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Monday, June 15,2020 was a day I woke up hoping to celebrate our outgoing local council’s Head of Administration, Kabiru Oba Adelaja on the occasion of his pulling-out ceremony from the public service , the excitement in me was huge as he stood out to be a major backbone in the journey heralding the construction of our new ultra-modern administrative edifice, in addition, the eagerness
to celebrate him was that he literally didn’t spend a month to operate administratively in the new building.
With the joyous expression garbing me on that fateful day, I was excited to continue the daily delivery of our administration’s landmark representation, as I presented a 500kva transformer to New Odo-Ogun Community Development Association domiciled in the Owode-Ajegunle Area of our beloved LCDA.
Adjusting my jolly mood to settle for the day’s merry-making so as to celebrate our phenomenal Head of Administration, a message reached my ears announcing the sudden demise of my mentor, the benefactor of the masses. Just within a second i was pained, and lost my control as I wept profusely like a new born baby that death has once again taken away a good man.
Bayo Osinowo fondly called Pepperito was a man of many parts, a great political tactician, a devoted Muslim, and a successful businessman, as a matter of fact, Osinowo principled all these features in his life style to build many individuals from zero to hero thereby reshaping many destines to meet accomplishments.
In furtherance of this unique character, Almighty God blessed him with another trait which is uncommon amongst humans, it was the courage to voice out the truth no matter whose ox is gored in an equation, no matter the pressure to change his gear he would never compromised on his stance for truth.
He was also reffered to as ‘SHEHU’ due to his gift of the gab, his talent of literal expression of words, as the heart-warming expressions coming out from him were always laden with total sincerity, as the usage of those advice for any individual will always reward a triumphful ending if followed to the letter.
Affirming the uniqueness of his words, Shehu in one of his contributions on the floor of the Nigerian Senate once said “God did not sign any agreement with anybody when He created us, God created us without notice and so God will take us away without notice ” He was a great philosopher of thought.
In the political ball game, Osinowo was a political mathematician who knew how to play his game to align with the interest of the highest majority in the electoral space when dealing with the public and members of our progressive party, the All Progressives Congress.
Serving as the arrowhead in any political domain, his steps were always all-encompassing resulting in triumphful outcomes, no doubt, these designed strategies provided the uncommon advantage for him to emerge victorious in all his political contests.
Indeed, Lagos East, the Nigerian State and the world at large has lost a grassroots leader, benefactor of the downtrodden and strongman of politics of development . Pepperito, will live in the hearts of many for his good deeds to mankind.
When I mirror on my voyage with the Osinowo family in all ramifications, I feel sad to miss a father figure, a builder of nobody to become somebody, and an actualizer of progress for those at the bottom of the pyramid. Once Osinowo knew an individual, he would always render his moral, financial, physical and spiritual support.
To the family, there cannot be enough words to comfort you during this moment, this monumental loss of yours is also our loss, as he had mentored many individuals across the world including my humbleself to become the first citizen of Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area.
We all know that the death of any individual is always painful, but please allow this exceptional soul to go to his last resting place in joy. He has seen more of the world because he stood as a mouthpiece of the common man.
Adieu Pepperito ! May his gentle soul rest in peace. (Amen)
