ONE YEAR AFTER DEMISE: FRIENDS, FAMILY REMEMBER LATE ONIGBONGBO LCDA BOSS, HON. BABATUNDE FRANCIS OKE
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Education Secretary, Ikeja Local Government Education Authority, Comrade Amosu Akeem Abolore
The family, friends, and associates of late Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon. Babatunde Francis Oke have come together to celebrate the life and times of the council administrator exactly one year after his demise. The man, Hon. Babatunde Oke who passed away in August 2020 was described as a great leader who has a big heart to accommodate people irrespective of their political or religious divide.
Speaking with Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper during the remembrance event, the Education Secretary, Ikeja Local Government Education Authority, Comr. Amosu Akeem Abolore commented: ‘Today makes it a year that we lost a father to many of us, a guardian, a mentor, Hon. Babatunde Oke Francis who happened to be the former Onigbongbo LCDA Chairman. God has taken him away from us. We don’t blame God. He doesn’t treat opposition shabbily but that doesn’t make him lose sight of his people. He is a leader full of love.’
L-R: Chairman of NUT, Ikeja branch, Comrade Tola Gbagba; an Education Officer and immediate past President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikeja branch, Comrade Alase Shakirudeen
‘The cap I am wearing today, he gave to me. I remember that we were going out to a party one day and then he brought out about 4 caps and said I should try anyone out that fits me. This one is what I picked that day. That shows who he is. He felt that if anyone of us is not well dressed, he could tarnish our prestige and that’s how he reached into his wardrobe for me. Oke is a prophet of truth that politicians should emulate. We thank God that we have people like him like Hon. Tayo Ayinde, the Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that are still able to maintain his legacy by carrying us all along as political associates.’
The immediate past president of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikeja branch, Comr. Alase Shakirudeen who served during his tenure noted about the remarkable support the late council boss provided ‘Remembering him today speaks volume to the personality of the man that has exited this sinful world. He was a man of peace and love, a cheerful giver, and a great leader indeed. In fact, we related as if I am his blood brother. He is so accommodating, I would say, I enjoyed his support then as branch chairman of NUT during his leadership. We pray that God will continue to be with his family and grant him eternal rest.’
L-R: Chairman of NUT, Ikeja branch, Comrade Tola Gbagba and immediate past President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikeja branch, Comrade Alase Shakirudeen
The current Chairman of NUT, Ikeja branch, Comr. Tola Gbagba also described Hon. Oke has a very good person. ‘The entire Ikeja teachers love him a lot because of his outstanding programmes. I got involved in Spelling Bee Competition and I saw how passionate he handles the programmes. There are also many empowerment programmes he did for youths and artisans.’
