I 'had' and can still hear my last words with You on the Thursday before You chose to leave a lasting impression two days later to depart on my Daughters’ wedding day! – there was a cloud which was a hangover of my sense of loss when I last saw you; I battled with denial of the realities you confronted me with several weeks before; I left the hospital walking on and on as if I was to walk to Kingscross until I regained consciousness to get a cab to the train station. This must have been for hours of my ruminating on how to reverse time or stall till I could find a solution to what I saw as our predicament –impending inevitable passage – a price we all have to pay at different times. Your last words were pray for me; it gave me undesired closure because I prayed for restoration – but apparently Your Amen came when You slept the last on Saturday it meant resolution; but that was later after Saturday when in consonance with your humility it came to my mind that piece of literature we had shared from forty years association about the legendary views of the traveller from an antique land of the transit nature of man who looked to works of transient-man with awe, ‘Mighty, and Despair’ the appellation was – Ozymandias; You ‘Sky’ chose the spiritual end, faith in the subliminal skies; at least so I reckon, You always left all to God; I guess that’s were your Sky Power always derived; my brilliant friend the picture that comes to my mind was when you were contesting for secretary-general in our Uni days - and after some marathon campaign you were dozing in class! Didn’t we share a joke? You played your role dear friend; I saw you slipping away but I now I know what I saw was sleep. You radiated peace in the end so as not to rape my memory of your magnificence. Adieu dear laureate. RIP.
Karen take heart Sky will be forever missed but will always be in our hearts.
’lai Oshitokunbo Oshisanya.

So sorry to hear this sad news. Tope was a vibrant, sparkling contributor to BAAL and an inspiration to us all. Condolences to his family and his many friends. Susan Hunston

Oh what a loss!
Such brilliance, such kindheartedness, such warmth! These are the attributes of Tope that I am already missing. My heart is heavy as I mourn the loss of an eminent scholar and colleague, a friend and a brother.
I got into contact with Tope in 2013 in the line of performing my official duties as the then Head of the Department of Linguistics at the University of Ghana. That initial encounter was not as pleasant as there were institutional difficulties to overcome. Yet sooner than later, both of us overcame that rough start and developed an extremely good professional relationship. It went beyond that – we got to know each other’s family, and truly cared for all that concerned each other. Over this relatively short period of knowing Tope, we did a lot together, professionally and otherwise.
I didn’t think his life should be over now. There was so much going on, and so many ideas yet to be fully birthed. The news of your illness came as a shock to many of us. Even then we prayed and hoped that the doctors were wrong. But alas God knows what is best. Two weeks before your death, I was in Stroud to see you. The illness seemed to have taken a toll on your body but your spirit was very much alive and hopeful! We talked about everything – family, Heavenly Acts, our N&MC coursebook project, Legon, etc. Karen looked forward to her Ghana visit with you, but it was not to be.
The linguistics fraternity in Africa and the diaspora has lost a great brain. I have personally lost a dear colleague and friend.
My heart goes out to Karen, Tife Nisha, Onaayo Mara and Feranmi. My thoughts and prayers are with you in these difficult moments. May Tope’s soul rest in perfect peace.
Nana Aba Appiah Amfo
University of Ghana

Sky, my acquired friend who became my brother! Tunde Fasanu SAN introduced us when we were young lawyers living close to the University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. The rest is history. Sky, you moved abroad and we lost contact until I went for a music festival in Reading with my cousin Joseph Nwokobia who lived there and was studying at Oxford University and we bumped into you and Karen. Since Reading was a natural holiday stop for me, our families began to spend great times together not just in Reading but also in Lagos and Erin Ile. So many issues endear you to me but most important was your great effort to empower members of your family at great discomfort to yourself and your immediate family. Also you were very passionate about your home town Erin Ile and did a lot to assist with education of children there. I remember your scouting for all phased out computers at Roehampton University and other places which you managed to refurbish, freight, paid duty on and delivered free of charge to various schools in Nigeria. Considering that you were not a businessman, you indeed gave your widow's mite. We are grateful for your sacrifice. We are assured that you and your family will be rewarded a thousand fold.

