April 30, 2021
April 30, 2021
Page 1
From:
Josephine Abiola Sawyerr
A tribute and celebration of life...brother Tom
The story, celebration, and tribute for Thomas Barber Abayomi Sawyerr
My senior brother, my father-figure, my confidant, and my friend....
Coming from the same vessel of carriage.... the womb, and from the same natural scientific elements of procreation 17 years apart , gives me the bona fide right to attribute the status of a father- figure , a confidant, and a friend to you!
Surprisingly, since the day I heard the news about your passing on to take residence with Jesus Christ I have felt some unexplained numbness in my ability to pen down some words of tribute to honour and celebrate your life.
Here! I hold the banner to tell some of the stories.
***I pause to pray the Lord's Prayer in English, Ga, and Yoruba
The path and journey of the Sawyerr and Ademuyiwa/Omotosho family crossed and merged together in 1941, in a community filled with peace and love, where both families lived and interacted, a city called Kotokoraba in cape coast.
Your life and being, started in this tiny city in Cape Coast in the central Region of Ghana....where in the hidden place that only God could see, he brought life to you and put his arms around you even before you knew your mother's touch.
our mother Hannah ,kehinde omorin ,was a young beautiful ,quiet ,modest ,and gentle lady who had completed her first year in a community college in Kano the Northern Nigeria , where she was majoring in Home Economics and child welfare.
This was the area where our grandmother Rebecca Omotosho (a.k.a, iya Ibeji) for many years has started her cross boarder trading in pure undiluted cubic gold, cowrie, kola nut,cattle,and cocoa between Nigeria, Cotonou, Togo, and Ghana, whilst our grandfather Samuel Ademuyiwa stayed behind in Nigeria to tend to his 120 arced farm land in Abeokuta Ogun- State. The farm is called ( Oko Abalabi).
It is amazing to note that some of the farm workers have been working with the family for over 7 decades and on.
During the course of our grandmothers cross border trading, she eventually migrated and settled in cape coast, this time venturing into Real Estate investment in this tiny city.
Our mother and her twin brother migrated with her to this town, assisting our grandmother with the progress of these Real Estate investment....Alaafia house is one of those investments, it still exists currently as our family house in cape coast.
One of the grandchildren resides and maintain the grounds of the property
Our father Jacob Adekunle was equally a handsome quiet modest intelligent Career-oriented young man who had accomplished so much in his educational career as a historian and an educator in such a short time. Those achievements earned him scholarships awards which was broadcast on both the radio and newspapers (the dailies).
As an eloquent historian and educator my father got to further his masters education Abroad/overseas, after the completion of his masters degree, he got his dream job at the prestigious Adisadel college in cape coast, he served for 5 years
My brother Thomas Barber Abayomi, this is where/ when the miracle of your birth happened. Our paternal grandmother 's father Mr Thomas Barber ( the veteran verger of Christ Church at that time) was overjoyed to welcome this precious bundle of joyful blessing to the world, thus you were named after him.
Our grandmother Lucy Barber was his only daughter. She and our grand father Lawyer Akinlapa Sawyerr and the whole family nurtured you with abundant love, care, and strong Christian values because they can see the qualities of the family exemplified in you at a very young age ( you are a gem).
******A song in Twi dialect.......I pause to honour those who have paved the way ahead for us to follow .......ADIKANFO mbo mbo mbo!!!.
As the years moved on, you grew through live's challenges and struggles trying to navigate your position in the journey of life's platform that has been created for you by your parents.
My dearest brother Tom Abayomi, through the years of struggles to carve your own niche , you quickly realized that God has embedded in you a lot of talents and skills that demands to be utilized. You took your eyes off from the distractors and focused solely on building a strong legacy to share with the world , as you did with those who came in contact with you in your day to day interactions with mankind .
My brother Tom you are indeed a beloved creation of God sharing a spiritual kinship with everyone .
