As part of my job many years ago, I did quite a bit of travelling in the south west and my visits to Ibadan were never complete without a visit to Bodija. Mummy would ensure that some chin chin and cake would accompany me on my trip back to Lagos and though the goodies were to have been for my wife and children, I always took the liberty to help myself to it. I was getting to know daddy in my adult life and found him to be very easy to speak with and even gist with. Always soft spoken and friendly. As a child, his quietness had been interpreted as sternness and his height did not help matters either. Daddy gave me, my wife and our children unconditional love and access for which I am ever grateful. I have traveled less and less as the years have rolled by and daddy spending more time abroad reduced my interactions with him to the occasional phone call whenever I heard he was in Ibadan. The inevitability of life has happened but that does not make it any easier to deal with. The sudden news of his passage was most sad but thank God daddy lived a long and fulfilled life. I pray God's comfort for mummy, Siji, Romade, Ronke, Aramide and Enit.

JIDE ADEGBITE

Ọmọ Lakesi, ọmọ ọsan abinu, oru lasika, ọmọ ahoyaya lọtun, abiyaya losi, ọmọ gbangba ni ketu. Olanrewaju ọmọ afi ọja pọn. Ọlanrewaju nwẹ lodo gbogbo wundia yọwọ ọṣẹ.

Ba Enit :). That was a long running joke between you Mummy and I because hardly anyone called you that. I hit the jackpot having you as my Dad. You were constantly trying to make me happy and I just hope you didn’t age faster because of me.

Who will play the oldies or listen to the news on high volume now, who will watch our favourite programmes with me now, who will tell me the end of movies or shows before I have finished it, who will be the peacemaker now, who will constantly ask me about things I should be getting on with?….Daddy, your Christmas presents are still under the tree and Torọ wouldn’t let me take down the tree till you got back. He still prays for you. I really didn’t know this was going to be it. 

I guess you finally got that boarding pass. Sleep well Ba Enit. I luff you.

Your baby, Enit

I will definitely miss you Grandpa . You were always loving and Kind to me. I love you so much and I will miss you. Continue to Rest in Peace.

My Daddy, where do I start or stop. What a shock. Wow. I took you on your last drive, gave you your last meal but just didn’t know it.

As one of your favorite songs says “Unforgettable - that is what you are”. Who is going to suddenly start playing “brown skin girl” when I walk into the room and smile at me knowingly because as you often told the story - every time you put that record on when I was young; I would suddenly start dancing, closing my eyes and really feeling the song.

I will never again get to tell you to stop believing all you read on the internet and especially those videos about how onions with ginger and cayenne pepper could cure anything.

You believed in me more than I believed in myself. You literally thought I was unstoppable and that there was nothing I could not do or achieve. You celebrated all my achievements like they were yours, you took my disappointments to heart like they were yours.

I always admired your love for travel. I will be hard pressed to name countries you have never visited. You were adventurous - you were on the inaugural flight of the Concord from the UK and I remember asking if you were not scared to get on it and you said absolutely not; it was exciting.

Many people when they lose a loved one say I wish I had said this or told them how much I loved them but am glad I don’t have to say that. This is because on Father’s Day, June 20 2021, I had this sudden urge to celebrate you and tell you how I felt so I sent you a message which really was to appreciate you then but also seems very fitting now as a tribute. Here goes:

“ Dearest baba Siji, Happy Father’s Day. Hope you have an awesome day. I think I have never really gotten the opportunity to tell you how much I appreciate you as a father. As I have grown older and have my own kids, I have come to appreciate you so much more. All the sacrifices you made over the years as we were growing up, when you gave up so much to send us to England. Looking back I remember so much more of everything you gave up to make sure we had a good education. We are all here today, happy, healthy, successful and all glory to God. I want to take this opportunity to tell you today that you are a great father. You did a great job, you set a great example and you have given us a lasting legacy. You should be very proud and at peace with everything you have accomplished and as the Bible says

Proverbs 23:24
The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise

Proverbs 17:6
Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the ages. Parents are the pride of their children

Your ever loving daughter
A Ronky show

Daddy, it's hard to believe you are gone, we were not quite ready to say goodbye, but God knows best.
Difficult to fathom that you won't be quietly sipping your favourite drink at the next family gathering.
Hard to imagine those conversations with you about politics, business ideas and the way forward for Nigeria is now a thing of the past.
Sleep well, daddy, in the bosom of the almighty.