I had a deal with you Sky that you would try to hold on till 16th June when I'm due to be in the U.K. again. You told me I gave you something to look forward to and hoped it would come to pass. Alas, it was not to be. It was all so sudden but the memory remains strong. My daughter Isioma who is 25 this year still remembers the days they played soccer in your garden in Reading whilst I'm on my mobile phone or gisting with you and Karen admonished us to drop the phones and play with the children as we were supposed to be on holiday! I remember teasing Karen that the mobile was a new invention which enabled me to afford the holiday as I could work and go on holiday at the same time. We discussed serious issues; we shared marriage and parenting challenges. We learnt a lot from each other. I know you loved Karen because you told me so. It has been a privilege and honour for me and my family Lizzy, Isioma, Emeka, Chuka and Obiajulu to have met and enjoyed your friendship and those of Karen and their children.

Adieu Sky, you came, you saw and you conquered. Now, you must rest in peace!

Tony

I have never met Tope, but it feels like I have known him all my life. I have interacted with Tope academically and had a lot of exchanges and pieces of advice from him. He was my model in the UK context and I looked up to him for inspiration to move on. We exchanged emails, spoke on the phone and he was forever available. I was always comforted to know Tope was there. Reviewing pieces of work and advising on the way to go forward. It is a shame he won't be there again. Although it still does not sound real. Adieu Tope. But know you have left some younger African Scholars behind who hope to keep the candle burning. Lilian Lem Atanga

Farewell tallest poet in England -- and every time i saw you just a little bit taller, your head disappearing upwards into the clouds. You had the best laugh in England too. The best.

John Seed

I just cannot believe what I am reading here. Tope is no longer with us? I read this on the Linguist List and had to read it several times, as I kept thinking it couldn't be true. Tall, funny, kind, exuberant, sharp and witty, creative thinking Tope will no longer be there to run into at conferences? I met him at the first conference I ever attended: BAAL in 2000. His work pushed boundaries, as he always engaged to draw on poetry and a different perspective to liven up and diversify applied linguistics. I've run into him many times since at various events, but it's been too long and now it will never happen. He will be sorely missed in the applied linguistics community. Many condolences to his family.

Thank you for the inspiration, warmth and light that you brought us through your exceptional scholarship, jovial conversations and those one-of-a-kind smiles that were truly from the heart. Sending condolences to your family. May you rest in peace, dear Tope (Sky).

Very sad to hear this, Tope made a valuable contribution to sociolinguistics. I remember fondly kind and engaging words when we met at conferences. Most definitely, that unique laugh lives on..

For he comes, the human child,
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world’s more full of weeping than he can understand

I was lucky enough to see Tope often when he came to Edinburgh as an external examiner. His infectious laugh and expansive presence would always lift everyone's spirits. He reminded us that there was always more to life than some of the mundane aspects of academia. I will miss seeing him at conferences and my thoughts are with his family and friends.

I have actually met him in 2013 at the Walc and LAN conference at the university of Ibadan and again in 2016 at the seminar organised by Prof. Igboanusi for the metalanguage on HIV/AIDS and Ebola. In all of this, I only know him, I am not sure he knew me. However, he addressed me and my friends like a father. Since I got introduced to him by Prof. Igboanusi in 2016 even after his departure (our communication is limited to Facebook and gmails), he has been like a father. His last words to me are 'To you new doors will be flung open. Don't stop saying it. Don't stop claiming it'. I can't forget those words. It reflects his concerns for others.
When I heard of his departure to the glorious home, I was shock to the marrow. Prof! Not now! Tears rolled down my chin. I couldn't hold it. It is painful though, our consolation is not only in your academic landmark but in lives you torched positively while here with us.
I believe you are resting with the Lord. Prof. Tope Omoniyi! Sun re o. Iwaju re, ire! Eyin re, ire. Ise re ko ni baje. Odi lojo ajinde

Sky,
Unbelievable news each day passed is as if I will wake up one morning and I will say o it's just a dream and you are still here. You are such a kind hearted leader and inspirator. Missing you Sky, words I often hear you speak kept coming to my mind words like "absolutely" you pronounced it and it made real sense of that word. Thanks for allowing us to meet and know you and your family. Words are not enough to describe you Uncle. Till we meet to part no more rest on in the bosom of the Lord Jesus. Good night Uncle we love you but Christ love you more.

