Always remember you at my wedding day. A big Sikh wedding, so happy you and your family were there.

On the dance floor I was on someone's shoulders, music blasting. Loving the moment. I looked down and saw that smile. My little buddy was on the dance floor too!!!

Even at that age, confident and with a sense of fun. 

More life Jamal x

Very painful devastated as I type.  Jamal miss you so so much. I miss your banter , smile , our arguments and you as my wonderful Son. You would have turned 20 today, iku ba ola je . I know you would have been making the best of it working hard and also having fun as you always do .Hey it is not happening but tenk God for your beautiful 17 years that you gave to us . You always made us proud both in life and in your death, Insha Allah Zainab and Rahmat will continue to make us proud as you all did . Jamal guess what Uncle Banky and Aunty Linda had a new addition, another boy on 4th March , trust you would have spoiled him . Jamal you were loved by friends. Have a wonderful birthday in heaven , Jamal I miss you today and every day but nothing can be done as you know pain it will subside. Thank you Jamal for being you and for making us proud. You will always be remembered. Sun re o . ❤️❤️❤️

Hmmmmm exactly 6.30am Monday 13th July 2015 after sleeping like a log of wood, I found out that my awesome son Abdul Jamal Kolawole Oluwatosin Oluwafolajimi has gone. Still like a dream, but what can I say? As we all know there is no explanation. I will be telling a lie if I said, it is getting better or easier. The sad thing is you have to keep going especially as a wife, mother & teacher. Jammy, we miss you three much and nothing can fill that gap you left, it is so painful but still we have to continue thanking the Almighty as he knows it all. Big thanks to everyone, most especially his lovely friends for the love & support. God bless you, Jammy sun re o (sleep easy) ❤️

Ahhh jammy, this is long overdue but I always said I'd only post here once I had come to terms with your passing. Truth is I don't think I'll ever completely come to terms with what happened two years ago, but that's okay I think. Some things just can't really be explained I guess. I remember the first real moment it all started for us, you beat me 3-0 with Milan the first time we played Fifa 12. We didn't talk all that much back then but it all changed after that one dumb game. For the next month everyday you'd come up to me and all you'd harp on about was "Zlatan this" and "Zlatan that". It was unbearable, but I'll never forget it. I banged that game out so much for our next match, the next time you could sneak one in after school without your parents knowing. That says it all really man, you always made me wanna be better than I already was, I looked up to everything you did. Everybody goes on about role models and you really were mine Jamal. I'll always regret never telling you that through fear of being called moist, but deep down I think you already knew. It's the little things I miss the most really, the hours we wasted in lessons talking nonsense, the train journeys to school, the feeling of getting home knowing my whatsapp notifications would be popping because you were always there on the other end. I miss it all. It's been almost two years since you left us and I still think about you every day. Every great experience I have, I think of how much I want you there with me by my side. All the foolish  antics I get up to and mistakes I make, I think about what you'd do to give me a kick up the a*rse. you'll always be there bro and I'm so thankful for that. Whenever I think back to those times with you I can't help but smile. I'd give anything to do it all over again. I love you bro, rest easy x Sean

Happy 19th Jamal. I still think about you all the time and I'm just blessed to have made so many memories with you during the 6 years I knew you. This photo is from the fashion and talent show right after we did the p**** and h**** segment. I remember us getting so gassed to coming out to Ima boss, and literallly practicing for hours in the History block. You were always so full of life and eager to showcase your talents and make everyone around you better. When Ima boss hit and we both came out through the back it was honestly one of the best moments of my life. We both gassed up the crowd together but afterwards all you were worried about was that your chain came up across your face when we were dancing. But you did good man. You were the heart and soul of fashion and talent and without you it would have never been the same. You're always in my heart Jamal, have a good birthday up there, I love you bro.

Jamal my dearest Son , 
What can I say than it is not the same without you. Thanks for coming into our lives 19 years ago. It would have been wonderful if you stayed longer than the 17 years of your wonderful memories but hmm , Allah knows best. We thank Allah for you being part of our family. We can never forget you and we will always celebrate you.  Miss you so so much , I miss my partner in eating most of the food .   May your soul continue to rest in perfect peace . Lots of hugs, love & kisses from all of us  XXX  Enjoy your birthday in heaven. 

