Tribute to My Mentor – Engr. D. A. Oni
It is with great honor that I stand before you to pay tribute to this great mentor of mine that I regard as a mighty oak.
We met last on Friday September 23rd at the funeral service of late Mr. Akin Adesokan. We sat together in the church and after service he dragged me with him to extend pleasantries to our former colleagues at WAPCO, Little did I know that would be our last meeting and interaction.
My association with him dates back to my days as Management Trainee and subsequent roles at PPD, a subsidiary of WAPCO over 33 years ago. He was then the GM. He believed so much in me to the extent that when the company had some difficulties at her Jos Sales Area, even though a management trainee, he drafted me to Jos for about 4 weeks to resolve the issues and put the sales territory back on track.
When it became apparent that a new Area Sales Manager needed to be appointed for the Sales territory, he did not hesitate to appoint me to the position.
It is therefore not an understatement to say that he was instrumental to cutting my professional teeth. I owe this to him and would be eternally grateful for he was a beacon of light and source of inspiration to me in my professional career.
He was an urbane gentleman, who possessed great ethical standard. I was privileged to interact with him for a long time and this affected my life positively through his life style, great intellect and sterling qualities. He was very hard working, caring and a very thoughtful man.
Distinguished ladies & gentlemen, I cannot tell the story of this man in one day. He came to this world, he saw and he conquered in all his endeavors.
Posterity cannot forget him in a hurry. He will continue to live not only in the hearts of a great majority of those who came across him, but also those he touched their lives. His demise was quite sudden, but we cannot question the Almighty Father for taking him away at the age of 72 years.
May God in his infinite mercy grant him eternal peace in his bosom.
May the good Lord also grant the family he left behind the strength and fortitude to bear the great loss.
As William Shakespeare said:
“If we meet again…
Then we shall smile…
But if not…
This parting is well made”
Adieu! Adieu! Adieu! My great mentor. Rest in perfect peace!
Bala Yesufu
Director, Corporate & Government Affairs (West Africa) Cadbury Nigeria Plc