Tope was a hugely influential figure throughout my undergraduate study at Roehampton. I am deeply sorry and saddened to learn of his passing. I couldn't have asked for a more warm-hearted, kinder or passionate lecturer to guide and shape my study. He influenced and aided me in many projects and essays and was always willing to help. I will always remember Tope's laughter and humour, the profound effect he had on his students, his genuine interest in our aspirations, his willingness to lend and ear and offer advice, but mostly for encouraging me throughout my education and often supporting and believing in me more than I believed in myself. I keep his wife, children and family in my thoughts and prayers. A fantastic person who will be sorely missed, a legend!

I know Tope so well while he was in Singapore - warm hearted, kind and always laughing. When you are with him you forget the time. I am very sad that he has passed on and I hope he did not suffer too long. Its a big loss to all his friends!

Such a loss to the field of language studies! I am so sorry that my move last year meant that we could not have you participate in our research activities... Our meeting and symposium at Georgetown, DC has left a mark. RIP

LATE PROFESSOR ‘SKY’ TOPE OMONIYI
A tall, lanky and humorous man, intelligent, witty and wise beyond his age and peers. Calm, collected and very accommodating. You gave room to everyone to express themselves professionally. You had a dream; that language should not be allowed to be a barrier in medical practice. That everyone deserves a right to comprehend and be comprehended by all health professionals. To this dream you called a number of professionals to share and participate in its actualization. Some enthusiastically and genuinely accepted and jointly pursued this shared dream, others were lukewarm towards it while others were negligent in sharing your dream. This did not deter you, you drove on and continued fighting for your dream until the cold hands of death snatched you from us. You were receptive to all whom you came across to the point of accepting some into your home and that of your friends and family. Indeed, your sense of humour and warm heartedness was rare and will be greatly missed.
Prof., we are very grateful for the rare opportunity you accorded us. We thank you for sharing your dream, family, home, friends, faith, relatives and indeed your person with us. You Sir, were a rare and great individual and our lives have forever been enriched by our association with you. We know you are resting in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ; whom you loved and served. As you smile down on us from heaven, may the grace which God bestowed on you to impact lives positively, be in us, now and forever. May we learn from you, to live lives worthy of God’s glory just like you did, in Jesus’s name.
Rest on “Professor Sky” till we meet at the end of the Age.
Adieu Prof.
From the “Jos Group”
Dr Mathilda Banwat
Dr Luret Lar
Dr Fwangshak Kumbak

Not just a colleague but a true friend.  Sincere, generous and open-minded.  Will never forget ... until we meet again in the great beyond -
"O SON OF THE SUPREME! I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve? I made the light to shed on thee its splendor. Why dost thou veil thyself therefrom? "(Bahai Writings)

All those of us who knew him feel shock at the suddenness of Sky's passing, and grief at the loss. I was horrified - he should have been with us for decades to come. Sky (Tope was for me a later name) and I first met in the late 80s when he was an outstanding member of a group from Nigeria who came on a Commonwealth-funded course to Reading University. We discussed the possibility of his doing a PhD in Reading - he did it soon after, supervised by Paul Kerswill. I was the Internal Examiner.
Thereafter we met at conferences in the UK and abroad - among many others, Cape Town, where he introduced me and my wife Annie to sushi, and Ghent, where we sampled a generous range of Belgian beers. I particularly remember a 3-day residential course at Gregynog in mid-Wales for Bangor undergraduate linguists in 2004, where he was a huge hit - he had time for everyone - from 1st year students to international scholars - in conversations on matters personal, social, political and linguistic, which he invariably adroitly interconnected.
An innovative and original mind, in researching graffiti he persuaded Annie to copy down a wallful of texts written on a women's toilet in Reading, while would-be users battered desperately on the door! And when Sky was working in Singapore, he was extremely generous to my son Joe, whom he invited to his house, and who was thrilled to meet a friendly face as he travelled alone during his gap year.
In the academic field, of course, Sky's work speaks for itself - astonishingly wide-ranging, with a distinctive personal take. He was one of those life-enhancing characters whose company enriched us all. Thank you for everything, my brother, and rest in peace.
Deepest sympathies to Karen, Tife Nisha, Onaayo Mara, Feranmi and his whole extended family.

