By Bisade Ojoye
Friends, colleagues and family members who gathered at the first Memorial Lecture organised in honour of Late Alhaji Nurudeen Olanrewaju Sodipe described him as regardful, considerate and one who lived for others.
At the memorial lecture held at Crescent Hall, opposite Abadiyah Mosque, Leme, Abiola Way, Abeokuta, Ogun State on Wednesday, the people who took turn to speak about Sodipe who was former Deputy Provost of Federal College of Education, Osiele expressed in unison that he was a man of the people whose lifestyle was basically how to improve mankind and serve humanity, adding that he never new colour, ethnicity, Geographical divides or religious persuasion.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Taofik Salisu said gathering in honour of Alhaji Sodipe was an honour for him because, according to him the celebrant lived a good life, an exemplary one. “Sodipe’s life epitomises live and let’s live on the grounds that as he was pleasant, approachable, accommodating, warm and considerate”, he stressed.
Dr. Salisu said the immeasurably humbling and highly recommendable lifestyle Alhaji Sodipe lived was why he had to put on hold all other programmes he had for that day in order to attend the memorial lecture.
The Special Guest of Honour at the occasion and the Provost of Federal College of Education, Osiele when Alhaji served as Deputy, Professor Emmanuel O. Filani described Alhaji Sodipe as a fantastically impressive personality whose divine bestowment could said to be uncommon. “To succinctly described Alhaji Sodipe, I will simply say he was a rare creature, very fun to be with, hard working, amiable, respectful, accommodating and a friend indeed”, he stated.
“Alhaji Nurudeen Sodipe, to me was not a subordinate but a great partner and one who readily, willingly and cheerfully gave his all to the success of our tenure and development of the institution. I thoroughly enjoyed his brotherly disposition while our working relationship lasted at the college. I leveraged on his popularity, large following and his diligence to duties.
According to Professor Filani, “aside from his character, Alhaji Sodipe was a human encyclopedia; a computer of biometrics of names, contacts and data. Just mention the name of a person, Alhaji Sodipe would supply other details of such person. He was such a dependable ally, assiduous worker and conscientious person. He was more of a friend, confidant, partner than a subordinate. He was really a man of the people who commandeered a large following.”
The guest lecturer, Professor Taofiq Abd’Azzez of Department of English, University of Abuja, while doing justice to the topic ‘Death: A parable of Constructive Life, Lessons from the Life and Times of Alhaji Nurudeen Olanrewaju Sodipe said the topic was apt, and spoke eloquently pertaining to the life of the celebrant, because according to him, he epitomised humility. “He was a devoted Muslim whose life revolved around the tenets of the religion. He lived a life that could be described as pleasing and worthy of emulation”.
Some of the family members of late Alhaji Sodipe said he was a father to all as he would give a hand to others as if they were his biological or members of his own nuclear family. “He cared far more than some thought reasonable. He taught them moral lessons with which they have and still navigating through life. “We are greatly missing him”, they stressed.
The occasion, compared by the incumbent Provost of Federal College of Education, Dr. Rafiu Soyele had in attendance, amongst others: immediate past Provost of the college, Dr. Ayodele Ajayi, Alhaji Lukman Sodipe, Alhaji J.O. Popoola, Mr. Kola Ojelade, Alhaji Nurudeen Oyedele, Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Mosuud Adebayo. The event was organised by Committee of friends.
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