TRIBUTE TO PRINCE ADEYEMI AFEFULUr MFR

By VICTOR YOMI SONEYE

To be sure, the passing of Prince Adeyemi Adefulu to glory on Saturday, April 20 is a great loss to us all.

The Prince was a man of extraordinary intellect, warmth, kindness and deep compassion, qualities which I believe, sustained our friendship of over fifty years.

One could discuss virtually any subject with the Prince. He was the big brother that I never had, and I shall miss him tremendously.

May good Lord grant peace and mercy to Olori (Mrs) Lolade Adefulu and to their wonderful children at this challenging time.

May the Prince’s noble soul rest in eternal peace; Amen

TRIBUTE TO PRINCE ADEYEMI AFEFULUr MFR

By VICTOR YOMI SONEYE

To be sure, the passing of Prince Adeyemi Adefulu to glory on Saturday, April 20 is a great loss to us all.

The Prince was a man of extraordinary intellect, warmth, kindness and deep compassion, qualities which I believe, sustained our friendship of over fifty years.

One could discuss virtually any subject with the Prince. He was the big brother that I never had, and I shall miss him tremendously.

May good Lord grant peace and mercy to Olori (Mrs) Lolade Adefulu and to their wonderful children at this challenging time.

May the Prince’s noble soul rest in eternal peace; Amen

AN ICON DEPARTS

Yemi was a consummate orator, an accomplished lawyer and a good friend. We met in 1966, crossing swords at school debating contests when he was at Kings College and I was at Our Lady of Apostles, Yaba Lagos. He won the JF Kennedy essay competition in Lagos in 1967, which motivated me to put in for the competition the following year, during my A levels at St. Annes. His oratory skills were perfected over the years.
Within the legal profession, he kicked off the modern practice of law when he and his partner Dipo Odujinrin started the law firm of Odujinrin & Adefulu in the early 1970s. For ambitious lawyers, it was the place to be. Unfortunately, despite all my protestations and pleadings, he refused to hire me in 1978 when I returned to Lagos after a stint of practice in Kaduna, citing unpleasant experiences with previous female hires! By the time he changed his mind in the late 1980s, I was no longer interested, although we remained firm friends.
Yemi was a ‘gentleman’ in every sense of the word : polished, urbane and polite, expressing his views on Nigerian politics and all other subjects in a way that showed he spoke from both conviction and knowledge, even while acknowledging the right of others to hold opposing views. He was a family man, loving and proud of the achievements of his wife Sis Lolade, and his children. 
I extend my condolences to his wife and children, to the law firm of Odujinrin & Adefulu, and to the legal profession in Nigeria on the demise of their founding partner.
Mrs Funke Adekoya SAN

TRIBUTE TO PRINCE ADEYEMI ADESEGUN ADEFULU. MFR.

Yemi, my handsome bobo bobo in-law;
. the Prince of Wales, as my father used to call him;
. man of many parts;
. ako ni iwaju adajo, erudite lawyer;
. natural born leader;
. helpful and loyal to a fault;
. a great Christian family man.
I first met Yemi in 1962 when he was my student at the Muslim High School, Sagamu. He warmed himself to my heart by his charisma, infectious smile, brilliance and friendliness. We became close and he started visiting me at lkenne thinking that he was visiting his favorite biology teacher. Unbeknownst to me, he had a hidden agenda of wooing my sister, Lolade. The rest is history as he became my in-law.
Yemi was like my first son. We became so close as well as became each others confidants. He always joked that l, not only taught him biology, but also all the tricks of life and l responded by saying that he was the apprentice that knew more than the boss. He followed in my footsteps as Commissioner in Ogun State during the time of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo. The rest is now history.
Many of his friends and colleagues have written so much about him and l do not have to repeat them here. I thank you all for appreciating such a wonderful and noble Nigerian.
Because of your uncanny ability to solve problems, your high capacity intelligence and strong organizational and leadership skills, you were penned down in my last will and testament, to play a very active role during and after my burial, but the cold and wicked hand of death put a stop to all that. Man proposes, but God disposes.
Yemi, my in-law, my friend, my student, baba Deoye, rest in the bosom of your maker until we meet to part no more and continue our gists.

Professor O. T. Okusanya, your teacher, confidant, mentor , friend and great in-law. Toms River. New Jersey. USA.

Without a doubt, the passing onto glory of Prince Adeyemi Adefulu MFR, is a great loss to many.

He was, perhaps, one of those rare tools crafted by God for the use of the betterment of His earthly kingdom. Gifted with exceptional intellect, he was an evergreen oasis of positive wisdom - a man of disarming warmth.

The heavens have yet again gained a bundle of value, a repertory of rational and workable solutions.

A loss too great yet we sadly must bear.

May we be consoled.

A TRIBUTE TO A DEPARTED RARE GEM: PRINCE ADEYEMI ADEFULU

Today, on behalf of the National Body of St. John's Anglican High School Old Students' Association ( SJOSA) this tribute is presented in honour of a man whose life was an epitome of extraordinary achievements, unwavering integrity, and profound humanity – [Prince Adeyemi Adefulu].