Three months ago, when you emailed me that you were diagnosed with stomach cancer, I was shocked and I couldn't believe it. I prayed that you would eventually recover and visit us again in Hangzhou. But my prayers were not answered. You left us so soon!
  Without your kind invitation I wouldn't have been able to come to Roehampton as a visiting scholar in 2013. Since then you have been more than an inspiring mentor to me, but a caring friend! I will never forget your thoughtfulness and your generosity, your humor and warm heart. My visiting program in Roehampton and your visits in Hangzhou have become my most cherished memories. You will live in our hearts forever.

This is so, so very sad! I knew Sky as a gentle, gregarious, and warm person. We met at conferences, emailed often ... Gosh! I will miss him, very much! I didn't know he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. 

May his kind soul rest in peace!

Prof Omoniyi was such a wonderful person. You brought so much inspiration. Sleep on Sky in the bosom of the Lord

Rest in peace, Tope. Rest assured that you will not be forgotten

Tope was a truly exceptional man, a great friend from day one and an anchor for me in my academic life, although we only knew each other for a few years. We first met when he came to Poland on his academic quest in 2014 and I was delegated by my department to meet him because my boss was not in town - the chance meeting that developed into a beautiful cooperation on a project and a caring friendship. We kept meeting at conferences and during offline and online lectures which Tope asked me to deliver to his students. Last year I asked him to be one of our keynote speakers at our triennial conference in Cracow this April - the yes came barely after an hour. Unfortunately, he then realised it overlapped with another conference he was already going to and he had to cancel. Life has shown he would not have come anyway... I knew he had some health problems already last year, but he was as always in good spirits and full of plans. He was to be one of the plenary speakers at the next Sociolinguistic Symposium in New Zealand next year, which I was so much looking forward to. It was such a shock when I learnt about his passing away...I still cannot come to terms with it... He touched me so deeply with his profound humanity, modesty, gentleness and warmth, and inspired me greatly as an academic... I remember his tribute speech delivered to commemorate Joshua Fishman at the Symposium in Murcia last year and his touching poems - now he has joined his great mentor too... Rest in peace dear Friend, you will never be forgotten....
My deepest condolences to all the loved ones that Tope left behind - please take consolation from all those testimonies, Tope lives in hearts and minds of so many!

Dear Karen, Nisha, Takesha and Feranmi

Your Husband and Father Sky was and will always be remembered as a Magnificent Man in my and countless others' minds. Sky was such a deeply intelligent and kindhearted man, full of gentleness, wisdom and proper intellectual thinking. My heart is broken along with yours. We have an empty place where he once lived amoungst us. But I will never forget his presence - he was a very special and dignified Gentleman. Let us, all your devoted friends and family, comfort and care for you. We love you and want you to know how highly we thought of Sky. You and all of us were so lucky to have him in our lives. What a loss to the Earth. But I trust if there is a Heavenly Paradise - he is there, he is there, he is there.
All my love and devoted friendship forever, Aulani Mulford

Dear Karen and family,
It is with deep sadness that I have learned that my brother, Sky Tope Omoniyi, has left this world. I first interacted virtually with Tope almost thirty years ago, soon after he joined the National University of Singapore in the early 1990s. In 2000, he invited me to give a keynote address at the sociolinguistics symposium he organized in Lagos, Nigeria, where I met him in person for the first time. A well-established and internationally renowned scholar, Tope wrote on a wide range of topics, among them language and identity, the sociolinguistics of borderlands, World Englishes, the sociology of language and religion, language policy and planning, etc. Over the years, he and I worked together on numerous research projects, and spent quality time, whenever we met at conferences, talking about our families, work, and life in general.
Prior to his sudden passing, Tope was guest-editing a special issue of the journal Current Issues in Language Planning (CILP) entitled “Micro and macro language policies in contemporary Ghanaian society.” As recently as three weeks ago, on May 9, he informed me of his imminent passing, which he had known about at the end of March, saying,
“I must talk to you as a brother. Tough news. …a two month life span prediction.. Pray along with me for prolonged life and total healing. Love always, Tope.”
My heart broke. I wished him a speedy recovery and told him that I would do the guest-editing job on his behalf while he was recovering. That was the last communication I had with him.
Tope, my brother, I am already missing you. May your soul rest in eternal peace! Martha and I will keep Karen and the family in our prayers as we mourn your passing. Love as always. Nkonko

I am struggling to know what to write about a man who always had something to say and so very sad about this man who always brought such high spirits.

