Kunle Adelabu
The Nigerian public affairs commentators and On Air Personalities of the broadcast media, early today, lost a gem and an informed analyst, Mr Smart Oluwole Apejoye. He was 58 year-old.
He was one of the major supporters of THE IMPACT.
Smart was a regular face on Journalists Hangout on Television Continental (TVC) and many other programmes on Channels among others.
The late public analyst and community developer was a farmer and youth developer in Igbogbo, Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.
Smart, a graduate of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos, and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, was a former staff of the United Bank for Africa PLC.
THE IMPACT gathered that late Smart who was hail and hearty returned from.his farm on Friday and later had his dinner before going to the bed.
He was discovered dead when his wife, who was home from Abuja for the Easter holiday, tried waking him up for late night prayer.
The public analyst died peacefully in his sleep.
Many participants on THE IMPACT WhatsApp platform where late Smart Apejoye was a regular commentators, reacted to his death when the platform administrator broke the sad news.
Otunba Dare Odufowokan, a political editor with The Nation newspaper and also a regular face on the Journalists Hangout who had encountered late Smart on many occasions on public analysis programmes on television and radio, said that he is going to be greatly missed.
“Smart Apejoye’s demise is a blow. An enigmatic peace lover and astute professional just left our midst. Sad Sad! ”, Onafowokan said.
“You can imagine the loss for the clan of Public Affairs Analysts and OAPs in Nigeria. His is a loss that will linger for a long time. Sad”, the Nation newspaper’s political editor added.
Mr Hassan Temidayo, a lecturer and General Secretary of the Lagos State Polytechnic Alumni Association, Ikorodu Chapter, described Smart’s death as a sad occurrence.
“I received the sad news of the sudden death of Mr. Smart Apejoye with deep shock.The solace is that he has gone back to rest eternally with the Creator who is the giver and taker of life”, he said.
“May God give his family, colleagues and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“Accept my deepest condolences”.
A CDA Chairman in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Mr Adewale Gbadamosi, who also expressed sadness over Smart’s death, said that Smart was vibrant while he was alive.
“Wow, what killed this vibrant man?. I saw him last about two months ago at an event at De-Sleek Hotel and he was very healthy. He delivered a speech at the event”, he said.
“May Almighty Allah grant his soul eternal rest”.
Prince Idowu Oyefusi, Noble Afrik, a reputable fashion designer and teacher, also expressed shock over Smart’s death.
“Unbelievable and very unfortunate. What a loss. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen”, he prayed.
Owolabi Anifowoshe, a prominent youthful political figure in Ikorodu, in his own reaction, said that late Smart was an undiluted progressive with brilliant ideas.
“This is indeed shocking and sad news… Mr Smart’s passion for the ideals is undiluted, a staunch progressive ideologue, a brilliant and erudite public affairs expert…. what a loss”, he said.
Mr Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA), an aspirant for the Ikorodu Constituency II Assembly seat, said that his relationship with late Smart spanned over two decades while describing him as a rally point for youths.
He also said that he was a major supporter of his aspiration till his death.
“It’s really sad that I am writing this about Uncle Smart Apejoye, I couldn’t have thought I would refer to him with past tense even in a decade to come”, he lamented.
“My relationship with Uncle Smart spans over two decades and has transformed from mere friendship to a family bond, he was a rallying point for youths and children in Babalola Aroyewun Crescent where he lived during our formative years.
“Till his demise, he remained an unrepentant HOAIST who would easily refer to the roles played by the likes of Otunba R.B.O Aroyewun, Chief Reuben Olowu and a host of others in guiding young minds like him at that time as one of the strong reasons for supporting my youthful aspiration.
“To say I will miss him so much is a euphemism of the extent of grief, he remains an icon anytime.
“I pray for the repose of his soul and most importantly, the Almighty God should be with my dear aunty Idowu and the children.
“Uncle Smart lives on”, he said.