With this in mind, as you walked and climb your way through the corporate ladder your aspirations included instilling Christian values and advice to each and everyone that came in contact with you ,.....the questions are..."what does these aspirations feel and look like?
I imagine you my brother Tom, seeing it through this lenses .....!
.."walking beside a creek of gently flowing water
I may see hundreds of stones that look alike
Yet when I looked at individual stones, I see a great variety of sizes, shapes, colours, and textures...
Each stone is unique
I may have tended to view people as alike too,
only after appreciating the uniqueness of the individuals in the world....
did I see the incredible variety , texture , and shapes of God's creativity ,
We are each one unique living ,and working together ,
We bring the blessings of our talents, and abilities, our goals and dreams to each new day and to one another .
there is no lack among us
the uniqueness of each individual , contributes something of value to the whole,
As we let the spirit of God within live through us "
That's the way you viewed the living interactions with manKind!!!
I can also imagine that you took some motivations, and inspiration , from our father 's short poem written and displayed in the porch of the Acherensua Secondary school, in Brong Ahafo, where he was the headmaster from 1961-1966.
He wrote !
• [A diamond to cut ]
"every man has a diamond to cut.
it is his to perfect , to Slight, or to shatter
the farmer, and the builder
The artist and artisan
The doctor, the lawyer,
The merchant,the chief,the students, the teacher
Each has his own great task
That demands the best of him
And here at Acherensua secondary school
We too have our diamond to cut"
***Brother, Abayomi as I continue on with
Celebrating your life's tribute today,
Many of your friends and some of our family members may be wondering
With questionable curiosity about what I meant by 17 years apart between
My brother Tom and I.
(Roy lessin)..wrote and I quote,
You see! God has more for us than our faith could ever imagine,
And more than our heart could ever hold"
**our parents reunited back together again in Cape-Coast 17 years later after both
Have moved on with their separate lives........
The child of Reconciliation was born.
I am the loving child of unity, solidly built on a platform filled with tons of joyful exploration, caring the beacon of reconciliation as an anchor to hold on to.
This relates to our father's favourite hymn song......."will your anchor hold in the storms of life".
Brother Tom, you dedicatedly told me the story of how our paternal grandmother Lucy Barber, and the entire family were so happy, beaming, and overflowing with much joy about my birth, and how you marvelled at the thought and possibilities that you would/could have a little sister from your parents, who shares the same womb, and the natural elements of procreation with you.
****So Moving on forward, with 17years distance between us, by the time I was growing up into a little girl, my brother was already preparing his way from high school to university, following in the footsteps of our parents.
***My awareness rising of my brother Tom came to being at about the age of 3-4 years old, whilst attending the Nana Nketia day nursery/kindergarten school in Asaluym down Accra, operated by Mrs Hayford.
I remember vividly how you tried so hard many times to teach me how to write within the lines and not above the lines. When I write the letters , it was always off the lines in a Zigzag fashion...as an ambidextrous, I write with both hands..switching from left to right. My brother Tom was frustrated, stern, and concerned about how I could not grasp the concept of writing legibly within those parameters.
At that time I wondered who you were or are to me,
however, I noted as young as I was ,that any time you were coming for a visit ,everyone seemed to be in a gala , hearty, jubilant mood ,with special foods being cooked, and everyone chatting, whispering ,and gossiping in a positive disposition about your visit...saying! Abayomi is coming on a visit!!!
through it all ...the trials, struggles to become somebody and build a strong worthy legacy, my brother Abayomi, you made your life's intentions known , which was, to share your life with the world.
" sometimes the smallest steps in the right direction
ends up being the biggest step of your life,
tiptoe if you must, but take the step "
As I grew up into a young lady , my brother, I observed and learned a lot from your steadfastness, hospitality, endurance , gratitude ,and from your career drives. This drive Has been a point of reference for me, watching you build a legacy that we all have come to embrace and admire .
And as the years went by, you travelled out of Ghana to Germany, then UK to further your education .
