As I write a tribute for one of the best loves I ever encountered, my “grandpa” I remember the words of Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. These words ring so true because this was the life grandpa lived. He made everyone feel so special.

Thank you Grandpa for living a life that told a story. A story in which my major takeaway is that it is more important to love than to be perfect. Because when you love it makes it impossible for others to spot the imperfections.

Thank you for spreading love and gratitude and for bringing warmth to our lives. Your hugs were the warmest and in them I felt like the best girl in your world (even though we all knew Aunty Tola had that spot). A hug from you grandpa was warmer than a heap of the coziest blankets and more meaningful than a thousand words.

I miss you dearly and wish I gave you the roses when you could smell them.
Much love,
Your Fara

I met Bros SAOJ when I came out fresh from the secondary school. I just knew he was family. No questions asked. Everyone was family to him, and he was fun to be with ..all the time. I tagged along with him, most evenings to the Shell Club in Surulere of the 60s. I sat on the same stool and soaked in my coke turning browner by the day, while he brought life to the club…” Sunny e! “Sunny e!.......you hear as he greeted and embraced, leaving a joke here and there. Which nook and corner of Surulere did I not know, as he took one road and exited in another in his famous Volkswagen? I was with him on two very memorable life or death occasions, racing in the same Volkswagen.
I got to know a man who cared about you, who was interested in your progress, who was concerned about your welfare. He was a man always ready to help, a person who truly and genuinely wanted to assist. He appreciated you for your talents and capabilities. He was the encourager. He cherished family and everyone who came across his way was FAMILY. He still lives in the ways he positively touched the life of many people. Remarkably unforgettable, SAOJ will always be remembered for good.
Oyewale Tomori

From childhood, I knew the first thing that would come out of Grandpas mouth the moment he saw me was the “Glory glory hallelujah” song, followed by the smile and the hug.
The smile!!! He was never without a smile and it was He who broke the “adults don’t laugh with children” myth for me.
He loved his family- every single one of us.
Grandpa was solid, reliable, dependable and consistent. So consistent!! I was convinced that He would always be with us. But we know and we are happy because He came, He lived and He lived well.
Goodnight Grandpa
We will miss you !!
Glory Ayomikun Ogungbamigbe

I find it difficult that our amiable and ever jovial Brother is gone to sleep.
I find it difficult to gather my thoughts together because to me, he couldn’t be gone.
Being able at last to write to put some words together, is an acceptance that brother had gone to be with his Creator since that unforgettable Monday, 11th February, 2019.
We cannot question The Almighty God for taking our brother away to rest peacefully, and eternally at His bossom, after a beautiful and dutiful soujorn on this planet, called earth.
We thank The Almighty God for giving us such a personality with whom every contact was joyous, hilarious, and unforgettable.
I can never forget the laughters and shouts for joy anytime brother called with that distinct voice and tone- Niran Mi O. He would follow up with, ‘se eoo binu pe eoo gburo mi’ translated ‘hope you’re not offended that I haven’t called you’. And that was always whenever I called to want to apologize for not getting in touch for two to four weeks.
I’m going to keep missing his Easter and Christmas cakes henceforth.
The ever ready jokes and laughters are gone forever!
That’s a wonderful and interesting human being.
He left very good memories with his own and with all and sundries.
May his fatherly, loving, jovial and soulful SOUL rest permanently in the bosom of God, his Creator. Amen.
Goodnight our dear brother; you’re unforgettable.
OLANIRAN ALOBA.

