DATELINE: Saturday, February, 28, 1976.
Over Two Thousand very young boys aged between 9 to 12-year-old, the best from their Primary Schools gathered for entrance examination to St. John’s Grammar School, Oke Atan, Ile- Ife. Each exhibiting restrained exuberance in fear of not qualifying for the much coveted admission into the best Secondary institution in the newly created Oyo State, they showed dexterity in aptitude and oratorical skills. ADEOYE ADERINWALE was one of the extraordinarily brilliant Pupils admitted in that exercise. His admission number was 1283.
His early Class days were filled with the vibrancy of youth and vigor. He was competent in all subjects and spiced life with pranks. It must have been his effective learning attitude that gave him the time to engage in the adventurous “Jungle trekking” past time of Johnians. Deoye, being smart and athletic he befriended many boys across different Sets. His alliance was extensive and he became a rallying point as we transverse the several Akodis of Ile – Ife dancing Discos in one form of celebration or the other over the weekends all through the late 70’s to the early 80’s.
Adeoye Aderinwale was one of the few who gained admission to the University in 1981 as we graduated from St. John’s Grammar School. It wasn’t a surprise he was admitted into the Faculty of Science as he was academically competent in all subjects. He developed into an enigmatic character, open and welcoming on Campus and easily became the Unifier of Johnians who later got admitted to the University of Ife as it was then known (Now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife).
His adventurous spirit and his philosophy of loving all irrespective of Class or Creed saw him working and making friends in all parts of the Nation even as far as Calabar where he was recognized by the Obong as his friend.
Amiable, unassuming and highly magnanimous, Deoye was a central figure and rallying point for all Members of 1976/81 and other Sets of Johnian Eagles resident in Ibadan. He was a great link to ‘Our Lady Girls’ who remained our friends since our Secondary School days. Our Lady’s Girls High School, equally a Catholic Secondary institution in Ile-Ife attended by girls only, shared our social space. We cherish the friendship built amongst us over decades.
Empathetic, Jalaqua (as he was fondly called by his close Friends) created a pool of friends cutting across the Academia, Journalism, Music, Business, and Politics. His business outfit, GQ Suites was a meeting place for all. Deoye employed his vast network of friends to solve daily family issues and creating opportunities for whosoever asked him. The dynamics of running a Hotel facility is tasking. Ade combined the competence of a good business manager with the aura of friendliness to excel. He at several times refused to be drawn into vexatious issues and would rather sit down warring partners to amicable settlements than take sides no matter how related he is to any of the parties. Jala is not easily attracted to any business offering excessive profits. He listens to the tales but refuses to be lured into any proposition until he is doubly sure the deal is legal. His mantra had always been ‘Okele gbigbe pelu alaafia, O san ju Ile to kun fun eran pelu Ija’. He lived a life of contentment.
Adeoye was not careless about his health. He spent money on Comprehensive medical checkup at least twice a year. He’d always believed the advances in Medical Sciences is potent enough to detect anything going wrong in our fast aging bodies. We’d always joked that Medical Sciences has proven Witches and Wizards ineffective. Ade collected all fruits and herbs with great health benefits for consumption as a natural therapy to aid our aging “gracefully’. He had collected seeds of Grape, Tangerine, Lime and Citrus Orange for planting such that they will supply more than enough fruits for him and his Friends in due season.
Deoye is of the ancient Adejokun Family stock domiciled in Ile-Ife primarily and later, Ipetumodu where his aged Father still lives. He was an ardent Christian, Father of Three beautiful Children and a loyal friend and greatest companion to his Wife. He respects and honors her fervently. His greatest priority was to offer his children the best educational training available and to imbue in them the spirit of great discipline and selflessness. It is worthy of note that he will abort our company in Ile-Ife to pass the night in Ipetumodu and spend quality time with his father. We were preparing to converge for his Father’s birthday early in October. Ade told us he would have given a worthy celebration for his Dad’s birthday if the 85-year-old gentleman had not insisted on a quiet day. We however agreed to visit him at GQ Suites for a feast on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.
Thus, the vain of our preparations and the throes of our sadness as Deoye bid the world goodbye early in the morning of Thursday, September 30, 2021. Only God knew what happened in those fleeting moments when the Eagle flew to roost. We will never understand the incomprehensible moment when Ade couldn’t wait to bid us goodbye. The shock was more pronounced on some of us he spoke with a few days before he flew to glory. His words of courage and strength will ever remain fresh. Adeoye, left too much memories in the hearts of those who knew him. Testimonies of his good manliness and friendliness abound in torrents. The out pouring of emotions at the news of his demise may not be sufficient to wake him up from his eternal rest, but they may be good for sobriquets on his headstone to herald the departure of a jolly good fellow. Below is a synopsis of the deluge of expressions on our social media pages:
Without any sign death came suddenly like a breeze and swept our friend off our midst. It hurts waking up to the reality of Deoye’s death. Indeed we have lost a perfect example of a perfect gentleman. Ade was such a jolly good fellow, not just a bridge builder but the bridge connecting friends and foes while sustaining friends with friends. A friend of all times, a confidant and a strengthening force just took off for such a journey of no return.
Ade lived a good life,
Yes, we sorrow
Yes, we grieve
But we take solace in the fact that our friend and brother, Adeoye, gave life to the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson that: “it’s not the length of life but the depth of life” that matter.
Certainly, Adeoye lives on in our hearts!!!
The entire 76/81 Set of St. John’s Grammar School, Oke-Atan, Ile-Ife.
