them all the things we always believed but were never able to say

So Uncle Deji we want you to know

Your presence brought joy and life into every room

And your never-ending laughter left lasting smiles plastered on the faces of those around you

Your humility made everyone feel valued and cherished as you treated every one of God’s humble servants as royalty, taking the time to express the importance of everyone you encountered

You will greatly be missed

And while you can never be replaced your soul lingers in the memories of our minds

May you rest in blessed peace

Deji, you have left a big hole in many hearts. I remember seeing you last at Jumoke's birthday. As usual, your presence was a light and a thousand smiles. I remember our early years in London, especially when we all lived in Harrow. You will be profoundly missed. May God keep you in His grip of grace forevermore. Rest in peace, dearest friend. 

- Bunmi Ajayi, London  

With Bode Olaniyan, etc

Scalati, Yemco, Deji, Patrick Ukah, Bobo

I have deliberately refrained from writing a memorial tribute.

There is little left to garnish the wonderful things that have already been written about a truly incredible individual (by friends of his more qualified than me), about "My Chairman". Instead of writing something that will lead to me shedding more tears today (the day that he was laid to rest), I will instead share a story about his incredible wit. But before that, and just on a general note, I remember that whenever he would call me (more recently immediately on arrival from Nigeria and whether or not on a phone that I had registered against his name) I would hear the familiar greeting: "A rub a dub stylay, in a babylon.. hail Rastafari.. etc etc. This would go on for about a quarter of a minute with with me always interupting him to ask: "Mr Deji Tosh (formerly known as Omotoso), I presume?".

Deji was a man who loved his food and back in early 2004, I ingeniously discovered a Nigerian Restaurant, on Barking Road, called "Nikky's Place" that he had not yet heard of.  I was quite excited with my new find at the time. I was sure that the food would meet his expectations and we arranged to hook up  there one weekday evening. I had in advance sung praises about the portion sizes, the quality of the cooking and the speed of service (all issues that Deji took seriously when rating indigenous eating establishments). We both ordered food which consisted of White rice with stew and assorted meat. We ate and discussed about general things, without Deji uttering a word about whether the food met his high standards or not. Half an hour later, we washed the food down with cold drinks and I could not bear the suspense any longer, so I bluntly enquired as to what he thought about the food. "Oh yes" he said with a twinkle in his eyes, "The assorted meat was.. too assorted".  

According to Yemi, Daddy GO but he meant Daddy DO that's who you are.

Mama MO is our mother and you are our father

Oh! ARM family has lost their daddy and mentor

This world is not your home, you are just passing through

Ride on. 

On behalf of Taiye , Ayomide and especially , your God son Koya. I would like to express our sincere appreciation for your life  and our sorrow at your sudden departure. We don't understand why so soon .......Only God knows best!

I was privileged to have been a part of your life for over 40 years....My family over half of that… Sharing the good times (e.g. Arsenal live matches at the Emirates, World cup France 98, Brussels, Cyprus dream etc.) and the not so good ones that life tosses at all of us.

Remarkably, you bore yours with so much stoicism. Never complained about your portion...you simply got on with it. You lived your life to the full. I now understand all those trips you felt you had to make at home & abroad. The urgency of it all. I didn't at the time realise you had a race to complete and that time was of the essence. That I will take away as an invaluable lesson from this.

I never understood too, how you found the energy!! Your catnaps were legendary!! Returning late, from work or another social function you simply crashed on your favourite chairs. Yes plural, as.you always had one everywhere. You had " homes" all over the world.

You had dreams! We had joint plans! But all now in disarray!  Our friends are asking me what is PLAN B. My response, there is simply none for this!

Lagos Big Boy (LBB), as I fondly called you in reference to how you resolved our challenges in Naija especially for those of us in the diaspora. You made all your resources available to us during our many visits...to make our lives so much easier. You stood with us "shoulder to shoulder" with our joys and sorrows. Your  generosity knew no bounds.

