HONESTDEAL INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED
TRIBUTE TO OUR BRIGADIER-GENERAL KOFFI FIDELIS (RTD)
In the words of the French Emperor, Napoleon 1, Men are powerless to secure the future; institutions alone fix the destiny of all Nations.
In this tribute, we want to say, Men are powerless to secure life, and God alone fixes the destiny of all lives. Brigadier-General Koffi Fidelis was for many years our client directly and indirectly. My company handles his insurance matters and I saw him last on 24th January 2023 when I asked him about his health, he responded “ I thank God I am a bit better, but my energy is nowhere near its usual self. However, I believe in the Lord that very soon in His own time, He will take me there.”
I told him Papa, you’re going to be around for us because you haven’t seen my grandson yet and we both laughed over the joke. But on this particular day I called him for an appointment to see him but he wasn’t picking his calls and knowing Papa well you dare not visit him if you’re not on an appointment. Alas, I was shocked when the news of his passage to glory was broken to me by my sister who resides in Aguda, Surulere on February 27th February, 2023.
For over the years of relating with him, I found in him, a personality that doesn’t ignore the smallest detail. He pays diligent attention to all business aspects to ensure quality service. He was a strict disciplinarian but at the same time, he is as gentle as a dove. In him, I found and imbibed the “ CAN DO IT ” attitude to every challenge. He had that sweet and subtle way of passing instructions that you cannot but help carry out. The General taught me that leadership begins with having a good heart, which in turn produces burdens that generate the passion that will sharpen the vision.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, at Capernaum, called his Twelve disciples and sounded a note of warning that “if anyone wants to be first, he must make himself the servant of all,” meaning we should go back to service positions. Positions may give us recognition in the world but service marks us out as citizens of heaven. General Koffi Fidelis was a candidate for heaven through his selfless service to her family, relations, friends, and professional colleagues in particular, and humanity in general. I am assured that our Papa is now a citizen of heaven.
St Augustine said, “When you work, work as though everything depends on you.” Yes, he worked because everything and every one of us depended on him.
In conclusion, we want to say that, striking a balance between our work and rest is commendable. Even God at creation rested on the seventh day. On the 26th February, 2023, Brigadier-General Koffi Fidelis our Papa, finally rested.
Though he may have left us for the great beyond, the sweet memories of his sojourn on earth will continue to linger on for a very long time.
To our Mama, the children and grand-children, great grand-children, families, relations and friends, we the staff of Honestdeal Insurance Brokers Limited identify with you in this period of grief and pray the Almighty to give all of us the strength to bear this loss.
May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
Amen.
Ben Oluwafemi Sedonu
Managing Director/Chief Executive