Kunle Adelabu
-Friend recalls his death
It was a solemn session as members of the 1997 Class set of the Oriwu College Old Students Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), on Thursday, staged a solemn procession for their late mate, Late Dr. Richard Adekola Idowu, popularly called, ‘Ade Ori Okin’.
They were joined by the National President, OCOSAN, Alhaji Arole Muhammed Busariu Soyebo, FCNA, National Publicity, Mr Lateef Sholanke, and other chieftains of the foremost students’ association.
Also part of the procession were representatives of Class sets of 1995 and 2002.
The procession, which began at the Oriwu College premises around 4:00pm, saw the bereaved former students boarding a luxurious bus and other vehicles which conveyed them out of the school through Rep. Babajide Benson (formerly Igbe Road, Igbogbo, Oreyo, Igbe Laara in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and finally at Igbe- Oloja where they disembarked to start a procession to the deceased house at Kunle Matti Close, Igbe Oloja, Ijede LCDA.
During the procession from the Igbe – Oloja junction to the late Dr Idowu’s home that lasted about 40 minutes, Oriwu College old students who all carried candles, sang along to expressed their grieves and loss.
At the deceased home where they were joined by other old students and residents, special prayers were offered for the repose soul of Dr Idowu’s soul, his family and friends that he left behind.
Tributes were paid to his memories by former class sets and others.
Mr Olatunji Shakioye, Chairman, Class of 1997, described the former late colleague as an angel that came to deliver good message and has returned back to His Creator.
He said that the deceased lived a fulfilled life and impacted on people.
“We are not here to mourn or cry anymore about the deceased. What has happened has happened. Richard has come to this planet earth, tried his best and returned”, Shakioye said.
“Today’s event is all about celebrating his life and we appreciate you all for coming. On behalf of the Class of 1997 set, I thank you all.
“God gave him the little that he had and he was always given out to his people. It was after his death that I heard that he was even paying some of our mates salaries on a monthly basis and they are not working for him.
“At my birthday last year, he sent me some money to mark it. He was always spending and giving out to the people”, he recalled.
He described the deceased as an angel that done his bit within a short period.
“To amaze you, Richard never stayed in Nigeria, but he was always around and whenever he was around, he reached out to his people”, he said.
“Although, Richard has gone like Jesus that did wonderful things but left within a short time.The circumstances surrounding his death might be very painful, but I know that good men don’t live for long.
“Like an angel, he has come to discharge his message and returned back to his Creator”
Shakioye charged colleagues to emulate the deceased worthy life and be good to others.
A friend of the deceased who was with him when he was killed, described him as a good person who cared about others and impacted on Nigerians abroad.
Others that paid tributes to the departed Dr Richard Idowu, also spoke about his good deeds.
His remains would be buried today at his home in Igbe – Oloja, Ijede LCDA.
