OLUKOREDE ADEYEMI HONOURED AT ONE YEAR MEMORIAL AND BOOK LAUNCH, ‘HEROES AND HEROINES’
• Fashola, Wahab, Ipaye and Others gave kudos.
How quickly time passes! It has been one year since the passing of Mr. Olukorede Oluwole Adeyemi, the pioneer Chief Operating Officer of Lagos First BRT Cooperative Society Ltd, the pioneer leader at the helms when the globally celebrated Bus Rapid Transit began in Lagos, Nigeria. He was also in charge of planning and implementing the company’s continuous training programme for its employees. This training programme is well-known for providing management, bus pilots, officers, and support staff with best practises in a variety of areas of life.
Oluwole Adeyemi, the great administrator, was also regarded as a cerebral gentleman who had written a few books. Before his death last year, he was working on the book ‘Heroes and Heroines,’ People’s Voice Nigeria News gathered.
The book chronicled 61 notable Nigerians’ contributions to national development. Mrs. Ibereayo Adeyemi, his wife, saw the book through to completion and launch yesterday at the special One-Year memorial and book launch.
God of Glory Church, which the late Adeyemi attended before his death, organised the memorial service. It was attended by the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN; former Ogun State Commissioner of Health, Hon. Dotun Babatunde Ipaye; Special Adviser (Education) to Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Hon. Tokunbo Wahab, ably represented by SSA on Education to Gov. Sanwo-Olu, Other dignitaries in attendance include Prince Adeyinka Oyediran, Adekunle Osinubi, Ehijie Madojemu, Dr. Samuel Adeyemi, Ola Omosanye, Otunba Labi Ogunsanya, Arogundade Adewale, Dayo Odukoya, and Mr. Seyi Idowu, his secondary school mate. Members of the Royal Galaxy Club, as well as their wives and the club’s leadership, were also present.
The Chairman of the day, Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Hakeem Bello, stated that we are in a constant state of transition as humans. He thanked Mrs. Adeyemi, a devoted wife, for seeing the publication through.
In his foreword to the book, ‘Heroes and Heroines’, Babatunde Fashola stated, ‘I feel a sense of responsibility to write this foreword to honour the memory of Mr. Adeyemi who served Lagos state in various capacities, including significantly contributing to the establishment of the now internationally recognised Lagos Bus Rapid Transit launched in 2008.’
‘Although Mr. Korede Adeyemi is not with us to witness the launch of this important scholarly contribution to our national life, he has left behind a legacy that will speak eloquently about him for generations to come and preserve the memories of those whose earthly sojourn has left us with positive impact,’ the Minister wrote.
Mrs. Ibereayo Adeyemi expressed gratitude to everyone who attended the memorial service, saying, ‘Now I know that eniyan laso mi, you are all wonderful.’ I couldn’t have done the journey alone, and I didn’t do it alone because of the person Korede is. He is a true gentleman. He only gave me total peace. I’m going to try not to cry, and I’m not going to cry any more.
Korede has fallen asleep, but he is still very much alive in my eyes. His legacy endures.’
She revealed that the book was inspired when one of their children inquired about our past heroes and heroines to late Adeyemi. ‘That’s when he decided to write the book in their honour.’ They should not be forgotten in this manner. Korede is a generous person. He is a wonderful man,’ she said.
Dr. Surajudeen Owosho, the book reviewer from University of Lagos described the book ‘Heroes and Heroines’ by Olukorede Oluwole Adeyemi as a “giant stride by one man arranged in no particular order to chronicle the contribution of 61 notable Nigerians to the freedom, growth, and development of Nigeria as a nation.”
It publishes brief biographies of nationalist heroes and heroines such as Chief Herbert Macaulay, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Anthony Enahoro, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and others. The book is a finished product of expert illustration and artistic production.’