During this time as well , your sweetheart Christiana had also travelled to the United Kingdom to further her studies as a nurse/midwife .
Together in 1972 both of you cemented your union in the presence of friends ,families, and welwishers.
In 1976 brother Abayomi, you moved to Ghana and worked with an accounting firm called Coopers and Lybrand, Price Waterhouse . You and your family settled and lived in the newly constructed Dansoman Estate, Accra. The electricity power in that area could not power the refrigerator and stove together at the same time. None of the appliances can be put together at one single time,...that was how bad it was, and also the dusty Roads of construction, The red, red , dusty sand , construction street could paint ones skin to red if not careful .
Yet, my brother you worked hard under those circumstances, you were happy to be productive and giving back to the community that raised you.
After a couple of years later, you moved back do United Kingdom and continued with the work that you have started before you left for Ghana .
At every step of the way you kept me posted about happenings both on the job ,and family forums in the UK , Ghana , and Nigeria.
In 1981 you discussed your interest in taking on a position on the job front in Nigeria. The name of one of my in-laws who owns a Civil Engineering construction company came up, his name is Reverend Sesan Adebajo. He is the president and executive Director of Uren Construction Limited , based in Isolo Lagos.
Both him and his secretary flew to London to interview you for the job.
You told me how the package deal on the job offer was very good, attractive and lucrative, however the company was not able to give the details of health and family insurance Coverages for your family at that time , so you declined the offer.
*****It is in our darkest times that we must focus on the light.***
Few months later you called to inform me about another job offer with Cadbury Nigeria limited. The job description was for to audit and write a 3year accounting manual for the company. This time you said the package deal offer was bountiful, it included all the necessary health insurance coverage needed for your family's well-being , this offer was loaded, with this full package,
You arrived in Lagos with High Hopes and on cloud 9, ready to work hard to the fullness of your ability.
Your Nigerian side of the family were ecstatic about your arrival, because some have only heard about you , but do not know you in person , so it was almost like a family reunion. You had the time to visit your maternal grandfather's farm in Abeokuta ( Oko Abalabi), and the property at 16 Cemetery Street Ebute- meta.Lagos
You had the opportunity to mingle and interacted with all your mothers siblings, there were times when everyone sat around and spoke the Fanti dialect.....this intrigued those around us listening...as unique!.
Brother Tom, you enjoyed every moment and especially your shopping,
That was the first time that I noticed you were addicted to shopping and I was afraid to catch it as well .......laugh ........every weekend brother , we went with the driver to the marina to get freshly daily caught fish, including shrimp, scallops, mussels, crabs, and other sea food eat-ables.
We used the whole day on Saturday to roast these items and on Sundays after church we sat around to Eat (do justice to it) and have fun discussions , lots of jokes ,and laughter.
Your children at the time were still in school in the United Kingdom , they visited you every holiday and you vice versa .
You dedicated yourself immensely into your work and it paid off.
In one of John Wesley's quotes he wrote
*****"Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
in all the ways you can
in all the places you can
At all the times you can
to all the people you can
with all the zeal you can
The as long as ever you can"
**Pause for a song by Psalmos:ft kore ( oluwa kuse)
Your mission was to support and help whoever comes your way....you could only have done this by the grace that God has bestowed upon you.
Brother you completed the task with Cadbury Nigeria limited , and moved back to UK to continue with your private practice which has now taken off and flourishing.
You navigated the hurdles of life magnificently , your values radiated and shone through with all who came in contact with you .
You have acquired so much wisdom to share with the young ones .
Your parents were exceptionally proud of you for the man you have become .
You have instilled these values into your children lives, and to me. Today, I stand tall, bold , and confident because you have paved the way of steadfast endurance of which I am grateful. How did you do it brother Abayomi? You lived your life in a humble, modest way, always smiling and ready to give a hand.
In 1989 our father visited me in Lagos and during our many conversations he kept mentioning how proud he is to have you as his son, and what a wonderful, kind man ,always smiling, just like his mother , ready to help anyone in need .
