Jimi was more than an ordinary friend. He was my school daughter's (Sade) brother and because of that link, we were quite close for a while. We were all in ISI together and we lived a walking distance from each other in Surulere, Lagos when we were younger and I often visited them. So it was not surprising when Jimi called me late one night while we were both in England (he was in a 6th Form school in Bradford then), to say he and some of his friends were stuck in London with no where to stay that night. They had come straight from school. At that time, my over-protective mum was there when I received the call and I had the job of convincing her to let them spend the night with us even though I only knew Jimi and not his mates. There must have been something about Jimi she trusted.

Jimi,

This isn't goodbye, know that you are loved and never alone. My love will always be with you and I know that heaven accepts you now that you are home. You have touched many lives with your presence on earth and for that, you will be remembered. I will  hold on to the memories of us. Your smile and kind heart have made you a part of every memory. Rest in peace my friend.

Tania.