We miss you!

Like other boys his age in 2007 -2009, Jamal had a PS2 and would “brash” anyone at Pro Evo or Fifa. He had started playing the guitar in year 5 at Eliot Bank School and continued to hone those skills through the next few years. He was determined to learn how to play Ben E. King’s ‘Stand By Me’ and he spent many hours perfecting the song, which would become one of the records associated with him. Whilst at Eliot Bank, Jamal went on his first residential trip to Arethusa, which was widely anticipated by Eliot Bank students every year. The trip saw him take on several challenges through kayaking, trekking and having to complete many character building obstacle courses at great heights. The trip proved a “sick” holiday with all of his closest friends from school.

Jamal also spent a considerable amount of time studying, doing 11+ examination preparation and Kumon. Studying both Maths and English, Jamal did particularly well in Maths, to achieve G-Primary in Maths in year 6. However, not only was he a Kumon student, he was his mum’s little helper, spending many hours picking Kumon sheets for his mother’s students and assisting however he could to run the weekly Kumon drop- in sessions.  

In the summer of 2009, Jamal went to Disneyland Paris with his extended family and siblings for the second time. Jamal loved the trip and was too excited at the prospect of going away – he was too “gassed”.

He deserved it, he had worked hard and had excelled in entrance exams for Whitgift, Wallington and Wilson Secondary schools.  He was initially keen on attending Wilson’s Grammar school but after weighing the options, the family decided that he should attend Wallington County Grammar School. Though a committed member of the WCGS community, Jamal maintained links with Wilson’s through his secondary school years and had close friends in both schools.

His summer before secondary school started was spent with extended family. Jamal and his immediate family visited the Adeyemi’s in Aberdeen, Scotland. Jamal had a lovely time seeing how much his baby cousin Fola had grown and having fun with the family. He also spent time with the Comla’s,  who came to London on vacation.  Both family’s enjoyed trips to Buckingham Palace and to Trafalgar Square.

When he started WCGS, the family were living in Thornton Heath. Jamal and his sister, Zainab, had gotten closer through the years. He and his sister used to get the bus to school and unlike other siblings, they hardly argued and formed a strong bond. For a term, he stayed back after school telling his sister that he had to stay behind for some extra-curricular activities. In reality, he had been staying after school to paint a portrait of his sister which he surprised her with on her 14th birthday.

At WCGS Jamal was in 7C and on review of his academic year, he received many commendation letters detailing his achievements. His autumn progress report is particularly impressive where he achieved 11 commendations. Some of the commendation letters are in the gallery section. He was also one of two year 7 students that gave a speech at the WCGS Open Day that year.

Always a keen sportsman, Jamal’s first love was football. He enjoyed playing it and loved watching football games with his dad. Manchester United was his club of choice and he supported Man U with an unwavering passion. He started playing with Lewisham Youth F.C. in 2009. He was described as “a real workhorse… a pleasure to work with, with a great attitude”. Apart from football, he got involved in most sports, including rugby and athletics. He took part in the Sutton Borough Athletics Competition from year 7 until year 10. He came 4th out of 180, in the year 7 assault course that took part on Friday 23rd of October 2009 and helped his house (Carew) win the event. He was also on reporting duties for the day, below is an excerpt from his report in the WCGS News:

“There were boys slipping and sliding into the small pond and struggling to get up. Teachers were taking pictures and cheering everyone on. There were boos from boys against their opposing houses and cheers from those supporting their own house.

Smiles filled the faces of the Year 7 students… even those who didn’t win.”

