Tribute To My Leader, Mentor And Father Figure , His Excellency ,Olasoji Adagunodo – Bashorun Adekanola 

Clement Olasoji Adagunodo! Gone just like that! Erin wo, ajanaku sun bi oke! This is by no means a death of mourning (oku ofo), because it hurts too deeply; it hurts me to the bone marrow. None of us here can say that we imagined that a day like this would come so soon, but here we are, mourning one of the greatest men to have ever treaded the soil of our dear state. 

As the poet Emily Dickinson writes: “Because I could not stop for Death /He kindly stopped for me /The Carriage held but just Ourselves /And Immortality.”I wanted, we all wanted– to have Olasoji Adagunodo around for many decades to come, but alas, as Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister of blessed memory sang, death kills the diviner (babalawo) like he does not know Ifa, and the medicine man (onisegun) like he does not know medicine. We have all sewn the agbada of death. 

Olasoji Adagunodo, a devout Christian, is now in the Land Above, rejoicing with the saints triumphant. Of a truth, good men must die, but death cannot kill their names. For, as they say again, the only truly dead are those who have been forgotten. Clement Olasoji Adagunodo can never be forgotten, will never be forgotten!!

SOJ—I do not even know where, or how, to begin this tribute, for he was, in all ramifications, a good man, a  father figure, my mentor, a jolly good fellow. Of course he was no saint; he had his own fair share of human foibles, but even his staunchest critics will agree that this land has lost a gem. 

He was one politician who knew too well, how to be a political opponent without being a sworn enemy, a lesson that many have failed to learn. Adagunodo had an incredible ability to forgive and many took advantage of it: he quickly let bygones be bygones. He was different not just in politics but in his personal life. He bore no grudges, bowed to superior argument, took care of the people without flinging his goodness in their faces. 

He was, a destiny helper for many, including me. He lifted me up, taught me how to lift others from the morass of despondency into happiness and fulfillment. Everything I have become in politics, I owe to him. He was my godfather. He will never be forgotten. I am not just saying this as his diehard follower: that is the testimony on the streets, throughout the length and breadth of Osun state.

Adieu, a Political General, I have lost perhaps one of the most experienced politicians  that this state has ever produced, a grass-roots politician, He rose from a State Chairman of PDP to National Vice Chairman. A dodged fighter is gone, a scientific fighter is gone and  an illustrious Prince of Ilowa in Osun state is gone.

Awaye ku o si, Orun nikan ni àrè ma bo. Death is inevitable. It’s extremely difficult to bid you goodnight Oga, your death is difficult to bear for me, you understood my mood, Adagunodo will say ‘Adeolu, you and Bashorun are my ears, you are Soji Adagunodo, I value our relationship and I never pray it ends’, unknown to us that it will end on 8th May, 2023. The vacuum left behind by Olasoji Adagunodo will be difficult to fill. 

It’s a thing of joy that I served and remained loyal to you 100% till your last day on earth, I never for one day go beyond our plans or do otherwise against our joint decisions. I know even in death you will be proud of me. Oga it’s difficult to bid you goodnight, sugbon Erupe ni AWA, AWA yio si pada di Erupe.

Rest in the bosom of your Creator, Honourable Clement Olasoji Adagunodo, till we meet to part no more-Bashorun Adekanola writes from Osogbo