Adieu Daddy.
In fond memory of the father of my children Adedamola and Akinlolu Jegede. You were a caring father who taught our children discipline and values of life. You excelled in your professional life and was a shining trailblazer. You also had the old fashioned values of keeping a good name and never allowed it to be tainted above other earthly gains. Within you there were also so many contradictions but you brought to fruition in me a strength that I am forever grateful to God.
I pray for the family to have the fortitude to bear the loss and for the children to continue excelling in their life endeavours. May the soul of our dear Daddy continue to rest in peace. God bless.
Adedayo Jegede

He called me 'aburo'and to me he was a mentor, an encourager and a friend despite the wide difference in age.
He brought a unique aura to his position as General Manager in his time that remains a reference in Total Nigeria Plc for those of us who worked alongside him. A leader in a class of his own.
Interested in me, in my career, in following about my children, my parents even though for many years I was out of the country, showed a man of many parts and a tender compassionate man at heart.
His speech at the burial of engineer Adeyinka recently, brought back memories of the great man and of a generation of Total Nigeria PLC of which Pa Jegede will remain an indelible icon.
Everyman will have his appointed time to depart. May God teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
I treasure the fond memories of this great life.

My Boss...My Dad by "adoption"...words cannot really explain what you are and what you mean to me. What I have become today and the woman that I am was made possible because God made our paths cross a very long time ago. You were/are one in a million and if it was possible for a girl to have two fathers, I would clearly have chosen you.
I worked with you for more than ten years during the period I would refer to as my formative years. All my "firsts" were with you. With you I could do no wrong because you loved me and believed in me. You gave me wings so I could fly...and till today, I am still grateful that I met you and worked with you and for you. That I am a graduate today was because of you. Thank you Uncle Sunny. I can never thank u enough.
Your sense of humor was just out of this world and people who came to visit you in the office then would always ask how I'm able to work with you. If I could talk to you now, I know u will still find a way to joke about death. Like the joke about 95 year old Ijesha man that died...his family wrote these words on the program "the enemies have done their worst...". So me too I want to investigate o. Mo fe roo oku yin o
You were genuinely concerned about everything about me...so much so that you would even sometimes attend my church just to watch me sing. My family adores you. You were there for us when we lost our parents and I believe you would have seen them now.
If I continue, I'm sure this application will log me out.
Uncle Sunny Jegede, u lived a good life. You were loved by so many and you cared for so many. You prepared your eternity here on earth. I'm sure you will enjoy your eternity because u deserve it. U were a Legend. An unsung Hero and if you were given a chance to engage death in a battle, I'm sure u would defeat death just like u did when u had that dangerous accident.
Sleep on dearest soul...we love you but God loves u more and I'm sure u are cracking jokes there now. I'm so jealous

-Adunola Olowookere (nee Jegede)
Fondly called SUNNY by my late father.
He was a man full of fun and laughter
Never a dull moment with him
He played jokes and to him it did not matter
As I look back overtime
I find myself wondering
Did I remember to thank you enough for all you had done for us, the children of your brother, late Pa. George Olatunde Jegede?
If we have forgotten to show our gratitude enough for all the things you did
We are thanking you now.
We will always remember:
That special smile
That caring heart
That warm embrace you always gave us anytime you came to Ilesa to see your brother of sweet memory.
You are forever loved daddy.
Sleep on my father's bestie.....

I met him years ago and there was no dull moment with him. He was an icon a good honest and great man. I remember our trip to Togo with mummy I laughed all through the trip. People like him are rare and he will be greatly missed. One great thing I loved about him is he always prayed for me, even with my challenges he reminded me that all will be well. A great saying of his that I will never forget is "no one can sting the beetle".But the has gone rest. Sleep on great one till we met again.u will be missed. Sun re

-Mrs Kikelomo Johnson Adekoya
My dearest uncle. I called him daddy. He was more like a father to me. So caring and loving. He was a pillar that supported our family. Always making sure we were all together in love.
No words can describe the way I feel as I write this tribute.
I love the way he loved me, no pretense, no partiality.
He made it a must to visit me whenever he was in London. He came to London every year for many years and he would make sure he visited me, even after I got married. He was such a loving father and grandfather....
I remember his advice to me before I got married. Never to settle for less. Daddy was so considerate and always wanted the best for us.
I have so many good memories with him that I will cherish forever.
When I got a call passing the news that daddy had passed on, I could not believe my daddy had really gone. I mean why should he die? I saw him as someone who should live forever. But I thank God for a life well spent. He lived and enjoyed life.
Daddy you will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Your kindness, love and guidance will be cherished forever.
Rest in peace daddy. Love you forever.
Even after you are gone
In our memories
You forever live on.
Your niece
Kikelomo

-Engr. Kanu Ukonne
REMEMBERING OUR OGA SAO JEGEDE ESQ.