Taiye will miss you. She referred to you as her Aboki , she will miss all your gifts especially  the Special bottles of groundnuts and Apple crumble with custard you both enjoyed.

Bisi, Ore,Sabrina, Damilola, Ireoluwa ...Bolaji, Seun, Lekan , Grandpa and grandma, God will comfort you all!! It is well!

Sun re O!

Wole Sanwo Bushey Big Boy (BBB)

The first to come to work and the last to go not minding you are oga at the top, you taught us how to work smart, the busiest desk in ARM yet you will attend to everyone, whenever you sighted me you will call me Opeku Opeku (I don’t even know the meaning) you have your own pet name for all your ARM children. I bring two shoes to the office (flat and high) the flat one is for your office to get your signature approval because I have to queue waiting for my turn, once it’s my turn you will order me to go and wear the high shoe and come back with nonsense girl and monkey song following me behind, I wonder how you managed to know I bring two shoes to office, how you know what time everyone comes to work and left, how you know when we are not happy, very busy yet you still have time to display your fatherly love, Your fatherly attributes, jokes. I remember the day I called you grandfather and your small girl(Moji) reported me, you called me to ask why and my response put a smile on your face ( I said I called you grandfather because you are always checking on me, asking me about the guy, giving us chocolate any time you came back from a trip etc) Baba you are one in a billion, your love, care, chastise and encouragement kept us going in ARM.

Ever present in all ARM occasion weddings, traditional marriage, naming ceremony etc, you touch so many life in a different way, you have a gift of reaching out, caring for people, philanthropist, (I have never come to your office for wedding or baby gift contribution and left empty handed). On my last day you told me to come to your office, you gave me 100 dollars to buy books (but i bought shoe you know i love shoe) and you gave your fatherly advice as usual and wish me well, surprisingly you called me, you sent me emails asking me how I am doing, hope the weather is not too cold for you, about my school and if i have started working? (a grandfather indeed) the last email you sent I replied waiting for your response little did I know you have gone to be with the lord.                                                                     

DO you left a big vacuum in our life, ARMgroup will miss you, your family will miss you more but we will console in thy lord who called you to rest.

 Baba, Fincon father, my ARM father figure you came to the world to work, you die working smart, amazingly you accomplished and conquered so in my opinion I will say you defeated death.

KA-CHI-FUO(you told me you understand igbo)

 Your girl Opeku (Chinyere Iwuajoku)

We met in Unife in 1980. We had a lot in common like our surname (mine spelt with an "H" and yours without), our "Omo Ibadan" connection and our parents had known each other before we were born. In 1981, we started living together with (late)Tolu Ilori and Abana in the BQ of the Ogunkanmi's in the staff quarters and we did alot of partying and all the things that young men do in college. We got tired of explaining to everyone that we were not brothers and just opted to call each other cousins. But you did became my brother over the years. I fondly recollect our escapades on our motorbikes and the races we so enjoyed having together.
I recollect vividly racing down the curve of road 7a. I was overtaking a car at the top of the hill with my bike and you decided to take both the car and I at the same time. You then hit gravel on the side of the road, your bike popped up doing a wheelie and crashed off the hill. Both the car we had just overtaken and myself turned back at the bottom of the hill to head back up to look for you and we were all shocked to see you coming out of the bush shaking plants and dust of your clothes and the guy in the car we had overtaken did not believe you were the same person who had just crashed off the hill. You seemed invincible as a young man, coming through some crazy crashes with just scratches and bruises! 
At another time you dared me about taking the Moremi/Central cafe curve at some crazy speed which I can't recollect. I took up your dare and you even dared to ride on the back of the bike with me as I went thru that curve with sparks flying as we "banked" through that curve. As we came up through the curve, you stood on the bike with both fists raised enjoying the moment as the people around started clapping. I remember you vividly whispering in my ear "Dupsy, never try that again". I never did it again but we enjoyed the moment. Still recollect your graduation party!
God was really merciful to us even when we did not know Him yet!
Then thankfully, we grew up! Always admired your progress in your career and your dedication to hardwork and your family.
"Dejomi", we had great times together, the fun, the laughter, the jokes, the teasing, your smile. Getting together in recent times with you and the guys at Tunsco's 50th, Sola's wedding and my last trip to Nigeria 2 years ago.
I remember the times we would just spend catching up over the phone, your generosity, your kindness. You always stayed in touch.
When you called to wish me a Happy Birthday at 3am the day before my birthday, I did not know it would be the last time we would speak. I woke up on Tuesday, the 5th of May 2015 saying to myself that I need to call you. I was on my way to my daughter's college and listening to a very strange messageon the radio titled "the minute after you die" when I got the call that you were gone. I have found it hard to believe. I could not grasp that you are no more. I have reminisced so much on our time together and can only thank God for the times and having you as a friend and brother.
You always had a good heart and loved people!
Dejomi! you are gone too soon!!
Why would death that could not take you in the days of our wild, reckless and youthful exuberance take you now?
But, Who can question God? We'll miss you my friend and brother! I rest assured that you made it to heaven my brother!
I pray for your parents, your brothers, your beautiful wife Bisi and the children, your friends and staff at work that the Lord will comfort and strengthen all in Jesus name, amen. 
Goodnight Deji!