I remember 'Tope's honesty, his welcome, his encouragement. I have benefitted from conversations with him about work, particularly sociolinguistics, and life. His enthusiasm was infectious and he welcomed people into his scholarly activities such as the memorable seminar on language and religion at Roehampton in around 2003.

I last saw him at Sociolinguistics Symposium last year when I had the good fortune to share a long catch-up at the conference dinner and was, of course, introduced to a number of 'Tope's friends and colleagues making for a warm and hilarious evening.

Tope had such love for his family. My thoughts are with you.

How sad I am to know that I won't again hear that huge, sustaining laugh barrelling along another academic corridor or across another conference hall.

I am afraid that I was technically the last academic visitor invited by Prof. Omoniyi. When I finished my visiting program at the end of this February, Prof. Omoniyi seemed to be a little bit weak and told me of his medical appointment at the following week. But he was still very nice, humorous and encouraging as always and suggested a lot of research topics for me to explore when I get back home. He even expressed some interest in the cooperation. I was very concerned about him when I got back to China but didn't expect to learn that he suffered from so serious illness and left us so soon. What a pity and a sad loss! Words can't express how shocked and sad I was at the terrible news! I will always remember that he responded to my emails promptly and patiently, he cared about me as a new-comer to U.K. kindly, and he gave the lectures humorously and inspiringly. Prof. Omoniyi, thank you indeed and miss you forever!

Dear Professor Tope,
So sorry to hear about your leaving us. 7 years ago, during my academic visit to Roehampton, you were more than my tutor, but a friend. After that, you kept encouraging me. Just three months ago, I was so excited to get the chance of visiting London again next year, but you are not there waiting for me... So sad. You are such a good man. You always live in my heart...

Sky was a very good friend to my husband and being such a nice person with a high sense of humour he, his lovely wife Karen and children became family friends to us and our children.

He was a friend who cared and believed in relationships and will go out of his way to show this. I will never forget the memories of our spending time in their home in Reading, or at ours in London and Lagos. I am still in shock that we will not share these moments with him anymore, but my consolation is that we will still do this with his lovely family. We had hoped to see him next month and he had hoped this will happen, but God knows best .
Karen be rest assured we are all here to support you and the children and as much as I know Sky's departure to eternity is very painful to you and irreplaceable, hold firm to your faith in God and trust Him that you will do all you both have planned for the children. Sky will always be with you to protect you and the children. Sky Rest in perfect peace.

Love from, Lizzy Idigbe

We are deeply touched. Tope was exceptional. Something special happened to us everytime we met, mainly during conferences, but also at a birthday celebration, a commemoration and even by coincidence at an airport. His radiating personality, his immediate engagement with minority issues, his deep understanding of multilingualism, his critical awareness of academia and the wider world, his optimism and sharp wit are just a few of his many qualities we can never forget.
Goian bego - rêst yn frede.
Jasone Cenoz & Durk Gorter

You were my friend, my colleague, my mentor, my brother…
I miss you enormously.
Peace.
Andrey

Dear Professor
You are more than a mentor but an ispiring friend, you were always supporting and ecouraging during my academic visit at Roehampton in 2016, I still remember the discussion about socialinguistics in your office, I still remember your invitation to the international symposium at Roehampton....
Peace
Xiaoyan Wang from China

Dear Sky Pee,

That was your full nom de guerre when we were at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) where we met in the 70s, though, you were more popularly called Sky especially when you ran for office in the Students Union. I recall shouts of "how's the weather up there?" would rent the air anytime you campaigned or made a speech obviously because of your height as most of us were struggling to get past your shoulders.

We were to get closer when I started practice as a lawyer and living close to UNILAG whilst you were a lecturer there until you left the shores of Nigeria for the UK. I met your wife, Karen, when you visited Lagos on a few occasions and I remember the good times we had attending a couple of music gigs in Lagos.

I had thought we'd get together soon but, painfully, that is not to be. However, I take solace in memories of your warm embraces, killer jokes and, of course, the local milky bite (waara) you used to bring anytime you went home to Erin Ile, which, my wife, Kari, always reminds me of whenever your name comes up.

Kari and me send our deepest condolences to Karen, the kids and your larger family. Until we meet to part no more, it's

Fash de Bash

Dear Karen, Tife Nisha, Onaayo Mara and Feranmi,

Once more, please accept my most sincere condolences. I am very sorry for your loss.

