TRIBUTE TO CHIEF ISAAC A. OGUNNUBI

A decade of fatherly presence, a decade of fatherly guidance, a decade of fatherly care, a decade of fatherly love, a decade of fatherly relationship is all I miss in this great man who impacted my life in no small way. As the first child from the rear of High Chief Isaac Ayorinde Ogunnubi, The Olisa of Ijebu-Isiwo, a renowned community leader and a respected family man I write to honour his legacies.

High Chief Ogunnubi was born on the 15th of January, 1933 by Pa Emmanuel Ogunmosun Ogunnubi of Yenuwa Imowe quarters of Ijebu-Isiwo. The father was the first certified and licensed lay reader under the Anglican Communion when Christianity reached Ijebu land in the year 1896. His elementary education was at Christ Church School, Ijebu-Isiwo where he obtained the first leaving certificate in December 1950. He was retained to teach in his alma mater, (a rare occurrence in those days), but as a result of his exemplary moral character and a sound academic capability.

I knew that someday in a far away and distant future, the cycle of life would come to a gentle close for my father. I knew that. I knew that when the time came, we would have to face it with acceptance. I didn’t doubt that for one instant. But what I could never have imagined was that we would face the tragic, sudden and devastating death of my beloved father exactly a decade today.
My heart aches for the loss of my father but I stand in acceptance. For this is the nature of life. There is time for everything. And a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ten years on, I am honored to celebrate the life of a very special man in my life. A man I am proud to call a father. A man who is not only my daddy but also a father. A man who I knew so well in life but of whom I am surprisingly learning more about in death. This, through heart-warming anecdotes from people across the country and beyond. People whose lives he touched through discreet acts of kindness. A selfless and sacrificial life. Stories of empathy. Of honour. Of humility. Of support. Stories that comfort us and bring us joy.

My Daddy was an international figure, but it was in his role as a family man that he truly shone. My Daddy was a straight shooter, whose word was his bond. My Daddy was just an ordinary man who lived a truly extra-ordinary life.

My father participated in the 3rd International Bible Contest and Conference in Jerusalem as Nigeria’s only representative, this also gave him the opportunity of visiting some of the Biblical & Historical places in Spain, Paris in France, Italy (Vatican City) in Rome, Israel, part of Lebanon and Egypt. He did Nigeria proud during that time as he was the only black man among the 20 countries that participated.

The toga of responsibility of running the town fell on him when he was installed as the Olisa of Isiwo in 1983 and this he did pretty well to the admiration of all.

He lived a full and active life as a bold man of artless candor. Ten years after his demise, Olisa Ayo Ogunnubi, one of the most colorful and enlightened men of his generation was a convenient peg on which to hang some reflections. He staked his life, reputation and personal comfort for his people. He was a selfless human being, a kind man, a dependable man. My father was a confidant to all those that came his way and equally to everybody he came across.
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Olisa Ayo was a gentle man, very patient and an understanding leader. The fact that he often held his views amid popular oppositions, dissents and even derisions shows him to be a man of unflinching courage that sometimes verges on dare devilry. It is precisely these qualities which endeared him to many that also alienated him from others.

Tola Ogunnubi (ANIPR, FILRMN)Deputy Head, Corporate AffairsNigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Abuja