CHIEF JUDGE ISAAC BABATUNDE DELANO.
TRIBUTE BY ENGR. IFEDAYO AKINTUNDE.
Ha! Tunde!! So, it is I that have to write a tribute to you as goodbye on departure from this plane of existence. Divine overruling has vetoed human contemplations. He that must be obeyed has decreed the order of things, and the matter is put to rest.
Tunde, many times we loosely discussed the order in which we would prefer our silver chords to be cut. You always opted for number one, giving reasons. I always gave superior reasons why it could not, and should not, be so. The Supreme Being, our Almighty Father, has ruled in your favour. Praise His holy name.
One aspect we did not consider was the feeling of the person whose silver chord was not cut first: and that unresolved knot has become relevant now. You are resting in peace; we remain to mourn your departure. So, let it be. Continue to rest in peace. We continue to rest in the hope that we shall meet again according to the promise of Jesus to all Believers
Tunde, you will be missed by various individuals and groups. Who can count their number? And who can enumerate the worth of your goodness to them? Take, for example, this Chief S. Ade. Ojo Estate, Old Ife Road, Ibadan, where you have been living for the last 50 years. On at least two occasions your family built 50 metres length of solid block wall security/ perimeter fence, which cost you but you did it for all of us. For the last 25 years or so you have topped up your monthly contribution for estate maintenance by 50%, not minding that some members were not paying. And anytime there was a need for emergency action, you were never found to drag your feet. We need not recount the numerous occasions you took unilateral actions to defend the interests of the Estate!
Most of the landlords on the Estate bought their plots there on your invitation, recommendation, or promptings, which accorded you the status of de facto landlord of the Estate. Moreover, you were one of the first two households that first physically moved to the site. You played the role of de facto chairman with distinction and dexterity.
God gave you a gift in the person of Ebun, your wife from Day One. She had been your “jewel of inestimable value” {courtesy Chief Obafemi Awolowo}, and had deservingly been nicknamed the “precious divine gift to the Delano family.” She joined hands with you to institute what probably could pass as a model of Chief Judge Isaac Babatunde Delano married home for young couples venturing into marriage.
As short as this Tribute is planned to be, it cannot avoid a mention of the burning passions of the Delanos. These are donating of buildings to churches and education and employment of children from families of slender means, irrespective of tribe or religion.
If all the people assisted in this manner are assembled, they will populate a small village.
Tunde…. adieu, sleep on in blissful rest. You have left a good legacy; you have fought a good fight.
Ebun, there had been good wives. You surpass them all.
Yejide, Fola, Mobola, Lola – Keep the Delano Flag flying.