I met Professor Tope Omoniyi approximately 10 years ago, as I was doing my BA in English Language and Linguistics at Roehampton University. He came in one day to teach a class on the "Introduction to Linguistics" module. Back then I thought to myself "this man is a great lecturer", so later on I also signed up for other modules that he taught: "Discourse and Conversation Analysis", "Language Issues in Multilingual Settings" and "Language in its Social Context". Over the three years I have learned that Tope was an inspiring academic, a great leader, motivator and an exceptional guide to all of his students.
We "officially" became friends in the summer of 2010. I say "officially", because I have that in writing, as per the dedication he wrote on one of his books he gave me on my graduation that year.
After I moved on to do my MA and started working in TV production we kept in touch. On occasions Tope would invite me to Roehampton for a catch up and to give a talk to his final year students about doing a large final project in "Discourse and Conversation Analysis". He would always try and encourage me to return to Roehampton, to do a PhD and from his words I gathered he had a lot more faith in my ability than I ever did myself.
In January 2014 I contacted Tope, as I needed a referee for my British Citizenship. He was my immediate first choice. He agreed to help and suggested I should apply for a PhD scholarship and come to work with him at Roehampton.
In April 2014 I have become a British Citizen, partially thanks to his help with the references. Also with his guidance and the guidance of Dr. Andrea Esser I wrote a PhD proposal which was eventually accepted at the University of Roehampton and I started my MPhil/PhD course in September 2014.
Over the last three years I got to know Tope a lot better. We were meeting and chatting regularly. We worked together on various projects, including the Commonwealth Fellows Programme, several conference papers and most of all my PhD dissertation.
Tope was a very dear friend, a kind, generous, cheerful person. He was always there for me when I needed help and advice, over the course of the last 10 years. I owe him so much, he treated me like a son, and I will miss him not only as a friend and a mentor, but also as my UK based father.

May his soul rest in eternal peace,

God Bless you my dear friend Sky.

Lukasz Daniluk.

Dear Tope,
I still cannot believe it. It was only the end of November last year that I saw you again. And it was only in February that you recommended me as a reader for a journal. I wish I could travel back in time and add 5 minutes here and there with you. First time I met you in NYC, I had known you already through your scholarship. Your article on Nigerian Hip Hop is still my favorite piece to teach. And when I met you in person, it was like meeting an old friend. You included me in your circle of friends immediately. I will miss you. The world has lost a great scholar, wonderful man, and beautiful soul. Rest in Peace.

Dearest Topsy,
The news of your passing shocked me more than I can describe despite the fact that we have not seen each other for over a decade. Following the initial shock, I spent the entire weekend thinking back of the time we first met at Ogoja (at the time in Cross River State) attending Federal School of Arts and Science in preparation for our H.S.C examination from 1974 to 1976.
In that two years, Tope was a huge influence in my life academically and spiritually. At the time, you acted much older than your age. You were always the voice of reasoning, advising and protecting me from the wild and dangerous elements out there waiting to be explored by a "lagos boy" in that foreign land. I still remember how you would pray for my safety as I climb the school gate venturing into town, watching my figure blend with the dark environment before turning around to go back to the hostel.
Our time together at the University of Lagos was equally memorable since it was the height of the disco era. While some of us failed to grow up, Tope was different with a remarkable sense of commitment and focus. While some achieved greatness, Tope was destined to be great and my wonderful memories of you would remain forever.
My deepest and sincere condolence to your wife, children, family and others you left behind.
Good night brother.

It was a great privilege to know and work with Tope. His leadership and friendship will be missed by many of us.

Dear Prof, I am still in shock that you are no longer with us! We first met in 2012 as my PhD external examiner! It was a nerve wrecking experience but I didn't fail to notice the effort you made to make me comfortable! We there after enjoyed lunch together with my other two precious professors and we had an amazing time. I still recall your jokes, funny experiences from Nigeria which i related to. Your admiration for my work made me proud of my achievements and looked forward to our collaboration. I then contacted you in 2014 for a reference to apply for postdoctoral training! I surely thought you didn't remember me at all! I still remember your warm email, how you still remembered me and how you went out of your way to explain why you had taken long to respond to my email. We have since then kept in touch, emails here and there, inquiring about different issues of academia! I was still looking forward to another reunion and to closely work together, but I guess the Lord also needs you as a consultant on the different projects in Haven! Rest in peace dear professor, we miss you already! May the lord keep and protect your loving family!