Best wishes to all our Sons & Daughters today for your A level results and your Uni destination . I know and believe you will all make us proud. If by any chance you didn't get what you want, one thing I can guarantee is there is still hope as the saying "when there is life there is hope " . Don't give up , pursue your dreams . Best wishes & God bless . xxx

Hmmmm cannot but mention Jammy Dodger, trust you would have made us proud today , I have been down from the beginning of this week thinking I would have been anxious for your results but otherwise missing your presence and your personality, your dreams but thankful it could be worse . Missing you loads today and forever. May your soul continue to rest in peace and enjoy Uni heaven -:(    xxx

My dear family & friends Ameen to all your prayers . Thanks a million for all your likes , wishes , prayers ,phone messages , phone calls & visits . Thanks for all the support you have given us during this difficult 1 year . We do appreciate you all. I will also like to say special big thanks to our parent colleagues that helped us to raise these lovely children of Dapo & Lolade Ottun , honestly words cannot express how we appreciate these extra ordinary children , they have been always there with us from day 1 . Thanks a million to you all our sons and daughters some of you couldn't make it on 12.07.16 , we still appreciate you all for all your support & love .Thank you so much , we pray for more successful years for everyone of you . God bless you all and your loved ones XXX

I've had to learn to make do without you, and I've hated that I've had to, because I never, EVER thought that I would had to. It seems weird now to think of the times when we would talk about when we both were going to be older, have jobs, have kids, and become aunties and uncles, watch Rahmat grow up, see our family expand from our generation, and just enjoy the fruits of life. You were always my one constant; you were the one person that I always knew was by my side for as long as I could remember. And now I have to carry on without you man. Which is so hard, and so unfair. But I'll continue. Partly because I know now more than ever to make the most of life, but also because you'd want me to.

I miss you so much man. Rest well

It makes us sad to know that you didn't meet your cousin, but he joins us in ensuring your memory will live on. We'll love you forever. We'll take you with us wherever we go.

Love, 

Farouk, Linda and Ayotunde Olubajo. 

During Ramadan, once we'd woken up to eat , me and Jamal would sometimes be left in the kitchen and start playing around.He'd be playing music and teaching me dances, we'd start reciting raps of latest songs and laughing at lyrics and the way we'd 'perform'. We'd gas ourselves up at 3am in the morning knowing we had school in four hours just because it was the best feeling. These were some of the last moments I shared with just him and I treasure them so much, reminiscing each time one of those songs come on. I'm eternally grateful that these last memories were happy, gassed and hysterical since now that's what dominantly comes to my mind when I think of him.

My Dearest Jamal , 

Exactly 18years ago at 2.46pm I gave birth to you a beautiful soul.  I thank you for your beautiful memories and legacy.  I am always proud of you .  Thank you for coming to our lives .  We all celebrate you today as it is your 18th aniversary of your birth.  Rest in perfect peace Jamzy 
lots of love , miss you loads  

'I remember the induction BBQ like it was yesterday. This gassed individual with his Michael Jackson haircut just walking up to me and putting his arm around me (and thinking as he would say 'do I know you like that?') being like 'Are you Nigerian or Ghanaian?' And from then, I knew there was about to be a problem. He still won't accept the fact that Ghanaian Jollof is MILES better but imma let that slide. I remember when school started and everyday we would come back home, talking on the phone for ages until my mum got pissed because the bill was going up. I remember the conversations we had when you got me gassed for each House Music, with you being like 'AH ITS GONNA BE SO SICK' and then you always getting a sore throat before the performance but then always having such crisp and perfect vocals for the real thing and always pulling it off like a trooper. I remember arguing about absolutely nothing 365 days a year but always chilling by the end of the day and chilling back on the 468. I remember how much advice and encouragement you gave me when you saw others treat me badly, and I remember how much you had my back. This really isn't enough to explain how I feel and whilst I hear all these stories all over the news, nothing is registering and it doesn't really make sense to me. Jamal man, it really hasn't sunk in. Nothing feels the same. You were the happiest person I've ever encountered in my life. And whilst we're all so devastated to no longer be in your presence, I'm so glad that you really made the most of every situation. That to me is a successful life. I can't get over the fact that the last time I saw you was at the LSE open day. You had so much going for you man. So intelligent, so dedicated and so determined to whatever it was. I've never seen someone so sociable and so inspirational. Every person he met saw something different, and just hearing about the amount of people you've had an effect on is such a testament to that. You really were that guy that everyone wanted to emulate. I'm so grateful for the fact that I got to spend so many great moments with you man, and I'm so sorry I couldn't be there more for you. I really do love you man. You're my brother from another mother and I'm so proud of you for being such an impactful human being. It's been an honour for you even to let me into your life. I'm so sorry that the rest of the world didn't get to experience it, and truly they weren't ready. I see you moonwalking your way to heaven's gates and whilst we remain here, I know you'll be watching (and probably saying 'ayy don't watch that' every 2 minutes) Love you so much bro. There will never be another. JO forever.'

