How Elder Adegbite buried father-in-law, Pa Adetayo Soyemi, in grand style

Pix: Late Pa J.A. Soyemi

By  Our Reporter

A Lagos based Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria(ICAN), Elder Johnson Adekunle Adegbite(FCA) last Thursday buried his father in-law , late Pa Joseph Adetayo Soyemi, in grand style all, Sagamu, Ogun State.

Late Soyemi, fondly called Baba Teacher, died on Monday January 4, 2021,  at age 98, inside his Sagamu residence.
Elder Adegbite, Principal Partner of Adegbite & Co, a firm of chartered accountants, with office in Lagos, is the husband of the deceased’s first daughter, Mrs Elizabeth Adeola Adegbite.

Pix: Elder J.A.Adegbite, FCA.
The Christian wake keep service was organised at his Isote, Makun residence on Wednesday.It was a glorious exist for him as his corpse, laid in a white casket, was taken in a cart with a very robust horse  on Thursday morning to the Cathedral of St. Paul, Sagamu, Anglican Diocese of Remo, Church of Nigeria, for funeral and thanksgiving service. 

Pix: R-L: Elder Adegbite, his wife and Mr Ajayi(An Accountant)

The programme which commenced by 10am was attended by  all classes of people from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, and other states of Nigeria.Teachers, civil servants, politicians, business moguls, accountants, community leaders and many others.

Side Attractions:

To make it more glamorous, being a celebration of life for a successful nonagenarian teacher who was survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, there were a lot of side attractions, to give him the last respects.

Pix: The Adegbite’s: L-R: Mrs Olayiwola, Chief Adegbite, Mrs Odulate, Mrs Okuwoga and Chief Adenuga.

Even as people were observing COVID-19 protocols, the pallbearers still displayed the casket in an interesting manner, while the funeral service was going on in the cathedral. The service was officiated by the Dean of the Cathedral, Ven. E.A. Adegbuyi, the Canon-in-Residence; Revd. Canon P.O. Akinpelu and the Cathedral Priests; Revd. E.O. Akinlawon and Revd P.M.Adelabu, and others.

Pix: Lady Lola Solaru(Pa Soyemi’s 2nd Daughter)

After the church service, family members and fem other friends they moved to the cemetery for the interment.

Reception 

Pix: Mrs Adegbite and her in-law, Mrs Awoyemi

It was a colorful ceremony that attracted members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities. ASUU, who were guests of Prof Saheed Adekilekun of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. 

Pix: Prof Adekilekun (Elder Adegbite’s son-in-law) and Mr. Adebayo Adegbite

Members of the ICAN who were guests of Elder Adegbite(FCA) and the Obateru of Ondo Kingdom, Chief Bayo Ogunmoyero (FCA). Friends, club members, business associates, among others.

Members of the Adegbite Royal Family of Sagamu, among them, a community leader and security expert, Aro Ademola Adegbite, Olootu M.T.A Adenuga, veteran printing merchant, Elder Seyi Pedro, Mrs Olayiwola, Mrs Abosede Odulate, Mrs Ibironke Okuwoga.

The Publisher/Editor of Successful People Magazine, Charles Segun Adegbite, Hon. Adeyiga Awoyemi, Mrs Adenike Adekilekun and her siblings, among others.

Pix: Elder Seyi Pedro, Mrs Olayiwola and Elder Adegbite (FCA)

Notable industrialist and chairman of Atunrase Royal Carpets, Otunba Lateef Shofowora, the Lisa of Ofin, Sagamu, High Chief Adeyemi Salami, former Majority Leader of the Legislative Council of Sagamu Local Government, Hon. Fasasi Tiamiyu, and others.

Indomie Hospitality 

Pix: Elder Seyi Pedro and Mrs Olayiwola.

DUFIL Prima Foods PLC, manufacturers of Indomie Noodles was also present at the reception, with their mobile kitchen. They provided fast food to support a lot of African foods and drinks made available by the hosts for invited guests and non invited guests who always stray to social gatherings to scavenge for delicious food and drinks.

L-R: Mrs Adegbite and her daughters, Mrs Tolulope Eniafe and Mrs Adenike Adekilekun.

They cooked and supplied free plates of Indomie noodles for the guests of Elder(Mrs) Adeola Adegbite, their major distributor for over two decades, who invited them.

His Short Profile  

Late Joseph Adetayo Soyemi, was born on 5th September 1922 into the family of Late Pa Amos Soyemi Oso and late Madam Jeminah Oyebajo Adeeso Soyemi of Adeeso Royal Family of Isote, Makun Sagamu, Ogun State.