In 2002 during te AILA conference in Singapore we became friends and had long talks. For me he was the person who showed what it is like to live in two cultures. To be a person of importance in both. I admired him for that and I am grateful that he showed me how to do that: that it is possible!
After 2002 we met at numerous conferences. He and some other colleagues had dinner and stayed with me in Utrecht in 2008 after a conference.
I don't know exactly when it was but the girls must have been about six when I had to be in Reading and Sky invited me for dinner. It was the first and only time I met you: Karen and the girls. I am convinced that you really get to know someone if you meet the people behind him. That happened to me that night. I was happy to see the warmth and love in your home, Karen! It completed my 'distant friendship' wit Sky! Thank you for that!
I hope that after your sorrow the pride and happiness of having had so many years with this wonderful man will be strongest. That warmth and love will win from your sorrow.
I think of you and all those people whom I never met but loved him.

Jacomine Nortier

'Bye and bye'
Surely, the morning comes
Then and then
We see again.
My Prof.
I'll surely see you again
bye and bye.

'Bye and bye'
Surely, the !morning comes
Then and then
We see again.
My Prof.
I'll surely see you again
bye and bye.

You opened a page in my life and gave it an expression that impacted much. Prof. you never new me in person, yet believed in my ability to accomplish feats.
The catalytic effects of your mentoring speak on for you.
Sleep on great brother,tutor, mentor and friend. I have no doubt that we'll meet at 'The Marriage Supper of The Lamb'.
Adieu

Bye bye my dearest professor.Thank you for inspiring me and my family to be the best in our selves.
You taught me to be humble and kind sir

You will be sadly missed
Br kefasi

I first met Tope when he arrived in Reading as a Masters student on a Commonwealth scholarship in, I think, 1988. He returned after a year to do a PhD on a sociolinguistic topic under my supervision: ‘The sociolinguistics of the Nigeria-Benin border: language and identity in Idiroko and Igolo’, which he defended in 1994. This was his first contribution to borderlands linguistics, a subject that has since become significant internationally. Language choice and identity remained key to his professional life.

But Tope was no dispassionate observer. Years ago, he decided to experience life as a homeless person for a few days, to see how people reacted to him. For him, life, social commitment and art were inseparable, a combination beautifully preserved in his video ‘River of Words’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND3oOtOIxGQ.

He was an accomplished poet, and I treasure his volume ‘Farting Presidents and Other Poems’, which shows his love for Africa, but frustration at its politics.

Knowing him over all these years enriched and changed my own life. He introduced me to the African continent, which I first visited in 2002 on a trip not to Nigeria, but to Ghana, where I had another PhD student, Salifu Mahama. Several times, Tope said that one day we would meet on African soil. The opportunity nearly presented itself in 2015, when we were both in Accra – but we missed each other by a week. Over the years, I consulted him about African matters on several occasions, and I valued and followed his sound advice.

Prominently displayed in my living room are two wooden African elephant figures. The day he knew he had passed his PhD, Tope brought them round to my house. He had kept them for this moment, because he hadn’t wanted me to think he was influencing me in any way. A true sign of a principled person. I count myself incredibly lucky to have known Tope Omoniyi.

Paul Kerswill

You were a great inspiration, a great and a humble man. Knowing you has changed my life and career. During my preparation for my job interview at Oxford Brookes University, your words of encouragement and advice kept me going. You were always present every of the way to support me. Although you were a busy man, you took time to read through my presentation and offered me the best of advice and direction. Your emails kept coming during the early hours of the morning just to encourage and support me. I was so inspired when I got up on the morning of the interview to find your inspiring text message urging me on for the interview. I went to that interview fully prepared and confident because of your advice. When I called to tell you and thank you that I got the job, you again demonstrated your humility by saying; all glory to God.

Our last meeting was in February 2017 at the African restaurant on the Oxford road in Reading. You were quick to find out how I was doing at work. There again you encouraged and advise me on what to do. Prof, you are a wonderful man. I remember you always call me 'my brother' anytime we meet at church.

The news of your passing was a great shock to me. It was unexpected, sudden and too soon but one thing I am confident of is that you know Christ as your personal saviour. This alone gives me hope and confidence that you are in Heaven and resting in the bosom of Christ Jesus.

