By Raheem Akingbolu
I have heard many people echo this; “nobody says bad of the dead” but truth is that the real character, however bad, will be discussed among two, three friends or family members in their closet. If you are bad those who cry in the open and praise you will dissect your person later.
Yes, Yoruba will say “Ojo a ku land’ere, eeyan o sunwon laaye”, this still confirms the fact that nobody talks bad of the dead. But it’s not entirely true.
Since Sunday, when the news broke that Abdul Imoyo , the Head of Media Relations at Access Holdings has transited, I have gone beyond social media tributes to have conversation with not less than 20 individuals on him and the verdict has remained the same; he was good to a fault. Till this moment, I can’t still process it well. His death has just reconfirmed the belief that good people don’t last (igi to ba to kiipe nigbo).
I called him ‘Mr. Access’ not only because he worked with Access Bank but because of the easy access he provided for all. Abdul was the best of them all. Those who knew him closely as a reporter attested to the fact that he remained thesame person all through -humble, pleasant and sincere. Abdul did the job like the Omoluabi that he was. I don’t know how to waylay our friends at the corporate side for favour but Abdul dragged me out and made me a friend as he did to others with all sincerity.
I gained a lot from Abdul but I didn’t remember him because of the goodies but his good nature. I didn’t remember Abdul because of the end of the year rice or Ileya ram but I remember him because of his humility. I remember him today like many other friends because he was exactly what he appeared to be. He was sincere, no air around him and no ego. He was accessible any day and was straightforward. Unlike many others out there, Abdul didn’t flatter anybody, he appeared real and sincere all through.
I remember Abdul calling me days after I had gone to Ekiti to bury my late parents in 2015 and returned. He felt bad that I didn’t extend invite to him and the organisation he represented. Few days later, Abdul ‘blessed’ me beyond expectation. Then three years ago, I had hurriedly put together a surprise 40th year birthday in honour of my wife and invited a few friends to the White House Hotel, GRA Ikeja. Thanks to Olamide Bakare and Bolaji Abimbola who helped lured in the birthday girl and our friend Allen Ose-Ediale who insisted we must do it. It was meant to be a small get-together and so didn’t invite Abdul but I was shocked to see him and a few members of the Association of Corporate & Marketing Communications Professionals in Banks in Nigeria (ACAMB), including the current President, Rasheed Bolarinwa and Ramon Nasir of UBA Holdings. The last assignment Abdul embarked on was also for my wife. My wife’s phone was stolen and the hoodlums used the phone to borrow money through her Access Bank account. The poor woman had paid the huge sum half way before Abdul heard from a mutual friend. He called me few months ago and requested for Madam’s details. I didn’t hear from him after that but didn’t want to put pressure, I didn’t know he wasn’t feeling fine.
I have cried and asked questions as expected of anybody whose path crossed this fantastic man while on this side of the world but his death has also taught me further lessons. We can’t live forever but we can leave a legacy of integrity, we can leave a legacy of kindness, we can leave a legacy of humility and we can leave a legacy of serving God and humanity. With these and many other good attributes, we can live forever in the heart of our loved ones.
Good night Abdul Kolawole Imoyo!
Raheem Akingbolu writes on Brands & Marketing for ThisDay
