Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts
A true friend is never truly gone. Their spirit lives on in the memories of those who loved them.
The bond between friends is beyond this mortal world. I can still feel Kehinde with me every day, helping me make it through. He is by my side, and yours, forever
I have known Victor, Kehinde Oginni since 1971, when we both started secondary school at Loyola College, Ibadan. I know it’s a bit cliched to say we hit it off from the moment we met, however, it is true. as we were both assigned to the same class from the very first day.
We both had one thing in common – truancy. We were both restless and adventurous, and this made us miss classes in the early days, in search of adventure. Such fun we had, exploring the sights of Agodi and its environs, only returning to school at the end of the day. But Kein was so clever and intelligent that despite all the truancy, he always delivered when it mattered.
As Biola Ogunrombi (another classmate and good friend) mentioned in his tribute, his nickname in school was Satiru. He’d already stated the reason for this nickname.
We both went our separate ways in 1975, until we met again by chance in 1988, in London’s West End. And as luck would have it, we both lived less than five minutes away from each other. We continued our friendship with the same intensity as we did when we were younger. There were a limited number of people to whom I could really open my heart, to whom I could really speak with total frankness. Victor was one of them. He was one person to whom I could unburden myself.
We continued our friendship, even when we both got married and started raising families. It was only natural that our families became friends.
Dear friends are those who know our hearts, our minds and choose us as their friends. Through his extraordinary example, Kehinde proved that true friendship has room for both ambition and selflessness. I am better for knowing you, better for having met you. May you be as blessed in the next life, my friend, as I was in this one by knowing you.
As we grieve the passing to glory of Kein, we celebrate his memory and rededicate ourselves to the values to which he devoted his extraordinary life. He will be greatly missed. My family and I send our love and deepest condolences to his wife and children.
Saying goodbye isn't for us. Instead, I will say that I look forward to seeing my friend again, each time I am reminded of him through a phrase, a joke, even an article of clothing. These are the things that will keep us close despite death
I will conclude with the following statement: “It is God who creates, God who calls, and God who sends”. AVITOR, as I fondly called you pal, the gates have been opened, and now you’re in a better place. Adieu, my good friend.