Cont'd..
From:
Josephine Abiola Sawyerr
A tribute and celebration of life...brother Tom
The story, celebration, and tribute for Thomas Barber Abayomi Sawyerr
My senior brother, my father-figure, my confidant, and my friend....
Coming from the same vessel of carriage.... the womb, and from the same natural scientific elements of procreation 17 years apart , gives me the bona fide right to attribute the status of a father- figure , a confidant, and a friend to you!
Surprisingly, since the day I heard the news about your passing on to take residence with Jesus Christ I have felt some unexplained numbness in my ability to pen down some words of tribute to honour and celebrate your life.
Here! I hold the banner to tell some of the stories.
***I pause to pray the Lord's Prayer in English, Ga, and Yoruba
The path and journey of the Sawyerr and Ademuyiwa/Omotosho family crossed and merged together in 1941, in a community filled with peace and love, where both families lived and interacted, a city called Kotokoraba in cape coast.
Your life and being, started in this tiny city in Cape Coast in the central Region of Ghana....where in the hidden place that only God could see, he brought life to you and put his arms around you even before you knew your mother's touch.
our mother Hannah ,kehinde omorin ,was a young beautiful ,quiet ,modest ,and gentle lady who had completed her first year in a community college in Kano the Northern Nigeria , where she was majoring in Home Economics and child welfare.
This was the area where our grandmother Rebecca Omotosho (a.k.a, iya Ibeji) for many years has started her cross boarder trading in pure undiluted cubic gold, cowrie, kola nut,cattle,and cocoa between Nigeria, Cotonou, Togo, and Ghana, whilst our grandfather Samuel Ademuyiwa stayed behind in Nigeria to tend to his 120 arced farm land in Abeokuta Ogun- State. The farm is called ( Oko Abalabi).
It is amazing to note that some of the farm workers have been working with the family for over 7 decades and on.
During the course of our grandmothers cross border trading, she eventually migrated and settled in cape coast, this time venturing into Real Estate investment in this tiny city.
Our mother and her twin brother migrated with her to this town, assisting our grandmother with the progress of these Real Estate investment....Alaafia house is one of those investments, it still exists currently as our family house in cape coast.
One of the grandchildren resides and maintain the grounds of the property
Our father Jacob Adekunle was equally a handsome quiet modest intelligent Career-oriented young man who had accomplished so much in his educational career as a historian and an educator in such a short time. Those achievements earned him scholarships awards which was broadcast on both the radio and newspapers (the dailies).
As an eloquent historian and educator my father got to further his masters education Abroad/overseas, after the completion of his masters degree, he got his dream job at the prestigious Adisadel college in cape coast, he served for 5 years
My brother Thomas Barber Abayomi, this is where/ when the miracle of your birth happened. Our paternal grandmother 's father Mr Thomas Barber ( the veteran verger of Christ Church at that time) was overjoyed to welcome this precious bundle of joyful blessing to the world, thus you were named after him.
Our grandmother Lucy Barber was his only daughter. She and our grand father Lawyer Akinlapa Sawyerr and the whole family nurtured you with abundant love, care, and strong Christian values because they can see the qualities of the family exemplified in you at a very young age ( you are a gem).
******A song in Twi dialect.......I pause to honour those who have paved the way ahead for us to follow .......ADIKANFO mbo mbo mbo!!!.
As the years moved on, you grew through live's challenges and struggles trying to navigate your position in the journey of life's platform that has been created for you by your parents.
My dearest brother Tom Abayomi, through the years of struggles to carve your own niche , you quickly realized that God has embedded in you a lot of talents and skills that demands to be utilized. You took your eyes off from the distractors and focused solely on building a strong legacy to share with the world , as you did with those who came in contact with you in your day to day interactions with mankind .
My brother Tom you are indeed a beloved creation of God sharing a spiritual kinship with everyone .
