The news of the tragic demise of my dear brother and friend got to me with utter disbelief and utmost shock.
Chief, as I fondly called him, was always on a daily conversation with me. His last was on Sunday while on his way out of Ekirin Adde (his native land), after participating in the November 11 gubernatorial election.
The wailing voice of sister Bimbo (his immediate junior) ruptured my night the following day with the shattering news of the death of my long standing ally whom whom I had cultivated an intimate relationship within the last two decades. I was caught in the web of disbelief and wished that somebody would wake me up the following morning to discountenance the story. Sadly, the wife (Kehinde) dashed my hope with an early morning call, confirming the passage of her husband.
The news threw me into a trance for the whole day, reflecting on the concept and ideal of life; its ephemeral nature, hollowness and vanity. I pondered on my several discussions with Chief, most times bordering on politics, living and life. Ironically, not too long ago, Sola had cause to break to me the news of the death in Lagos of a mutual friend, Adeniyi Ayodele.
Sola lived a bustling life: On a personal note, I struck a cord and comradeship with him at the University of Ilorin. Our path crossed each other when he and Rasheed Na’Allah (the current Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja) contested the students’ union presidency and he emerged as the winner of the election. This naturally brought us together as soul mates in the national students movement haven, where I previously served the Union as the public relations officer in the 1982/83 session.
Adedoyin’s leadership of the entire student body of Unilorin brought him to national limelight in the mid-1980s, especially during the national students protest against the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme. He consistently engaged the authority in constructive dialogue and created a robust synergy with the student body.
My relationship with Sola further blossomed when I moved to Abuja in 2008 after my tenure as Chairman of OgoriMagongo Local Government Area. In 2010, Adedoyin led me to Ekirin Adde for the conferment of a chieftaincy title (Aderogba of Ekirin Adde) on me in recognition of my association with him and a horde of friends from Ekirin Adde land. To his eternal credit, Ekirin Adde has since become my second home after my native OgoriMagongo land.
As we commit Sola into mother earth, he would be remembered as a proud son of Ekirin Adde, a Yoruba nationalist, a policy advocate and a politician of the progressive bloc. In his political trajectory, Sola feared no foe and bared his thoughts with inner conviction.
I would miss his brotherly engagement and wise political counseling.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Hon. Mathew Keyi, Ph.D
Former Chairman
OgoriMagongo Local Government Area (2004-2007)