It was a sad day when the news of his demise filtered around. First the shock and disbelieve until confirmation came officially from the company secretary. A very bitter truth to accept that our most revered colossus Oga Jegede had answered the home call.

He will be remembered for many years to come as one of the founding fathers of modern day TOTAL Nig. Plc. He had a passion for human capital development. He was gifted with an extraordinary talent of identifying young and brilliant graduates who joined the organization in the early Eighties.

He called them high fliers. Oga Jegede personally as a General Manager (the second indigenous after Engr. Teju Oyeleye) nurtured this crop of young graduates and saw them as the future generation of the company. At that time, TOTAL was one big happy family. It is a statement of fact that he championed the growth of these high fliers giving them opportunities with high responsibilities. Many succeeded working their way up to Executive levels. TOTAL was the major beneficiary of this reward based on skill and merit. For many years she was a clear market leader and enjoyed a handsome share price over and above the then 8 majors.

Notwithstanding, his high position in the pyramid of hierarchy Oga Jegede was by nature a kind boss. He intermingled freely with all grades and classes of staff.

A 100% detribalized leader he only saw two elements in staff i.e. skill and potential.

He was a gifted orator who could hold his audience captive for hours with his an adorable fluency in the use of spoken English. His close friends confessed that he expressed himself better in English than in his mother tongue Yoruba language.

He was a very humorous person and full of storytelling. His personal assistants called him a workaholic. He thought Senior Managers to close from work only when they were tired. And he lived by example. Many times he left his office at 10pm.

Network and LPG Markets expanded under his watch. He implemented the Federal Government’s policy on the fight against deforestation by establishing LPG (Cooking Gas) plants in rural areas across the country.

He relocated Territorial Offices closer to the market place. He was everywhere teaching and mentoring.

His relationship with his Paris principals was cordial. Many of them who had worked with him were always coming back. These very senior people were J. C. Lepage and Mr. Perpignani, the grandfathers of TOTAL Nig. Plc. Then later J.C. Boilon, and Mr. Verlet.

His departure marks the end of a golden era.

As we mourn him today and in the days to come, it is quintessential  to thank him for teaching us the benefits of hard work, attention to details, love for one another irrespective of our backgrounds and for regarding TOTAL as one big happy family.

May his soul Rest in Peace, Amen.


Engr. Kanu Ukonne

-Olajumoke Odumosu ( Née Akingbade)

To an Uncle that genuinely loved.
I had heard so much about how caring you were but I didn’t experience this until I lived with you. I am glad I did.
My stay with you was precious:
I remember you making me hot Milo every morning before going to work.
I remember you insisting I was driven to work even though my job was about 3 minutes away.
I remember you waiting for me to get back from work before the family had dinner- you always wanted us to eat together.
I remember those yummy meals cooked by Mr. Bani - I sure gained some kilos.
I remember you ensuring Mr. Bani took care of me- he was exceptional.
I remember our nights of bible study and prayers. I can’t remember us missing a night.
I remember having the opportunity to connect with my lovely cousins who are just as caring as you!
I remember how special you made me feel, you’d say “Jumo, Jumo, my angel”..,
I remember... I remember...
I remember you as a wonderful Uncle that genuinely loved.
I didn’t see your passing coming, -at least not so soon, but I take solace in knowing that you are resting.
I loved you, I still do.
You will be greatly missed

-Kay Jegede
Dad, you were an absolute legend. As a child, you were the most affectionate father I knew, and throughout my teenage and university years, you sent these amazing handwritten letters. I'll never forget our long talks about your childhood and professional career, and your sense of humour, which remained with you until the end. Rest well dad, your memory is blessed. Love you.