With this in mind, as you walked and climb your way through the corporate ladder your aspirations included instilling Christian values and advice to each and everyone that came in contact with you ,.....the questions are..."what does these aspirations feel and look like?
I imagine you my brother Tom, seeing it through this lenses .....!
.."walking beside a creek of gently flowing water
I may see hundreds of stones that look alike
Yet when I looked at individual stones, I see a great variety of sizes, shapes, colours, and textures...
Each stone is unique
I may have tended to view people as alike too,
only after appreciating the uniqueness of the individuals in the world....
did I see the incredible variety , texture , and shapes of God's creativity ,
We are each one unique living ,and working together ,
We bring the blessings of our talents, and abilities, our goals and dreams to each new day and to one another .
there is no lack among us
the uniqueness of each individual , contributes something of value to the whole,
As we let the spirit of God within live through us "
That's the way you viewed the living interactions with manKind!!!
I can also imagine that you took some motivations, and inspiration , from our father 's short poem written and displayed in the porch of the Acherensua Secondary school, in Brong Ahafo, where he was the headmaster from 1961-1966.
He wrote !
• [A diamond to cut ]
"every man has a diamond to cut.
it is his to perfect , to Slight, or to shatter
the farmer, and the builder
The artist and artisan
The doctor, the lawyer,
The merchant,the chief,the students, the teacher
Each has his own great task
That demands the best of him
And here at Acherensua secondary school
We too have our diamond to cut"
***Brother, Abayomi as I continue on with
Celebrating your life's tribute today,
Many of your friends and some of our family members may be wondering
With questionable curiosity about what I meant by 17 years apart between
My brother Tom and I.
(Roy lessin)..wrote and I quote,
You see! God has more for us than our faith could ever imagine,
And more than our heart could ever hold"
**our parents reunited back together again in Cape-Coast 17 years later after both
Have moved on with their separate lives........
The child of Reconciliation was born.
I am the loving child of unity, solidly built on a platform filled with tons of joyful exploration, caring the beacon of reconciliation as an anchor to hold on to.
This relates to our father's favourite hymn song......."will your anchor hold in the storms of life".
Brother Tom, you dedicatedly told me the story of how our paternal grandmother Lucy Barber, and the entire family were so happy, beaming, and overflowing with much joy about my birth, and how you marvelled at the thought and possibilities that you would/could have a little sister from your parents, who shares the same womb, and the natural elements of procreation with you.
****So Moving on forward, with 17years distance between us, by the time I was growing up into a little girl, my brother was already preparing his way from high school to university, following in the footsteps of our parents.
***My awareness rising of my brother Tom came to being at about the age of 3-4 years old, whilst attending the Nana Nketia day nursery/kindergarten school in Asaluym down Accra, operated by Mrs Hayford.
I remember vividly how you tried so hard many times to teach me how to write within the lines and not above the lines. When I write the letters , it was always off the lines in a Zigzag fashion...as an ambidextrous, I write with both hands..switching from left to right. My brother Tom was frustrated, stern, and concerned about how I could not grasp the concept of writing legibly within those parameters.
At that time I wondered who you were or are to me,
however, I noted as young as I was ,that any time you were coming for a visit ,everyone seemed to be in a gala , hearty, jubilant mood ,with special foods being cooked, and everyone chatting, whispering ,and gossiping in a positive disposition about your visit...saying! Abayomi is coming on a visit!!!
through it all ...the trials, struggles to become somebody and build a strong worthy legacy, my brother Abayomi, you made your life's intentions known , which was, to share your life with the world.
" sometimes the smallest steps in the right direction
ends up being the biggest step of your life,
tiptoe if you must, but take the step "
As I grew up into a young lady , my brother, I observed and learned a lot from your steadfastness, hospitality, endurance , gratitude ,and from your career drives. This drive Has been a point of reference for me, watching you build a legacy that we all have come to embrace and admire .
And as the years went by, you travelled out of Ghana to Germany, then UK to further your education .
During this time as well , your sweetheart Christiana had also travelled to the United Kingdom to further her studies as a nurse/midwife .