Farewell Daddy.I thank God for a life well lived. Daddy always made time to listen. I remember when Temiloluwa was a baby, daddy would listen to her and even record her sometimes when she danced for him. He was very gentle and caring. We will really miss him. God bless and keep all he left behind. RIP Grandpa Kongi.
Adedoyin Osundina

Daddy Soluade,
It was an unexpected piece of news.
He was a classic example of a man who loved his family, dearly.
I would always cherish the trips to Kongi, Bodija and the welcoming smiles, despite all u heard about Daddy Soluade, being super strict.
Always impeccably dressed anytime, whether traditionally or otherwise.
You will certainly be missed.
I pray to God almighty,to give the family left behind, the fortitude to bear the loss,in Jesus name, amen 
Akinola Ipadeola

Rest in Perfect Peace Sir

I got to know Daddy Siji as I would call him with uttermost respect and deference in the summer of 1990. I somehow by default found myself staying over at Siji's home in the summer at the end of year one of university and I was welcomed wholeheartedly into their home with the same love accorded to his siblings by his parents. It didn't take long for me to know this was an erudite and highly disciplined gentleman who had also instilled these attributes in his son, my dearest friend Siji.

Siji's Dad was one of those very rare generational gems our creator blesses our lives with. I am extremely honoured to have known him and experienced firsthand his humanity, love and guidance amongst many attributes. From him I have built lasting relationships to date with both his core and
extended family and friends

May his kind Soul Rest in Perfect Peace

Uncle Lanre as we all called you. You were a blessing to all of us.
Our father late R.O. AJAYI literally handed all of us over to you as our custodian and you never shacked in that responsibility. We all loved you very much.
We all passed through you as we grew up. You were honest, reliable and dependable. You trained and nurtured us all. You were a complete gentleman and you corrected us and guided us in making important career, professional and life decisions. You were a father to us all. Our children favourite Grandpa. I remember the last time i saw you and you told me you had your boarding pass and you were waiting for the plane. We had a good laugh. May your gentle soul Rest in Perfect Peace. May God uphold the family. Adieu
For the children of Chief R. O Ajayi Ajibola Popoola(late), Folasayo Togun, Olaleye/Tayo Ajayi, Tokunbo/Demola Odugbesan and Abiodun/Dolapo Akinwale

Uncle Lanre,
You were a gentle soul who genuinely cared about others.
You will be greatly missed and I’ll always remember your love towards my parents and us. God speed, Uncle.
Rest in Peace. Amen

Daddy Siji,
You’ll be missed. I remember you as a loving and very strict father. I also remember all the wonderful times I spent in Kongi, Ibadan. May you rest in perfect peace.

Rest in peace Daddy Soluade, we will miss your great impact.You lived a great life filled with kindness and grace. Your empathy was always a powerful boost, and you have been a father to many apart from your immediate family.

Daddy Soluade has been an encourager to our family for over 40 years. My late mum’s chief adviser, “ Baba Soluade” as she fondly called you, and your wife (mummy) “Aburo Alhaja”. Daddy Soluade was selfless and always willing to help the old and young.  He showed empathy and grace, every interaction with him left my family and I happy.

When I received news of Daddy’s death I said OMG…..daddy’s response to my most recent message is that he is getting better” Thanks for your prayers Oyin, l’m feeling better. Love to the children”. Daddy showed love to people that are fortunate to know him. He has been truly a blessing and will be sadly missed

Heartfelt condolences to mummy, SiJi, Romade, Ronke, Ara, Enit, and the grandchildren. Remember that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please remain strong, Daddy is back in heaven, he thought us dignity and grace.
We thank God for the gift of Daddy’s life.
His legacy lives on through your beautiful family. Adieu Daddy Soluade ❤️❤️❤️

A beautiful memory dear and golden of you daddy sholuade, your worth can never be told there is a place in my heart. No one can feel. I miss you and always will .May Almighty Allah grant you jannat-ul-fridous and Inshallah one day we will meet .

To God be the glory halleluyah. From you we come to you we return. Sleep well in the bossom of the Almighty Daddy.

How does one say a final goodbye to a loving and caring person like you? You were the quintessential gentleman, so debonair. A man with a ready smile for everyone. In the over four decades that I knew you, I had always been fascinated by that ready smile of yours and the mutual respect we had despite the fact that you were old enough to be my father (20 years age difference)! And each time we met you treated me like an equal. Such humility. I remember the interesting discussions we used to have each time I visited on a Sunday. You would have read my column in the Sunday paper that morning and we would discuss the points raised. I missed that when you moved to the UK. You were a very kind and generous person  - always giving - even on your sick bed, how were you able to be so selfless? I guess I will never get an answer to that but I have learnt from that. You left a great legacy and that is the most important thing.
We will miss you greatly but as you were fond of saying "we all have collected our boarding passes. It is the flight time we do not know." You have boarded your flight and I know you will have a joyful landing. May the Almighty keep and preserve your wife Mama Ṣíji (my sister-in-law) and the children and grandchildren you left behind. May your soul find its path in glory. Amen.
Toyin Willoughby Muyi.

Thank God for a life well spent; thank God for the beautiful memories shared; thank God for a glorious ending and a continuous legacy... Rest on, Sir.

Morenike Gomez

Such a kind gentleman. I am very happy that I met you even though the time was short.
Rest on Pa Soluade.


Feyisola

We will forever miss you sir .. you have left a good legacy behind .

