There were no long faces. Rather, the entire Idewon quarters of the ancient city of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State was electrifying as the Fidipote descendants, stretching as far and wide as to Odo Nla in Ikorodu, Lagos State, celebrated the life and times of Otunba Wahab Osinusi, Chairman Fidipote Royal Descendants and member Egbe Mafowoku Okunrin of Ijebuland last Sunday.
The owner of the prestigious Waccus Hotel, Ijebu Ode passed away last 30th September and the event was the eighth day Fidau prayers for the departed Otunba.
He was aged 91.
The large entourage of the Oba-elect of Odo Nla, Prince Olusoga Elias Adeyemi Olowolekomoh, led by Prince Sijuade Hammed Oyebo, was on ground also. Amid the merrymaking, Jolu Olootu Adeyemi Abiodun Odubena, Akowe Egbe of the Bobajolu Okunrin Akile Ijebuland, described the late Otunba as a “legal luminary and entrepreneur whose wisdom and wise counsel would be missed by both the young and old in the family”.
According to Odubena, Osinusi was “an articulate, soft spoken, easy going enigma with charismatic steps, admired in any attire he wore with catching smiles. He was always extending pleasantries to people as equals even as a well respected practising lawyer of more than six decades”.
The Awujale of Ijebuland, His Imperial Majesty (Oba) Sikiru Adetona obeyed the law of nature that man is born to die as his period on earth, and he will pass through this way but once.
Odubena, who also described Osinusi’s death as a great loss to the Fidipote Dynasty, however said the family was “left with no other option than to accept the good works of the Almighty Allah for the day had been written and cannot be questioned. The legal sector, Muslim community, hotel industry as well as the royal family of Ijebu and especially the Fidipote Royal Descendants and indeed Ijebuland in particular and Nigeria at large have lost an icon whose wealth of knowledge and experience in human and resource management with the hands of a midas touch, would be greatly missed in many years to come”.
Prince Adesina Buraimoh Ademuyewo of the Ali Ogunaike lineage, which is the same house of Fibiwoga, was also full of praises for the late Osinusi. even as he called for renewed family bonding.
He said: “On behalf of all, I thank all for all the efforts and initiatives of those involved with all the arrangements for our beloved father and respected leader and family group Chairman, Otunba Barr. Wahab .O. Oshinusi. May Allah grant him eternal rest. Let us all remember that we need to make the Fidipote family very worthy of the legacy and heritage left for us by our founder Baba Ademuyewo Fidipote I.
“May his spirit continue to sustain all his descendants wherever we are in this world. May we all be blessed today and always”.
The Secretary of Fidipote Royal Family, Prince Aderibigbe described the late Osinusi as a “unifier” and “father figure” of the Fidipote lineage. “Baba was a unifier and a father figure. He stood firm for everybody irrespective of age and status in the family and that is we will all miss him forever”, he said.
Olori Ebi Fusigboye and Debojo Chiefs also celebrated and paid their own tributes with fascinating dance steps and gyrations to the delights of all and sundry.
In his tribute, Oba-Elect Olowolekomoh, who spoke on behalf of the Fidipote Royal Family Descendants, alongside Prince Olugbenga Olugbile, both from Olori Bamijaiye lineage, described the late Osinusi as a “pillar of unity” in the Fidipote dynasty.
“With a heart filled with gratitude for a life well spent, our entire Royal family Descendants of the Fidipote Ruling House of Idewon Quaters, Ijebu-Ode, with the guidance of Olori Ebi; Alhaji Tajudeen Omotayo, among other esteemed elders, celebrate the departure to glory of our late Patriarch and Chairman,
“He was no doubt a delightful, vibrant and enigmatic character that has throughout his tenure and lifetime contributed positively in no small measures to the unity and progressive growths and development of our noble family at large through his enviable strength of purposeful leadership and camaraderie. He was a pillar of unity across board. We will surely continue from where he stopped to further lift up the quality of standard aimed at making our descendants a reference point for outstanding community peaceful relations, harmony and infectious enthusiasm. This is the legacy that remains with us as we keep his warm memories in our hearts for generational inspirations to more lofty heights. Thank you all that have come from near and far to grace this occasion and celebration for our dear family at large”.
