Dear Oga Bode,
Your demise is so painful. Too painful to swallow. The reality that you have passed to eternity is one we are yet to come to terms with.
You were like a colossus. No, you were a colossus. You bestrode the earth like one. Your impact, your reach, your life, your character made you larger than life.
I stand to be corrected but I am not very sure that there was any banker in Ibadan who had the kind of influence you had over the past decade. Those who didn’t know you even wanted to be associated with you. You had a good word for everyone.
You were so brilliant I coveted your brain. I wish I had half your intelligence. That’s enough for me. You knew almost everything. That’s why we loved to hang around you. There was always something to learn.
You had a great sense of humour. You threw soft jabs that left the victims yearning for more. Who will now tease my wife and I now?
You were kindness personified. If kindness were to have a Yoruba name, it would be Olabode. I can’t count how many times you have sent me CVs saying, “Please assist. He or she is my aburo”. I can’t count how many of us whom you lifted and helped. There is hardly any bank in Ibadan that doesn’t have a Bode protege.
I remember those days. When you moved, we were all ready to move with you. We trusted your decision. You carried us along like a mother hen. You ensured we got the best deals. We knew when it was time to move because you always had a song on your lips- “Ko i ye wọn, yóò ye wọn lọla”. Whenever we heard that song, we knew a move was around the corner.
You were a man that confronted adversity so many times and conquered. You were not one to give up. Your life was truly inspirational and not just your words. You have shown to us that the true measure of life is not in its duration but its donation.
I have gone through your pages since Tuesday when you passed and observed your deeply spiritual and reflective posts over the past one year. I have taken comfort in them that you’re in a better place. In a way, you were too good for this place. Far better than this imperfect earth. God gave you as a gift to us- to show us how to be better leaders and live impactful lives- and God took you back.
I’m very grateful I met you. I’m very grateful you took me like your very own brother. I’m very grateful that you helped me to navigate my career journey. I’m very grateful for all those wisdom nuggets you gave me. I’m very grateful you never forgot what Baba Ojotisa of IGEM told us both over 20 years ago. I have not forgotten and I will never forget.
Oga Bode, rest well. We will keep the light shining.
Bayo Adeyinka
