GOOD NIGHT MY FRIEND AND BROTHER [A.Y.O]
Ayo Ogunmoyero aka A.Y.O, and I met in the sanctuary of AVMCC Ikeja and eventually in the Fountain of Hope Society (FOH). At that time we were all young and hustling. He and his partner Fola Alonge made a success of their partnership and Real Estate business. It is a testimony that it is one of the few partnerships that endured with time in Nigeria. I never heard any negative report or sharp practices.
In the FOH, we were our brothers keepers and looked out for each other. We were one big and happy family. I was proud of the fellowship at that time. His family was my family. When Ayo had his son, he and Funke his adorable wife picked me to be the Godfather of Ayotunde, who has since grown to be a young adult. We flocked together like brothers. When he lost his father I accompanied him to Ondo and we camped out the night in Ondo township. That was the time he was building his friendship with Mimiko who was then a commissioner.
When I moved out of Ikeja, we kept in touch and when his friend Mimiko became the Governor in Ondo, I knew that it was only a matter of time before he entered politics or politics entered him. One day my other friend and brother Olakunke Sodipo [Pen Shop] and Ayo all sat down over lunch at Ikoyi Club, before he eventually went to work for Mimiko as a technocrat and politician. I particularly recall teasing him that if he messes up he will come back to meet us. We lost touch after that.
When I turned 50, Ayo left Ondo to come and honor me in Lagos, one look at him during the service, and I noticed he was not looking his regular self. Even though Ayo had always looked “gonogono”, but this time it was obvious that there was more to his appearance. I pulled him aside and told him that we needed to talk. By the following morning, he had returned to Ondo and I never got to reach him. I wanted to deliver just one message “ take care of yourself.”
I was constantly monitoring his progress through Pen Shop. When he came to the USA, I still could not have access to him and I was naturally upset. One day he left a voice message for me at home in a frail voice, and I returned his call expressing my annoyance, I told him that “Ayo, you are part of my A list of friends, and I can’t reach you”. I recall him telling me that he had died and God told him it was not time. He said “ Bimbo, please thank Funke for me anytime you see her”. Funke Thank you. “Omo a toju iwo no”
After that he continued to recuperate. At a point, I rang his son, my Godson and told him to arrange dinner for the 3 of us in Philly. He told me Ayo had just returned to Lagos and he was back in school. I got another note about 2 weeks ago that he was back in the hospital in Philly. This time I was determined to reach him. His son encouraged me to see him and gave me his address. By this time, his wife was boarding her flight in Lagos and we all agreed to meet in the hospital the following morning.
I headed for Church on the Sunday morning to say a prayer for my friend before heading out to Philly with my wife. He was on admission at UPenn Hospital. When I entered his room I saw he was not in good condition. I went outside almost immediately. His wife summoned me back assuring me that nothing will happen to him. “ Ani ko ni ku se” Funke’s has faith.
At that hospital on that day, I met a childhood friend of Ayo, Alhaji Fatai Akinwande, a resident of Philly. Alhaji, if you are reading this tribute i wish to thank you once again. Friends like you are very rare. He stood by his friend together with his wife in the room to the end and he was briefing me outside from time to time. At a point he came to sit for a long time with my wife and I outside. He was hurt and I was hurt.
Ayo, you are such a simple, gentle and unassuming man with a disarming smile. I bear testimony that you can’t hurt a fly. You and your partner Fola did some Real Estate consultancy for me and it is a tribute to our friendship that you always accorded me that respect and concession. You both never hassled me for payments, and you were always generous to me. You and Fola have special places for me in your hearts. A.Y.O you are “Egin” man , and I am Ijebu, but we shared this special connect, and you fondly called me “Bimbustic my brother”. To me you are A.Y.O
You left too many people behind to mourn you, and judging by the tribute and testimonies you touched the lives of so many people. You have finished the race. Rest in peace my brother A.Y.O.
To Funke, you did your best, I salute you and God will give you the strength to be the father and mother to your children. It shall be well with you my sister and the children.
Abimbola Okulaja wrote from Princeton NJ.
bimbookulaja@gmail.com