R-L: Mrs Tolulope Eniafe, her husband, daughter, mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

He started his schooling at the Wesley School, Ewu-Ode, a village in Makun, Sagamu, in 1937. He later became a Grade 11 teacher after attending the course.He started his teaching career in 1946 at Anglican School, Ogijo, in the then Ijebu-Remo division of the Western Region, now Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

L-R: Mrs Alekujina and other Adegbites

In 1948 he got marred to Miss Caroline Ebunola Awokoya and the marriage was blessed with five children; three daughters and two sons. The wife, Madam Caroline Ebunola Soyemi passed on a few years ago.

R-L: Mrs Pedro, Elder Adegbite and Mrs Olayiwola

Late Pa Soyemi was baptized in 1936 by Rev. Mellor and was confirmed in 1952 by Bishop Howells. In 1956, he was licensed  a lay reader at Anglican Church, Abigi in Ijebu Warerside Area of Ogun State, by Bishop Howells of Lagos Diocese, while he was a teacher at Efire Anglican School, Abigi.He also became a lay reader at Cathedral of St. Paul, Sagamu. 

Mr Adebayo Femi Adegbite and his wife.

After teaching in many schools for 38years he retired at Anglican School, Simawa, Sagamu in 1984.He was a member of the Young Men Christian Association, YMCA. His service to God and activities in the church were recognised with the award of a Fellow of Remo Anglican Diocese(FRAD)

Tributes

  

R-L: Mrs Christiana A. Adegbite (Wife of the Publisher/Editor of Successful People Magazine) and Mr Femi Adegbite“

…A father, friend, confidant, helper and counselor to me. You were many things to me. You were a man of prayer. Whenever I was faced with challenges, you always prayed for me and encouraged me to trust in the Lord…

You left us with a good memory which we would forever cherish. Our joy is that you had a good opportunity to prepare for eternal home which evidently you fully utilized. You were and epitome of God’s love and care for humanity. You served God genuinely and devotedly. The Almighty God blessed you with long life and you lived a fulfilled and victorious life.”-Madam Adeola Adegbite (His first daughter)

Members of the ASUU, Obafemi Awolowo University Chapter.“Our grandfather was a great and courageous man. When we think about him, the words that come to our minds are: hardworking, caring, humorous, faithful, God fearing, respectful, storyteller, teacher, disciplinarian, religious and a complete family man.

These are just a few words that we can describe our grandpa with, but it is impossible to summarize how great a person he was in words…”-Children and grandchildren of late Mr. Clement Oladega Soyemi(The 1st Son)

Members of the ASUU, Obafemi Awolowo University Chapter

“You are an unforgettable sweet and godly father to us all.. I fact there is no one like you, for the help you rendered to your father and mother’s families. Nobody can fill the vacuum that your departure created, but I know that God  is there for us.I thank the Almighty God for your life, having devoted your time for God and humanity.

The Anglican Church at Imota where I started with you for every station you were posted to, would not forget you. The Saint Saviour Church at Emuren will always remember you…My father, you thought me to believe in God, and to rely upon His words. I love you my father for the legacy you left for us your children…”-Lady Lola Solaru(2nd Daughter)

Prof Adekilekun’s sisters.

”Our darling grandpa, words can’t express how greatly you would be missed. You have been a guiding pillar of strength in all our lives and a true role model…”-Mr. Fredrick Oluseyi Soyemi’s children

R-L: Elder Adegbite and his friend and the wife(Middle)

“Papa mi, as I fondly called you, you were in every sense, a rare gem, and your exist from this world is a great loss to us all because I thought you will live up to 100years.

Pix: Mrs CSA Adegbite

“I will not say mush about all you added to us, but it is sure evident in the peace and love resonating in the families of your children. Indeed, you are a wonderful father and of sweet disposition”.-Mrs Sola Ogunmoyero (Last Daughter)

The Adegbites: R-L: Aro
Adegbite, Elder Adegbite and Olootu Adenuga

”Baba Teacher, as he was fondly called, was a devoted Christian whose committed Christian life was worthy of emulation. A man of great faith. He was a disciplinarian, loving, caring, supportive and forthright. We missed you, but take solace in the fact that you are with the Lord.”-Elder Kunle Adegbite, FCA(Son-in-Law; Vice Chairman, Adegbite Royal Dynasty of Remo Kingdom)

“I thank God for the life you lived, the example you set, the minds you inspired, and the love you had for your family; both the nuclear and extended one. We will miss you, but we take solace, knowing your legacy lives on.”-Chief Bayo Ogunmoyero, FCA, GCOP, JP(Son-in-Law and Obateru of Ondo Kingdom)

Pix: The Adekilekuns

The success of the event is a confirmation of the common sayings that “All is well that ends well”

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