Tributes & Memories

A Tribute to a Life of Impact, Knowledge and Kingdom Service By Kolade Abimbola There are some people whose passage through our lives cannot be measured merely by the number of years they spent with us, but by the depth of the impact they made, the knowledge they shared, the lives they touched, and the values they left behind. Engr. Olugbenga Olabenjo was such a man. To me, Engr. Olabenjo was not just a leader, friend and mentor, he was a man whose life demonstrated the power of knowledge, humility, service, faith and genuine concern for others. He gave himself freely, shared his wisdom generously, and never seemed to hold back when there was an opportunity to teach, guide, encourage or make a difference. I first came into a closer relationship with him through CODISA in 2012, when he served as Vice Chairman. Our relationship grew stronger in 2016 when he became the leader and I was given the responsibility of serving as Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee. Those years gave me the privilege of experiencing his leadership more closely and of seeing the qualities that made him so respected and admired. One of the things that stood out about Engr. Olabenjo was his dedicated leadership. He led with purpose and commitment, giving his time, knowledge and energy to the causes he believed in. He understood that leadership was not simply about occupying a position; it was about responsibility, service and leaving an organisation better than one met it. He also possessed a remarkable command of words and speech. He had an exceptional ability to express himself clearly, thoughtfully and appropriately. He always seemed to know what to say, regardless of the situation. Whether the moment called for wisdom, encouragement, correction, reassurance or direction, he had a way of finding the right words. His words were not merely spoken; they carried experience, insight and purpose. Yet, perhaps one of the greatest qualities I admired in him was his ability to recognise and appreciate the contribution of others. He never made people feel that their efforts were insignificant. He understood that every member of a team had a role to play and was generous in acknowledging those contributions. His appreciation encouraged people to give their best and reminded them that their service mattered. Beyond his leadership, there was a deeply personal side of Engr. Olabenjo that I will always remember. Whenever he called me on the phone, he would ask after my wife and every one of my children before proceeding with the business of the day. He genuinely wanted to know how they were doing. It was not a mere courtesy or routine question. There was sincerity in his concern. That simple act always reminded me of my father, because it was also a habit my father displayed. Like my father, Engr. Olabenjo understood that relationships are not built solely around work or responsibilities; they are built by caring about the people behind the work. That memory is particularly precious to me because it captures the man beyond the titles and achievements—a man with a heart for people. His faith was another defining dimension of his life. He loved God and was willing and ready to do Kingdom work. His service was not driven merely by recognition or position. He understood service as an opportunity to honour God and to be a blessing to others. He gave of himself willingly, and his commitment to the things of God was evident in the way he approached life and service. At the completion of his tenure as CODISA Chairman in 2020, he bestowed upon me the title “Chief Kolade Abimbola, the Olu Omo 1 of CODISA.” I received that honour with gratitude, but beyond the title itself, I treasured what it represented—the trust, affection, friendship and relationship that had developed over the years. Today, when I look back, I realise that some titles are not merely conferred; they become reminders of relationships and moments that remain permanently etched in the heart. That title will forever remind me of Engr. Olabenjo and the special place he occupied in my life. His life was a lesson in giving without holding back, leading without diminishing others, teaching without seeking to keep knowledge to oneself, and serving without demanding recognition. He impacted people through what he knew, but perhaps even more through who he was. The people he led, the people he mentored, the organisations he served, the families he cared about and the communities to which he contributed all carry pieces of his legacy. His influence will continue in the lives of those who learnt from him, worked with him, listened to him and were encouraged by him. As we mourn his departure, we must also celebrate the gift that his life was. We thank God for the privilege of knowing him. We thank God for the years He gave him, for the wisdom He deposited in him, and for the many lives He allowed Engr. Olabenjo to touch. For me personally, I will remember him as a dedicated leader, a wise counsellor, a gifted communicator, a generous teacher, a man who valued people, a friend who cared about my family, and above all, a man who loved God and was willing to serve His Kingdom. Engr. Olugbenga Olabenjo may have left this earthly stage, but the impact of his life remains. His memory will remain a blessing, and his legacy will continue to speak through the lives he touched. Rest well, Engr. Olugbenga Olabenjo. You gave freely. You led faithfully. You loved genuinely. You served wholeheartedly. And you left the world better than you found it. May your soul rest in perfect peace. Amen. Chief Kolade Abimbola Olu Omo 1 of CODISA