Your friend, cousin and brother,
Dupsy Omotosho 

DO,

Your departure news was a shock to us in Briscoe Properties Limited. Though you were more known by the management team, we have had reasons to talk about you to our younger team who needed to know and get inspired on some of your rare qualities as a distinguished professional. Now, you are no more with us but your memory lingers on forever. When we remember you now, it is  in the place of our prayers, that the good Lord  would comfort your family and grant you  a peaceful rest. Goodnight DO

HIs smile and demeanour say it all. Fully embodying every single kind and true word on this site. I am just so very pleased that clearly goodness can be known when it is seen. I am just so glad that some carry that goodness as an example for the rest of us. Deji’s goodness was disarming. Unfortunately easy to take for granted, as humans are wont to do, but now that he has left us oh how it becomes obvious. When we look back, Deji’s goodness was breath-taking.

As we battled with my Fathers illness Deji graced us on this the occasion of his last birthday. Spreading light, assurance and comfort in his inimitable and self-effacing way. We miss you dear cousin. We miss you so much already. You thought mainly of others. You lived mainly for others. Even your Whatsapp profile picture said “God Bless Nigeria”. Everything you achieved you gained through your own hard work and with absolute honesty, and oh how rare. You were slow to anger and quick to forgive. You were kind.

Oh what a terrible shock your loss. And such deep sadness. I send a special prayer to your wonderful Parents, dear Uncle and Auntie, to lovely Bisi and your children Oreoluwa, Damilola and Ireoluwa and also to your three sterling brothers, my dear cousins, Lekan, Bolaji and Seun. May you have ALL the strength you need at this difficult time. May Deji’s light shine down to console you. May you rest in Gods arms.

Dear Deji thank you for all that you have done for us. I am sure that all who have contributed to this site will walk just a little bit more inspired through their lives for your presence. I know that I will. May you rest in eternal and glorious peace.   

Deji

I have been on this page more than 4 times and unable to write.  My husband Tubosun (Tiny) was in tears all over again yesternight thinking of what to write and it was so scary I woke up thinking there was another death.

He told me you both went to Mrs Peter's lesson, then to Igbobi  college.  I met you shortly in London when my husband first arrived in England and you're one of the people who helped him .  We are blessed for meeting a wonderfun human being like Deji, whose zest for life and capacity to live life to the ful was inspiring.

Tiny said you were never bitter or held grudges. Temi said she will never forget your smiley face and gentle nature especially your support for Arsenal even when they kept losing, you so much believe they are better than Manchester United.

Our prayers goes out to your children and family that the Holy Spirit will comfort  and keep them together IJMN

You'll solely be missed.  Rest in peace.

Yewande Ipaye-Tubi. 

To the right of Deji is Tunde Jagun.
Tunde Jagun is Bisi's older brother.
And as we know, adorable Deji was betrothed to Bisi.

