Great men come in different packages ... one thing that's unique to them is their heart; it's warmth and it's giving. Pa Akanni .Y. Junaid was a great man with a massive heart. Your good deeds and lives you touched will forever trail in your wake.Some people pass through life without leaving a footprint, Elder Junaid left a road map.He was posted to Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro as a Mathematics teacher where he rose to the post of the Head of Department of Mathematics in 1979 and was also made the House Master of Blue House in 1977. I was privileged like so many others to have been a student in his Mathematics and Additional Mathematics (now called further-Maths) classes and a member of the Blue House during his tenure as the House-Master. 

As an accomplished educationist with specialty in Educational Planning and Administration majoring in Mathematics and Physics, Pa Junaid made the learning of Further-Maths so easy to comprehend that majority of his students excelled even better at it than the ordinary Maths. Elder JUNAID, was a lover of sports, during his tenure as the House Master, the prestigious Blue House won the School’s overall Inter-House Sports in 1978 and 1979 respectively. He will surely be missed by all of us for his good deeds, and we will always remember his steadfastness, firmness and fairness, forever in our hearts for he made us the successful men/women we are today.

They say do not weep for a good person whose soul has passed on, especially one who has lived a fulfilling life. A few months ago, I was present with other Compronians to celebrate his 80th birthday with him. So we do not weep for you, our mentor, a father, a leader, a groomer, an educator, and much more. It is said that “man dies twice”, the day he died and the day people stop talking about him. We know for sure that Elder Akanni Yahaya Junaid will live a lot longer because of the way he touched so many lives. We celebrate you and shall continue to do so. The Alumni of Comprehensive High School Ayetoro, especially 1973/1978 set, will not forget you.You will remain in our hearts and in the annals of our history.

Pa Akanni. Y. Juniad “You can never die in our hearts" We say sleep well and REST IN PEACE PAAKANNI.Y. JUNAID.Delivered On behalf of Alumni of Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro 1973/1978 set 

Last Tuesday, my dad passed away. He wasn’t sick; he had just finished his regular Tuesday workout (walking) with my mum at the stadium. She was stretching with the rest of the fitness group when they suddenly heard a loud bang, and saw that he had slumped backwards, hitting his head on the ground. Everyone rushed to his side and tried to resuscitate him but he was unresponsive. It was very quick. Whether he lost consciousness or had a cardiac attack (no history of this), is uncertain...maybe it was just his time.

I don’t fear a lot of things in life but losing a parent, especially one that I am very close to has lingered. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been learning to embrace impermanence. Now that’s being tested - I’m learning to sit with grief, face my fears and feel everything. I’m taking things one day at a time and focusing on celebrating his legacy. 

My dad was someone who gave his all for his family. He understood what it meant to be a partner in marriage. He knew when to put ego aside, advocate for peace and adapt in his role. Whether it was teaching me how to cook when my mum was in another country for work,getting me sorted out when I hit puberty or flying back to the UK when I was alone to giveemotional support and help me at a transitory period. He protected us fiercely but also knew when to discipline with his quiet humility. And he loved my mum and accepted her fully in all her strength and imperfections. My lovely children (as I fondly called them), were like peas in a pod, finishing each other’s sentences and doing everything together. 

I take comfort in knowing that he was at a place of fulfillment about his legacy and impact on his family. I also take comfort that we all got to celebrate his 80th birthday in Jan, and he was very happy to see all his children & grandchildren. I’ll always remember your wise words my Jumjum, your jovial spirit and how excellent you are at calming my storms. Thank you for your courage, your unconditional love and empathy. My lovely boy, you’ve touched my soul in ways no man has. I’ll miss you a lot and will always keep you in my heart.

I had the opportunity and rare privilege of being the wife and partner to this wonderful, loving, kind and God-fearing man. Life could not have been better than that because I was living every woman’s dreams. Although we had our problems like every family, making up and resolving our issues was magical. He was a great communicator and patient husband who knew how to resolve conflicts well. I was blessed with the best husband and father to all my children.

That fateful day, Tuesday, 10th March 2020 when you departed, is still very fresh and painful. I watched as the love of my life was taken away from me in a matter of seconds. You were my soul mate, my twin and inspiration – my steadfast rock that helped me through thick and thin. You understood the true meaning of marriage and always stood by me in partnership. With your courage, you did everything possible to protect me against all sorts of defamation. With your patience, you brought out the best parts of me. And with your love, you supported me in my career and helped shape our children to become the individuals they are today.

In addition to being a loving husband and father, your kindness also extended to all those who knew you. Daddy was a wonderful grandfather, a friend in need and a beacon of hope, even to strangers. His ability to make everyone feel comfortable, secure and loved were his greatest strengths. He supported and loved us all and was always there to help us navigate through life’s challenges. Words cannot express how much I will miss him. It has been 38 years since we met and got married, and I look back over those years with so much happiness. He was always such a gentleman – well-mannered and polite but would often make witty remarks. His jovial spirit and good nature attracted people whenever he walked into a room and no one could forget or stop laughing at his funny tales.

• He was a man of the people  • A man who stood by his family throughout his life • A man who loved unconditionally • A man who believed in sharing and caring • A man who put a smile on people’s faces • A man who was so full of life till his last minute here on earth

Daddy, your life taught me unconditional love and your death taught me kindness. I amgrateful that I had the opportunity to share in your dreams, love and friendship. The children and I will always remember and pray for the repose of your soul. Your last words to me on the pitch on that fateful day still echo in my ears and I will always remember them, until we meet to part no more. You will always be in my heart, and the love I have for you will never ever die.

Adieu my darling husband! Your loving wife and friend,