Together in 1972 both of you cemented your union in the presence of friends ,families, and welwishers.
In 1976 brother Abayomi, you moved to Ghana and worked with an accounting firm called Coopers and Lybrand, Price Waterhouse . You and your family settled and lived in the newly constructed Dansoman Estate, Accra. The electricity power in that area could not power the refrigerator and stove together at the same time. None of the appliances can be put together at one single time,...that was how bad it was, and also the dusty Roads of construction, The red, red , dusty sand , construction street could paint ones skin to red if not careful .
Yet, my brother you worked hard under those circumstances, you were happy to be productive and giving back to the community that raised you.
After a couple of years later, you moved back do United Kingdom and continued with the work that you have started before you left for Ghana .
At every step of the way you kept me posted about happenings both on the job ,and family forums in the UK , Ghana , and Nigeria.
In 1981 you discussed your interest in taking on a position on the job front in Nigeria. The name of one of my in-laws who owns a Civil Engineering construction company came up, his name is Reverend Sesan Adebajo. He is the president and executive Director of Uren Construction Limited , based in Isolo Lagos.
Both him and his secretary flew to London to interview you for the job.
You told me how the package deal on the job offer was very good, attractive and lucrative, however the company was not able to give the details of health and family insurance Coverages for your family at that time , so you declined the offer.
*****It is in our darkest times that we must focus on the light.***
Few months later you called to inform me about another job offer with Cadbury Nigeria limited. The job description was for to audit and write a 3year accounting manual for the company. This time you said the package deal offer was bountiful, it included all the necessary health insurance coverage needed for your family's well-being , this offer was loaded, with this full package,
You arrived in Lagos with High Hopes and on cloud 9, ready to work hard to the fullness of your ability.
Your Nigerian side of the family were ecstatic about your arrival, because some have only heard about you , but do not know you in person , so it was almost like a family reunion. You had the time to visit your maternal grandfather's farm in Abeokuta ( Oko Abalabi), and the property at 16 Cemetery Street Ebute- meta.Lagos
You had the opportunity to mingle and interacted with all your mothers siblings, there were times when everyone sat around and spoke the Fanti dialect.....this intrigued those around us listening...as unique!.
Brother Tom, you enjoyed every moment and especially your shopping,
That was the first time that I noticed you were addicted to shopping and I was afraid to catch it as well .......laugh ........every weekend brother , we went with the driver to the marina to get freshly daily caught fish, including shrimp, scallops, mussels, crabs, and other sea food eat-ables.
We used the whole day on Saturday to roast these items and on Sundays after church we sat around to Eat (do justice to it) and have fun discussions , lots of jokes ,and laughter.
Your children at the time were still in school in the United Kingdom , they visited you every holiday and you vice versa .
You dedicated yourself immensely into your work and it paid off.
In one of John Wesley's quotes he wrote
*****"Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
in all the ways you can
in all the places you can
At all the times you can
to all the people you can
with all the zeal you can
The as long as ever you can"
**Pause for a song by Psalmos:ft kore ( oluwa kuse)
Your mission was to support and help whoever comes your way....you could only have done this by the grace that God has bestowed upon you.
Brother you completed the task with Cadbury Nigeria limited , and moved back to UK to continue with your private practice which has now taken off and flourishing.
You navigated the hurdles of life magnificently , your values radiated and shone through with all who came in contact with you .
You have acquired so much wisdom to share with the young ones .
Your parents were exceptionally proud of you for the man you have become .
You have instilled these values into your children lives, and to me. Today, I stand tall, bold , and confident because you have paved the way of steadfast endurance of which I am grateful. How did you do it brother Abayomi? You lived your life in a humble, modest way, always smiling and ready to give a hand.
In 1989 our father visited me in Lagos and during our many conversations he kept mentioning how proud he is to have you as his son, and what a wonderful, kind man ,always smiling, just like his mother , ready to help anyone in need .
Cont'd..