At the time this picture was taken at a meal for my 40th birthday, Tunde and Deji were good friends.
Later on, by God's careful design, Tunde and Deji were to become in-laws.

In all things we give thanks to the Lord.

One leasson I have learnt from Deji's demise is that,
it is not for HOW LONG you are here on earth, but
WHAT DID YOU DO, how many lives did you impact for the positive?
What do people have to say about you?
Will you be missed when you transition beyod?
Or will people rejoice on the exit?

From all indications, it is clear that Deji will not simply be missed, but he will be sorely missed.
He touched so many lives in so many unique ways.
He impacted so many people with his infectious smile and character.
I have been racking my brain to try and remember seeing Deji's wrath, but I can only recall one or two; one of which a Met Police Officer tried to unjustly harrass Deji, but quickly retracted when he realised whom he was dealing with.


I know Deji cannot read all our messages to him, but we know that his spririt will be getting all the positive vibes that we are exuding towards him.

Amico, adieu.            

No real "stories" - i hadnt seen or interacted (consistently) with Deji since we left the great campus at Ile-Ife thirty years ago - but I understand fully well insider lines like - ("... Ofonyesi osinyenfon man no die man no rotten obiajalakashamana ....") - so very well expressed by Soji Fagade. There are also equally fine comments written by Demola Bojuwoye and so many others which I wholeheartedly agree with. The overall picture of those who met Deji well before and long after I did, paint an accurate portait of an all-round good man, friend, family man (among others) - a man who will be sorely missed. Im also struck by how much Deji had not physically changed since the days when we were much youger. The same smile - pretty much the same happy features and great attitude have carried him over from the time I knew him - meeting at the initials SUB - all the way to his time at the initials ARM - and beyond. The Good Lord has him for eternity now and will comfort all those who will surely miss him. Rest in peace Deji.

Dont ask me about how we came about this greeting mode and he would respond with a similar trademark gibberish that only the two of us understood.  We always joked about - how we hoped no one was listening to our 'nonsense jives' as the only conclusion they would reach was that we both needed mental health attention.

It is amazing how many lives Deji touched for good and the refrain has been how caring and wonderfully amazing Deji was. No word of a lie in all the tributes I have read on here because i know that that is exactly how my friend is.

He never let me rest about that hole in one. Deji told me about it and I heard about it from a few other folks. Too many wonderful memories of Deji to share. Way way too many.  I will miss you so much. So much 

My Dearest D.O....

On that fateful day, i was calling you on my way from work and it kept diverting, and i thougt ''D.O, has travelled again''. Then i got a call that has been ringing in my head since tuesday.

I first worked at ARM in 2008 and i met you on my last day. You were scolding me for breaking a rule. After i apologised, you asked me a few questions and that was how we hit it off. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship that lasted 7 perfect years. I came back to ARM in 2012, and our friendship continued.

It was a pleasure to watch you work.....your ethics were out of this world. Perfection had to be delivered at all times. I remember reading through documents over and over again before bringing them to you.

You were not my boss....nah! You were my ''padi''. We would gist and gist for hours sometimes about silly things. Oh the laughs that we had. You would sing and rap and recite chuchu's nursery ryhme for me. That just reflected what a loving and devoted father you were. The way you related with me was a thing of awe for my siblings because we talked like equals.

Wherever in the world you were, you always called me on my birthday. You would sing and pray for me and i would be giddy with excitement. I remember you picking me up countless times from Falomo and you would joke that your car is not a school bus....

You encouraged me always, stood up for me, looked out for me, cheered me on.....i could go on and on. Weekday, Weekend it mattered not. You could never bear to see a frown on my face.....

I still spoke to you on the 2nd of May....you were stuck in traffic and hating every minute of it. You always could not stand traffic.

This still doesn't feel real..... but i take solace in the fact that you are resting in the bosom of the Lord. You were always so busy and it's time for you to rest.

