TRIBUTE TO MY LATE BROTHER ADETUNJI OLUFEMI OYENUSI.
Dear brother, your untimely death is a big blow to us all. I am yet to come to terms with the fact that you're gone forever. Growing up with you, Adebowale and Adeola was a lot of fun. We all acted like same age group. Learnt a lot growing up from you and Debo. You both gave me confidence in myself for we came from a modest family and I did remember the children of the rich and famous were constantly hanging around both of you. Egbon mi, you taught me how to dress. When Sister Deola left for Scotland, and Debo and you left for the US, I felt abandoned and lonely even though I was already a Law major at Lagos State University. For those years, I was separated from Debo and yourself, you both made sure I never lacked good things. My coming to the US was possible with you and Debo's help. The three of us were so close and look alike that people used to mix us up. My friends call us the 3 Musketeers. Traveling from New Jersey to Maryland by road just to be with you at least twice in a month I did cherish back then.
As I began to reach out for the right words to express my thought about my immediate Senior Brother Adetunji , I remembered the many valued roles he played through out his life.
Adetunji was a family man. He loved his family profoundly. He was a devoted husband/father/Uncle/Brother and a friend
He was a comfort for our folks when they were alive. He was so devoted to them that I felt it was ok to sneak out of the house. I knew they will not miss me so long as he was around. He was very respectful and caring. Adetunji took all of the roles in his life to heart and strove to honor, support, guide and protect his family. He was at his happiest, when he was surrounded by his family- even during those tough times that life has a way of throwing at you. His devotion to God and his family was the foundation of his actions that defined and shaped his life
Adetunji, the friend. He was my a good friend to so many. He could be counted on and depended on always. A Simple guy with an empathetic ear, a shoulder to lean on, companionable silence, a listener and a good fun to be around. My brother, Adetunji was remarkable in many ways. He lived a well meaningful life and touched so many people during his time here with us. A lot of Nigerians became home owners in Maryland, District of Colombia, Virginia bought home thru his help. One incident I will forever hold with me was what his high school mate at Government College Ibadan Late Wale Aboderin (Chairman Punch Newspaper) told me about Adetunji when I got to Nigeria and went to see him, he said Tunji was instrumental largely to most of his success in life. He called him a very brilliant guy when they were in school, always ready to assist and a socialite. He told me his folks loved Tunji so much that he was like a blood brother.
My brother lived a principled life underpinned by a strong sense of right and wrong.. Adetunji was a respected citizen of Nigeria by birth and an American by naturalization. As an Architect and a realtor, he shared his expertise with anyone that would listen. Worked hard and was instrumental in designs of some parks in Maryland. My brother never stopped learning. He led by example and mentored his Nephews and Nieces and his own children in a way that anyone of them can say that he was an inspiration in their lives.
Adetunji s life I find most memorable is the role that spirituality played in his life. My brother lived his God. I remembered going for a Bible leadership training with him and his wife years back in US. He was a true Christian and a Church deacon. He strove always to be the best he could be- family man, entrepreneur, Brother, friend and champion to others.
A week before his demise, we already thought we lost him. Adetunji came back strong, two days later. I remembered the video call I had with him 2 days later. He was up on his sick bed smiling at me. Spoke eloquently on the phone. Was shocked when I received a call from his wife Morenike in the early hours on the 8th of June, 2021 that he's gone to rest.
Egbon mi, Adetunji Olufemi Oyenusi. It is hard to say goodbye, I will just say so-long. The pages of your book will never be closed, just as the pages of Dad and Mom are not close. You were a great loving Brother and a friend. Your passing away to eternity is still difficult for me to handle.
May God grant you eternal rest till we meet again.
Your brother,
Adeniyi Tunde Oyenusi