TRIBUTE TO ENGR. OLABENJO It is with a heavy heart that I pay tribute to a remarkable boss, mentor, and friend, Engr. Olabenjo. I had the privilege of working with him at the Water and Sanitation Department of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in the early 1990s, where he was my boss. Beyond being a respected professional and a good leader, he was a kind-hearted, thoughtful, and compassionate person who genuinely cared about the people around him. Engr. Olabenjo was also very close to my family and was deliberate in showing his care and support. He regularly sent "Our Daily Bread" devotionals to our family, prayed for us, and celebrated our important milestones. After each of my children's graduations, he would thoughtfully bring plaques to celebrate with us. These gestures meant so much to my family and reflected the warmth, faith, generosity, and kindness that characterised his life. He was a great inspiration to me, both professionally and personally, and I remain deeply grateful to God for the privilege of knowing and working with him. His kindness, prayers, guidance, and the positive impact he had on our lives will remain cherished memories and will never be forgotten. May God grant him eternal rest and grant his family, friends, colleagues, and all who mourn his passing the strength and comfort to bear this great loss. Rest in peace, Engr. Olabenjo. You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Tribute to Baba Baba, words can hardly express how much you meant to me and how deeply your passing has touched my heart. You were more than just a father figure to me. You were my mentor, my adviser, my supporter, and someone I could always count on. You guided me when I needed direction, encouraged me when I felt discouraged, and stood by me during some of the important moments of my life. I will never forget how you supported and assisted me during my NYSC. Your kindness, advice, and encouragement made that period easier for me, and I will always be grateful for everything you did. You didn’t have to be my biological father to love and care for me like one. You treated me with genuine concern and always wanted to see me succeed. Your words of wisdom and the lessons you taught me will remain with me for the rest of my life. Although you’re no longer here with us, your memories live on in my heart. I am grateful to God for allowing our paths to cross and for giving me someone like you who made such a positive impact on my life. Baba, you will be deeply missed, but you will never be forgotten. Thank you for being a father, mentor, adviser, and source of strength to me. Rest peacefully, Baba. Your legacy of love, kindness, and wisdom will continue to live on in my heart.

A final word to a worthy friend and brother, done with heavy heart, because it is final. Olu was more than himself in manifold ways. He was brilliant, resourceful, sharply analytical, selfless and focused. He always made everything look effortless and it was inevitable that his star shone so brightly. To his family, he was a rock and guiding light. To his friends, he was a guide and an utterly selfless ally. He was so ubiquitous in life, that it just seemed he would be around forever. But as we all know, our earthly life is short, Heaven is our home. Olu, the final word has to come. You have run a wonderful and impactful race on earth and it is time to say good bye. Sleep well my brother in the bossom of your Creator. "I'm but a stranger here, Heaven is my home.......Heaven is my fatherland, Heaven is my home." To your darling wife Tayo, adorable children and lovely grandchildren and all family members, may God comfort and bless you all. Olu is not dead, he's just asleep. Requiescat In Pace my brother, the resurrection morning will come.

TRIBUTE TO ENGR. OLUGBENGA OLATUNDE OLABENJO Engr. Olugbenga Olatunde Olabenjo, fondly called “Baba” by family members, was my boss, my mentor, and my friend. He loved everyone who accorded him the respect he deserved and had a genuine desire to see those around him succeed. Baba strongly desired that all his subordinates in the Engineering Department would become registered Engineers like himself. When I joined the organisation with an HND in Civil Engineering, he encouraged me to further my education at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). His encouragement and support contributed greatly to my academic and professional development, and for this, I will always be grateful. Baba was a loyal friend and a dependable mentor to his friends, colleagues, and their families. He went to great lengths to honour his friendships. He travelled across Nigeria and to different parts of Lagos simply to honour invitations from his friends. His loyalty and commitment to those he cared about were truly remarkable. He was also deeply compassionate and committed to helping others, particularly youths, widows, orphans, and the fatherless. He cared about the welfare of his staff and their families and was always willing to extend a helping hand to those in need. Many years ago, when one of our drivers passed away, Baba took responsibility for the welfare of the widow and her children. He also extended similar support to the families of some of his close friends who passed away. He continued to guide and mentor those children until they were able to fulfil their potentials and destinies. These acts of kindness demonstrated the depth of his compassion and his commitment to building better lives for others. Baba lived a life that touched many people. His kindness, loyalty, generosity, and mentorship have left lasting impressions on all those who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy will continue to live on through the many lives he influenced and the values he instilled in others. Baba, you will forever remain in our memories. I am grateful for the opportunity to have known you, worked with you, and benefited from your guidance and support. Adieu, Oga. Rest peacefully until we meet again in the bosom of our Creator. My prayers is for Almighty God to console us, the widow and the family he left. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen. Engr. (Mrs.) O. D. Olojede