So i apologise for all the times i took you for granted and i thank you for everything you have done for me and my family.

May God in His infinite mercies abide with your family, nuclear and extended. May the peace of God that transcends all understanding comfort them and see them through this difficult period.

You are sooooo missed but your light shines on. You will never be forgotten.

I promise to do you proud.....Love you forever D.O of life!!! 

From slimmy or eku (small rat) which was what you called me. 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father in heaven" Matthew 5:16

The great Principal Mr Olatubosun uttered this ominous verse from the Bible on our first day at Assembly at the Angus Memorial Hall Igbobi College on the 3rd of September 1973 at 9am to be precise. Pa Olatunbosun was lecturing 102 starry eyed Freshers on the expectations of the great Igbobi College.

It was a bright summer morning, I was not the only one in awe and full of trepidation, next to me was a baby face dark bushy haired 10 year old skinny boy called Deji Omotoso. I wondered why he was smiling and yet shaking. Looking back I have fathomed the reason why?

Despite being one of the youngest in the 73-78 set, Deji understood the meaning of letting your light shine ...., you do not light a candle and hide it under a bushel, you put it on a candle stick and it will giveth light to all (Matthew 5:15).

That is what Deji did all his life, from the age of 10 he had resolved that whosoever he had the privilege of associating with he would do good and let his light shine upon them. It took many of us in the class of 73-78 a couple of more years to reach Deji's understanding of his commitment in life. In this singular commitment, Deji was on top of his game, a selfless individual who immensely contributed positively to everyone's development.

To me I have lost an Icon and personal friend, we were together not only in Igbobi College but also at the University of Ife and we survived the cut throat professional accountancy exams in Nigeria and England. We had business interests together, we did our Supporters Club rounds following the Nigerian Football Team in Europe like groupies, and it was only when Deji could not find time to attend their matches, due to his business schedule that the Super Eagles started losing flight!

My heart felt sympathies go out to Bisi, Deji's children Ore, Damilola and Ireoluwa his entire Family and aged Parents; we pray such a tragic loss will never be repeated. Deji was absolutely passionate about his family, he lived for them, and no one can ask more of him. I remember when Deji had a family bereavement in England, no words could express his sorrow at losing Sola but Deji still managed a smile and said his commitment was to ensure his late Brother's family lacked nothing in the way of his support.

I am humbled, I am privileged, and I am honoured to be associated with you Deji for the 42 years we studied, played, and worked together in Nigeria and England. It has not always been an easy ride to the top but you did it with panache and with the human spirit, you did not remove the ladder in the climb to the top, indeed you pulled those who did not get a firm grip up. Our school motto says "wherever there is an Igbobian, there is a noble Nigerian" how true Deji Man!

The words of Pastor Tubi rings in my ear "Heavens received a Saint"

Despite Deji's transition to the great beyond, we must celebrate the achievements and compassion and legacy Deji left us to cherish.

Adieu Mon Amie 

The photo we took with Deji at Lakowe on 1st of May where Sade and I had lunch with him.  Full of life.  He talked extensively about the vision of the golf course and its future.  Great pity.

May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace in Jesus name.  Amen 

Soleye 

There is not enough space for me to tell a story, because (a) with Deji, there are far too many stories (b) I will fill up cyberspace.

But brief I shall keep it.

There never was an instance that help was sought from Deji that he was too busy to assist.
Difficult as it may have been, he would go that extra mile to accomplish the task.

Deji's generosity knew no boundaries.
 
I take comfort from the fact that you touched so many lives with your positive outlook to life.
I pray that the pain on your passing on to the life beyond will be eased as the days go by. But be rest assured of one fact, Deji, you will never be forgotten.

Till we meet again in the kingdom of Jesus Christ our Heavenly Father, adieu Deji.      

This was one of the last moments in the flesh with my very dear friend. Ohhh I miss his charm, trustworthiness, freespirit and presence already but I know and trust surely he is resting in the arms of the mighty one. Goodnight my confidant, my friend until we meet again. From Yemco (Oloye!!)