I remember seeing Jamal come in to the gym with a group of 6th formers. We were doing our own thing. Then they started doing bench press, then it became a competition among them. 

They continued doing more and more weights, then they broke up and went to do their own thing. We always meet in the gym

Prayers for you and your family. 

Anonymous Year 10.

There are so many memorable stories to tell about Jamal but none can properly express how much he means to our family. In the last couple of weeks, we have heard from many people about how he has had such a positive impact on their lives.  He has been an inspiration to so many of his friends and school mates.
  
To us, his family, he will always be "our Jamal", our funny, cheeky, son, brother, grandson and nephew.  He made us laugh, brought smiles to our faces and warmth into our hearts.


Like any parent, Jamal's mum (my sister) would talk to me and my brothers about her children. With Jamal, however, she always said she hardly worried about him.  He was doing fine and she was very proud of him.  And that's how I would like to remember Jamal - he was independent and more than capable.  I truly believe that whereever you are Jamal, you are more than holding your own, excelling as you always do in whatever you do and with your characteristic smile. 


So Jamal, my nephew, my brother, my heart, this is not goodbye but farewell until we meet again.  I will always remember and love you.  Although you are not here in person, your spirit will continue to shine in our hearts, giving us laughter, warmth and happiness as you did during these last 17 years.

Tolu   


    

Jamal I am proud to have known you and been a part of your family. We have all gone through various emotional motions: wishing its a bad dream etc

But we cannot question the ways of Allah Almighty. Family gatherings/ life will never be the same without you. But we will relive the beautiful moments and times spent.  Your little cousin Wola was emotional and cried as he does have some awareness of the meaning of people passing on.

We will tell Fola about you and what a lovely talented young man you were ! 

Sleep on, It is well!

Jamal, you were like a son to me even though I never got to see you often.  I will always cherish the last time I saw you, a couple of months ago at the awards; you had such positive vibes when I spoke to you.

It has been privilege to have known such an exemplary and talented young man. You were an inspiration and role model to your family, your friends and my family and touched many lives. You impacted many in ways that most of us would only dream of.

I thank God for the life you spent. I pray that everything you were destined to achieve and accomplish, your siblings will achieve much more. I pray God will forgive you any sins and receive you into his kingdom. I pray God will shine perpetual light on you forever.  I pray that God will give your family the fortitude to bear this and may he continue to strengthen, uphold and console your family. 

Your legacy lives on Jamal, you are gone but never forgotten and you will be sorely missed and forever be in our hearts. I will always remember your smile which was infectious. Without a shadow of a doubt, I know heaven has gained an Angel - Jamal.

Continue to rest in heaven, watch over your family, friends and Drake.

Sun re O

Kike Akinyemi & family 

In the 10 months that I knew you Jamal you had such a huge impact on my life to the stage where you became one of my best friends. The first time I met you and you hated the fact you had to carry my bag as I was on crutches still makes me laugh. I feel like that scenario displayed part of the person you were no matter how much you did not want to do something if it was helping others you would do it. Our daily conversations about instagram will be missed forever, I have no one to advise me on what to upload now. Just the other day we had a conversation about confidence which will remain in my heart forever. Jamal you touched my life in such a huge way and I never actually got tell you but I guess we both knew that end of the day we were there for one another displayed by our countless phone calls that even my mum, who did not know who I was on the phone to could eventually tell it was you by the way I was laugh and talking.. You picked me up when I was down,, you took the mick out of me daily, you made me laugh, thought I was whipped but all of those factors and more made our friendship one of a kind. No one can fill the hole you have left in my heart Jamal, how was I speaking to you the Sunday you fell asleep forever? I will treasure that conversation and,in fact,  all of our conversations forever. Jamal, drake noticed you. Heightening that special person that you are. I love you Jamal and will miss you until the day I come to be with you. RIP Jammy.

"Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return"

You were always lovely and playful with the kids and met people with a smile. A respectful, joyous and ambitious young man, the outpouring of messages since this terrible news broke has shown what an exceptional young man you are and your sudden passing has been devastating to all who knew you. We pray Allah grant you the highest levels of paradise and may he give the family the strength to bear this immense loss.

Love from Deen, Bolanle, Fadheela, Fareedha & Farah

For me to even attempt to describe all that we have gone through would be near impossible. Together since year 7, we have faced the world, always sticking together and always motivating each other. We both had such high ambitions and both worked so hard to achieve our goals. I remember the night of results day when you stayed round mine and we were distraught about our results, but it was you who picked me up and told me that this was only a sign that we have to try even harder next time. You were always so positive and brought joy to all those around you. You were the life of every party we went to and the heart of every talk we had. For my 16th birthday, before we went to see Drake, you wrote me a card telling me how lucky you are to have a friend like me. The reality was the reverse, it was me who was so blessed and fortunate to have known and been close to such a kind hearted, funny and loving person like you. For me, my fondest memories aren’t the ones where we were excited and gassed for a big motive, they are the ones where we were just chilling in my house, talking, playing ps3 and just being family. That’s what you will always remain to me, my family. Whilst you were taken far too early from us, we will continue your legacy and make you proud as you watch us in a better place. My life will never be the same without you with me and I will love you forever. Forever your brother, Nabeel.

I've been putting this off for some time jamal, putting our 4 years into words is an impossibility I cant bear to face. You would disapprove of the whole thing. The joy you took in lamenting on defeating life's obstacles whilst i prefered to defer any difficulties to a later date is just one way in which we were complete opposites, and naturally we bickered like siblings constantly. There are so many debates left unresolved and I maintain that Kanye will not play at reading, you look better without facial hair and that your missing nature valley bars have nothing to do with me. One of few times we spent at peace and my favourite memory of you is that thursday by the fountain just before my 16th birthday. You bought me a card covered in jam having sat on ur bag earlier in the day, forgetting it also contained a fair few doughnuts. We nibbled on chocolates and shared our secrets. The day thursday became a recurrent theme in our friendship and another won't pass without me remembering you. Before you left you told me to look after Sean and I will, be it the worst care he'll ever have to endure, for your sake I won't let him down. There are a thousand stories i could tell and my worst fear is forgetting them all, from the time spent on numerous skype calls, stealing your pens and messing up your fresh trims. We had a rollercoaster friendship my brother but one we would never choose to get off. I miss you, all my love V-T

Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!! Allahu Akbar!!!, La Hawla wa La Quwata iLLa billah Lazeem. Subhanallah wa bi Hamdihi Subhana Llahil Lazeem.
 

It is incredible to see me writing a tribute for my GRANDSON -  JAMAL OLUWAFOLAJIMI.

In the 17 years you were with us, you achieved more than the average 17 year old.  I turned 70 a couple of months ago but I am yet to achieve 1% of what your achievements. 


What can I write or say about you?  To write that I am devastated is an understatement but I find it difficult to express my feelings.The best I can think of is to continue to thank Almighty Allah for a good life "well spent". 


"JAMAL YI DA - WHERE IS JAMAL, EMI YE - HERE I AM" (THE WAY I USED TO CALL & YOUR ANSWER"  When can I hear that voice again???.


No amount of tears can bring you back to our midst again but we all take solace in Almighty Allah and to grant you etenal rest in Aljahna.
 
 REST IN PERFECT PEACE FROM YOUR GRANDMA (as mentinoned in your last message to me on my birthday celebration - "A.K.A. BUSSY NOBLE - MUM PLEASE DON'T SLAP ME FOR CALLING HER BUSSY NOBLE"). 

LOADS OF LOVE.   
       

I just wanted to say how deeply sorry I am to hear of this sad loss. Jamal was an incredibly polite and lovely young person. I remember bringing my own son, D'andre to Kumon lessons and coming to your home for extra tuiton and I always admired how wonderful Jamal was and I would hope D'andre would carry himself in a similar manner. I can't imagine how the Ottun family is coping but I just want you all to know we are here for you. This is devastating news and our hearts go out to the whole family. Laboni and D'andre