Omo gbangba ni ketu
Omo lakesi
Ma jo gberu
Ma jo gbeko
Eru ni sini
Eko ki n siniyan

Rest on Daddy

MAY ALLAH GRANT THE SOUL OF MY DEAR UNCLE…DADDY IBADAN AN ETERNAL REST. YOU CAME, YOU SAW AND YOU CONQUERED. OMO LAKESIN, OMO ORU LAN’SEKA, IKA TA’BA SE LOSAN, KIN GBENI. GROWING UP, I LOOKED UP TO YOU. I WAS FASCINATED BY YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND STRONG PERSONALITY WHILE GROWING UP. YOU WERE A STRONG PILAR IN THE FAMILY OF MOLIKI GBADAMOSI SOLUADE. WE LOVE YOU, BUT ALLAH LOVES YOU MORE. BABA SUNRE OOO.

A Tribute to a loving Uncle.
Words failed me when I heard the shocking news about uncle's demise. Going through the memory lane I saw him as the only father I had in Ibadan. As a young girl during A levels in the Polytechnic Ibadan years back he was very over protective of me, always watching out for my well-being.
He was very kind, generous, full of wisdom and knowledge. I always looked forward to my coming home for the weekend because uncle will have life stories and experiences of life to share.
Late Gboye and I were very fond of him and both of them could be on and on from one topic to another. It was indeed a rude shock but God knows best.
To God be all the glory for a life well spent with families and friends. He has left a good legacy for us all. May the Lord comfort my auntie and the entire family left behind IJN. Adieu uncle, you will be sorely missed!! Good night and rest in the bosom of your maker in Jesus name.
Folasayo Togun.

Death is inevitable. Daddy kongi ( your Nigeria residence area), you have come, you have seen, you have fought the good fight of faith, to God be the glory. You have conquered, *Hallelujah* ❗.
You shall be fondly remembered for your love to your immediate family. Your uncompromising love, gifts and care to your extended family of which I am one. You were a man of little words but actions. In character and comportment you were richly blessed and can never be forgotten so easily.
The Lord shall continue to bless and uphold all you left behind; your children, wife (sister Bose), grandchildren and the entire family and relatives, amen.
Adieu, daddy Siji till we meet to part no more.
Femi Oyeyemi; a sister in-law

You were the best grandpa ever; gentle and kind. You asked me about my day and were genuinely interested in my response. I will miss you a lot.

Dear Grandpa,
I enjoyed practising my Yoruba with you and liked how you were considerate and talked to me about my week. I will miss you.

Dear Daddy, I can't believe that you are gone. You were always so sweet and kind and you will definitely be sorely missed!
Rest in perfect peace!

May the Almighty, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords bless you with Al- jannah firdaus.
You cared, deeply so, for all of us; your friend’s children & grandchildren. Cared in so many ways. May all yours continue truly blessed.
We miss you. Yes, already.

Wow! A self-effacing gentle uncle. Always smiling and talking to me in near whispers.
Our condolences to my dear auntie Bose and the entire family.

Baba, I’ve always known you since early secondary school days to be different amongst your friends (my late father being one of them)!

As a youngster, I could see and I admired the peace and calm that always surrounded you. In your quietness you were always fun to be around, always throwing those punchlines under your breath, if one was fast enough to catch them.

We thank GOD for the good legacy you left behind in your children and the lessons we learnt observing your quiet soul.

Rest in GOD’s Perfect Peace.

A great man has gone to rest.

My Dearest Uncle, Daddy Soluade
I remember all the holidays I spent at your home while I was young child.
You never discriminated between your children and nieces. Thank you for all those wonderful snacks you got for us.
Even as an adult while I lived in the United Kingdom, you always ensured I was faring well.
You were sincere and straightforward with everyone. You made everyone know your standpoint on any matter. You spoke the truth even if some found it bitter. Such a wonderful and rare quality.
You were a loving and protective father for all your children. You made sure no one maltreated them whether neighbors or teachers.
It is so hard to believe you are no longer here with us.
You will surely be missed by all of us. Continue to rest in Peace.
Your niece
Ololade Akinwale

It is sad to hear that you have joined your ancestors. You lived an exemplary life,worthy of emulation. You are an outstanding person devoid of blemish and we will all miss you daddy. We love you but God loves you more.

Good night and continue to sleep in the bosom of your creator until we meet to part no more.
Dolapo& Biodun Akinwale USA 

May daddy's soul rest eternally. May God comfort the entire family he left behind.

Pa Soluade. You will be missed. You have left a legacy of the extraordinary life. I think back to the times spent in your home and how you were always so welcoming. You inspired me by showing me what is possible. Rest in peace.

Daddy Siji (as I used to call him) ah! another loss in the family.
You were a kind, loving and well principled man. My children and I will miss you very much. You kept on assuring me to keep calm and hold forth after the passing into glory of my late husband, Dr Titi Ipadeola.
God will take care of all of us left behind especially my darling sister, Sis Bose Soluade, all the children and grandchildren in Jesus mighty name, Amen!

MRS. YEMI IPADEOLA