As we reflect on his remarkable journey, we are reminded of the profound impact he had on each of us and the indelible legacy he leaves behind.

We had the privilege of knowing Prince Adeyemi Adefulu in 1980, when we came in as the foundation class of St. John's Anglican High School, and his lovely and amiable wife, Mrs. Ololade Adefulu was posted as our pioneer Principal. He was then, the Commissioner for Health of Ogun State.

From this earliest days, he exhibited a rare combination of intellect, compassion, and determination. His life was not just a series of events, but a crusade for excellence, justice, and kindness. He was a man who pursued his dreams and passions with relentless vigour, yet always with a deep sense of responsibility to his fellow man.

Professionally, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu was a Lawyer and in his career, he made great achievements, and outstanding contributions to the defense of justice in the society. He approached his work with a visionary mindset, always looking beyond the horizon. His achievements were not just for personal gain but were contributions that advanced his field as a Barrister. Yet, despite his professional successes, he remained humble, always relating with everyone young and old pleasantly. For instance, he was a regular guest of honour in our Prize-Giving Ceremony, Cultural Day Celebration and Inter House Sports Competition in our school, and always with a fatherly disposition to all the students.

One of the most remarkable aspects of his character was his unwavering integrity. He believed deeply in doing what was right, not what was easy. His principles were the compass that guided his decisions, both in his public and private life. He stood firm in his beliefs, even in the face of adversity, and his moral fortitude was a beacon of inspiration for all who knew him.

Prince Adeyemi Adefulu was also a man of profound humanity. He had an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His empathy knew no bounds – he listened, he cared, and he acted. He was involved in numerous charitable endeavors and was always the first to lend a helping hand to those in need. His generosity was not limited to material contributions; he gave his time, his wisdom, and, most importantly, his heart. Still very fresh in our memories, was his acceptance to be our Special Guest of Honour and the Keynote Address Speaker during the 40th Anniversary Celebration of our Alma Matter in the year 2020. We were honoured by his presence and benefited immensely from his wealth of knowledge and experiences shared with us.

As a mentor and leader, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu was incomparable. He nurtured and inspired those around him, encouraging them to reach their full potential. He was not just a mentor in words but in actions, leading by example and showing what it means to be a leader of character, competence, and compassion.

In his personal life, he was a devoted husband, father and family man, as we usually observe during our several visits to his house. He cherished his family, and they were the cornerstone of his life. His love for them was evident in every action and every decision he made. He was a role model not just in the professional realm but also in the way he conducted his life at home.

His sense of humor and zest for life were contagious. He had a unique way of finding joy in the simple things. He believed in the power of laughter, the importance of friendship, and the value of creating lasting memories. His presence was a source of joy and comfort, and his laughter was a melody that resonated in the hearts of those who heard it.

Above all, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu was a believer in Christ and a faithful and committed worker in the house of God, and this gives us the assurance that he had gone home to rest, and will definitely be seen on the resurrection morning by the grace of God.

As we bid farewell to Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, let us honour his memory by emulating the virtues he embodied. Let us strive to live with integrity, to act with kindness, and to make a positive impact on the world, just as he did. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us, and his memory will forever be a guiding light in our lives.

To Pa Adeyemi Adefulu, thank you for the wisdom you imparted, the love you shared, and the exemplary life you led. You were more than just a great man; you were a beacon of hope, a pillar of strength, and a source of endless inspiration.

Rest in peace, in the bossom of your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, till we meet to part no more. Your journey on this earth may have ended, but your spirit and legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who were fortunate enough to know you.

 May the hands of the Lord rest upon your wife and children to give them comfort, blessings and all round peace in Jesus name.

Bishop Prof. Julius O. Soyinka

Chairman, Board of Trustees (SJOSA)

A Rare Gem...
A truly gentle, highly cerebral statesman. A strong supporter of our Alma Matta.
May your soul rest in peace.

Azuka Azinge.

EXIT OF AN ICON
The news of the demise of this great man, Prince Adryemi Adefule, MFR, came to us as a rude shock and brought sadness to the entire UNILAG Alumni Association. As we mourn his death,we take Solace in the many great legacies he left behind in his very impactful and rich llfe which will linger on even unto generations to come.
I pray Almighty God to comfort his family,friends and the Unilag community. May the Lord grant his soul eternal rest and a place in HIS kingdom.
Adieu beloved Prince till me meet again
Lady Azuka Azinge
2nd National vice president
UNILAG ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

On behalf of the Exco and members of the Ogun State Branch of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, l commiserate with the family and friends on the demise of our great icon of peace and former National President, Prince 'Yemi Adefulu.

Prince Adefulu's commitment to the unity, peace, and progress of our alma mater is unparalleled. His sense of fairness, justice, and equity stood him out among his peers. The sweet memories of Prince Adefulu will forever remain indelible in our hearts.

May the Lord repose his soul and forgive his sins and shortcomings. Adeui! 

Dr. Olalekan Oketokun, fspsp
Chairman,
Ogun State Branch.