Rest in perfect peace Prof, I know that I will surely see you again at the resurrection.

                     In the sweet by and by,
               We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
                    In the sweet by and by,
                 We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

Kwasi

It is very difficult to speak of Prof Omoniyi in the past now. His first message, which accompanied his new year wishes, to me January 2017 was:I look forward to you switching another prefix to your name. Yet, here was a man I barely had physically met. I contacted him when I joined a professional association to which he belonged in 2007.By 2008 he had ‘conscripted’ me to join a research he sought funding for, emailing the documents to the administration of my institution to support me and sending me an SMS to that effect! Though the institutional support did not come as some persons bungled it, he promised to avail me of his experience and support. Whenever I seek references for funding travel grants, his is usually the first to arrive. In spite of his busy academic schedule and travels. He went as far as sending to me, by priority mail, his only copy of one of his books which I desperately needed. He became my confidant and friend. I still have threads of our conversation even this May,2017. He adopted me as son and student but nonetheless treats me as an equal. He mentored me. And tremendously supported my career. Once, I asked him why his large heartedness to which he replied that it is his small way of showing appreciation for God’s beneficence to him, and that by nature he is ‘greedy to do good’.
I was to receive him at the airport in Africa in 2016, I think around the month of July, and to take him round the nation’s capital,where he had yet to visit, to keep an appointment. I had even booked his lodging. Then the embarrassing flight cancellation which necessitated his having to travel by road to another city to connect a flight to the capital, and subsequent on that the airport pick up was not possible. That would have been a glorious moment for my family and I to at least host him no matter how briefly and to express our gratitude to him for all his assistance through the years. Though we had never met but he had mentored and supported my career endlessly. Because I was well aware of his itinerary I got to the airport on the day of his departure and searched endlessly but we could not reach him on his mobile nor sight him. All I knew or better heard from a colleague, Benedict Lin, himself a beneficiary of Prof Omoniyi’s kindness, in Beijing-China was that Prof was called Sky. After security clearance on his way to the departure lounge, I saw a tall man, my benefactor and mentor dressed in a white with black spotted caftan, in person, and shouted crazily Prof! In spite of the wall to wall glass partitioning he heard me and stepped back a few steps. And we shook hands. We spoke for a few seconds as he had to keep moving ahead. His first word to me, spoken with great humility, was no one knows who I am here.
His constant closing word in our chats was either Hallelujah or Amen. Good night Prof. And may God comfort Karen, your wife and children and the Omoniyi clan. Indeed we have lost a gem.

I am still shocked at the news of your demise, dear Prof. I watched you very closely during our fellowships at CE Reading. Two things stood out about you- humility and scholarship. Yes, you were very humble and related with everyone equally. Each time I interacted with you I learned something new and inspiring. You encouraged and inspired me to pursue my dreams. You were a good and kind-hearted man. I also learned from you how to take good care of my own mother. You will be sorely missed. Rest on Prof. May your gentle soul rest in the bosom of our Lord and may He alone comfort all those you left behind, especially your aged mother, wonderful wife, beautiful children and siblings.

Dearest Prof,
My big brother and friend
- Your humility is remarkable
- Your commitment to helping others is selfless
- Your love is real and tangible
You impacted me and many others very special ways. Words are not enough to express how much you are missed.
Our comfort is that you received the salvation of our Lord Jesus and we know that we have not lost you.. You passed on to Glory

My Beloved Prof and Big Uncle

I was in shock when i first saw this memorial site but on the side i thank God it only means you changed location to be with the Lord Jesus.
You taught me humility and strengthened my public speaking ability by one simple analysis when i took my first reading of Rhapsody of Realities in Christ Embassy Reading years ago. I have never forgotten your smile and comforting soft speech since then. Your gentility is contagious and despite your exposure and academic experience, you took time to come to church , listen attentively to Gods word and shared the connection of the bible with everyday life. We will miss your physical presence but your lessons of greatness will forever remain with us.

'Tope was a true individual; a man with humour, compassion, and from whom I learned to expect the unexpected. As external examiner on our BA in English Language, he was a good friend to us at Reading during some of our most difficult times, and also to me as a personal friend and supportive colleague. He was often in my thoughts, and will be much missed. Peace be with you all.