Tribute to My Father, Engr. Olugbenga Olabenjo. I struggled for a long time to find the words to write this tribute. My mind was completely blank, perhaps because a part of me still had not fully come to terms with the fact that you were gone, despite having a front-row seat to your final days. The finality of death is a difficult thing to comprehend. I remember how you would often say, "Ile aye yi asan ni, ka sa ma se dada" ("This world is fleeting, so let us do good"). While I understood the literal meaning, I never truly grasped the depth of those words until your passing. Your final moments were incredibly difficult to witness because it felt as though you did not deserve all that you had to endure. While your passing remains painful and difficult to accept, we take comfort in the knowledge that you are resting in a better place, in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, where there is no more pain, suffering, or sorrow. Daddy, you were a man of exemplary character. There are so many things about you that I did not fully appreciate as a child, but which I now understand with age, experience, and the privilege of wisdom. You were a man of impeccable integrity. You lived out the principle that a good name is worth more than silver or gold. In a world where many compromise their values for temporary gain, you remained steadfast, choosing honour over convenience and integrity over wealth. I pray that I can live by the same principles that guided your life. One of my fondest memories was when I attempted the Common Entrance Examination while still in Primary Four. You promised me a gift when you returned from London if I passed. When I did, I imagined I would receive a PlayStation or some other game console, as any eight or nine-year-old child would. To my utter surprise, you bought me the complete works of Shakespeare. That was the very first time I vividly remember you telling me that "the reward for hard work is more work." You did not want me to rest on my laurels. You wanted me to keep growing, learning, and pushing myself towards the highest levels of my potential. I will forever be grateful for the sacrifices you made to ensure that I received the very best education possible. I thank God for giving me the grace to make you proud during your lifetime. I still remember how proud you were when I shared my final university results with you. While I was expecting another book or plaque, to my great surprise, my true Ijebu father handed me an envelope containing $1,000 and said, "Congratulations, you have made me proud." That moment remains one of my most treasured memories. It is only now that I understand why you never accepted anything less than my absolute best. At the time, I often felt that you were not fully appreciative of my efforts. Looking back, I realise it was your way of preparing me for the real world, where there are no guardrails, and because you believed in me so deeply. You were convinced that I was destined to stand among the very best, and you refused to let me settle for anything less. These lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and have become a core part of who I am: never becoming complacent, but continually striving for excellence. Thank you for the beautiful childhood memories you created for us. From the road trips to Yankari Games Reserve with Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade playing in the background, to visits to NICON NUGA, the countless suya treats, trips to Gateway Hotel in Ijebu and Golden Gate, the Digifest summer camps in Abuja, and the many trips to Gombe. I also remember the many visits to friends and loved ones, through which you taught us the value of relationships and the importance of nurturing them. Thank you for teaching me what it means to be a man. You showed me by example that men are formed by taking on responsibility and living for purposes greater than themselves. Your heart was large enough to accommodate everyone. You treated everyone with dignity and respect regardless of their social status or material possessions. You lived a selfless life in service to God and humanity. Your commitment to the less privileged was evident through your work with the Committee of the Disabled (CODISA) at Chapel of the Healing Cross, the Lagos Cheshire Home, The Gideons, and the numerous church-planting initiatives you supported. Through those efforts, countless lives were touched, churches were established in many remote communities across Nigeria, and the Gospel continues to be spread through them to this very day. Your impact lives on in ways that neither you nor many of us will ever fully know. Daddy, you were a great man. You did your best in your own way and to the fullest extent of your abilities and resources. For that, I will remain eternally grateful. You can rest peacefully knowing that "our babe," Mamaa, whom you have finally left for me, and all your girls, will be well looked after in your absence. Rest well, my dear father. Till we meet again, to part no more. Your loving son, Oluwatofarati Olabenjo

To the entire Olabenjo family, I pray for comfort and blessed memories as you reflect on Baba's passing on to glory. A great father has left us. An intentional, present and God fearing man. He was so true indeed, that if he had a few misteps, they came as a HUGE shock not a pattern of character, and I believe that is also something to celbrate in a life well lived. His passing has definitely left a void, and rightfully so. It is only right that if a righteous man departs, life should stop, the days should Selah, mourning should be embraced, because truly he lived for the good of man and the glory of God. I have know Baba as my friend Nkechi's dad. Their home was the backdrop of my childhood shenanigans. He was present, present, present! Never missing in action; a spiritual leader, a balanced family man, and a darling father. He was also very distinguished .... what I loved was that his prescence did not create fear, just order and a sense of peace and calm. I choose to celebrate Him because His life was full of a beautiful home, a darling wife, vibrant children who leave the world better than they found it. I have now heard of his many good deeds beyond the home, at work and in the community, and I am in no way shocked. All of it rings true and brings glory to God. Babaa, e sun re o. Your babies miss you dearly, and rightly so. Rest easy in our Fathers arms. Cheers to an exemplary life well lived. God bless your legacy. Funmbi Akinloye (nee Jolayemi)

A TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED BABAA, ENGINEER OLUGBENGA OLATUNDE OLABENJO It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of personal loss that I write this tribute to my dear in-law, my mentor, my brother and my friend, Engr Olugbenga Olatunde Olabenjo. His passing at the age of 75 marks the end of an era for our family, and the void he leaves behind is immense. To many, he was known as a distinguished Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Works, a man who retired with a legacy of excellence. I was fortunate enough to see this legacy firsthand. When I visited him in his office severally years ago prior to his retirement, I didn't just see a senior civil servant; I saw a leader who commanded respect not through fear, but through genuine camaraderie. The warm and excellent working relations he shared with his staff were a testament to his character; a man of integrity, humility, and profound people skills. He treated everyone with dignity, a lesson in leadership that I have carried with me throughout my own career. For me, however, Babaa was so much more than a retired civil servant. He was the patriarch of the home where my wife (Yewande) was raised. She lived with him and my dear sister-in-law for many years (after the loss of their parents), and it was from their loving home that I married her. This is where my special relationship with Babaa truly began. From the very first day I entered their home, he did not treat me as a stranger or just a prospective in-law. He welcomed me with the warmth of an elder brother. His open arms and genuine smile put me at ease, and an instant bond was forged. It was in those early days that his pivotal role in my life became clear. He saw the love between my wife and I, and he became my staunchest ally. I will never forget his support when he allowed my fiancée to travel to visit me in Kano, despite the reservations of others. That act of faith, trust, and love was the cornerstone on which our family was built, and I am eternally grateful for his wisdom and courage at that critical time. From that moment on, our relationship flourished. It was never just that of a son-in-law and father-in-law or brother-in-law; it was a deep and abiding friendship. He became one of my best confidants, indeed. In my journey through the military, from Lieutenant to Major General, he was a constant source of encouragement. He always had a word of wisdom, a pat on the back, or a quiet prayer to offer. He took immense pride in my achievements, and his belief in my abilities often gave me the strength to push forward. I will forever cherish the man I called "Babaa," the name everyone fondly knew him by. It was a name that signified not just a title, but the love, respect, and endearment he inspired in all who were close to him. His death is indeed a profound and sad event. I will miss his warm smile, his sage advice, the sound of his voice, and the simple joy of his presence. I have lost a father, a brother, a guide, and a dear friend. Adieu, Babaa. Rest in perfect peace. You lived a life of service, love, and honour. Your legacy will live on in the hearts of all you touched, and your memory will forever be a blessing to me and my family. With deepest love and respect, Major General Gbolahan Oyefesobi (rtd)

I heard great stories about you before I met you. I also read a loving letter that you shared with your daughter, Oluwaseun, when she turned 21 years of age. Two decades later, I finally had the privilege of meeting you personally. I remember the visits to Surulere to see you and Mamaa. You were peaceful, soft-spoken and attentive. Learning of your passing was, and still is, difficult. Yet, I am grateful that our paths crossed, however briefly. You lived a life that was reflected in the character of your children: disciplined, kind, gracious, grounded and full of love. That is perhaps one of the greatest legacies a father can leave. Thank you for the quiet impact you made and for the family you nurtured so well. May God grant Mamaa, Oluwaseun and the entire family the fortitude to bear this profound loss, the comfort of His presence and the assurance that your life was truly well lived. Rest peacefully, Sir. “To live in the hearts we live behind, is not to die”. Thomas Campbell Your memory will remain a blessing.

I will first thank the Almighty God for Babaa as we know him, for living a successful and fulfilled life . He was fully contended with everything he was sent to achieve in this world, to the point that he prepared his resting place and was ready to succumb to the call of the Almighty in his time . This intention alone shows that Babaa was not an ordinary person. He was truly exemplary in all ramifications. Babaa is a Diamond, a blessing to humanity itself. He positively impacted many lives in his time. A true achiever and mentor he really was. Words cannot describe the exceptional person he was. My prayer for him, is that God Almighty in his infinite mercy will forgive him of all his iniquities and put him in his right hand. Good bye for now brother, we shall all see you embedded in the glory of the almighty in his time.