Memories of Dr Abiola Segun Ajayi

In memory of

Dr Abiola Segun Ajayi

Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria

July 4, 1938 - July 28, 2020

Jul 4, 1938 - Jul 28, 2020

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onah mark

God brings and takes

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IkeOluwapo Ajayi

I pray Papa's soul continues to rest in Peace, Amen

"Didun ni iranti olododo"

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Olachi Anya

Shared a heart

Abiodun Ajayi

Olachi Anya

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$102.00

Raised by 2 people

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Femi Omololu

TRIBUTE TO DR ABIOLA SEGUN AJAYI

He was one of my three dads growing up. He, Dr Sojinrin and and my dad were the three musketeers. They were the first three Nigerian doctors conscripted into the Nigerian Navy. They were tall, brilliant handsome men with swag and all with a touch of foreign education. Watching them gist and laugh while growing up was inspiration to become a doctor. I also prayed fervently to grow tall so I could be more like them but God doesn’t answer all prayers with. a “yes.” All three families lived in Apapa and we, the children went to same schools; a mix between Corona and Army Childrens Primary schools, and FGCL and Navy Secondary Schools, except for the Folarin Sojinrin who hopped on a train to FGC Sokoto. To confirm the shared parenthood, each parent was assigned as godfather or godmother to one of the children from the other families. Mrs Ajayi was my godmother, Dr Ajayi was my brother Bayo’s godfather and Olumide Ajayi was my fellow nineteen sixty-niner in among the thirteen god-brothers and god-sisters. Every one thought we were blood brothers. God-brothers in the true sense is just as close.

Dr Ajayi was the most senior in rank of the three, and he was the liveliest. Probably the most restless too as he left the Navy early and opted for private practice. He went on to build a successful career with his Lafia Clinics groups. Thankfully he and his family still lived in Apapa so the fellowship continued. The Ajayi’s house was my second home. He led all of us to be members of the Apapa Club which was a key part of my childhood; squash, cinema, comics, library and hanging out. He had like two tenures as President there. He introduced me to lovely cars I hadn’t heard of before when he bought his Ford Mustang and Mercury Monarch. His family travels opened my eyes to the world as Olumide and co had gist and gifts for me when they returned.

His man caves were legendary. He enjoyed those spaces but he was always ready to pop out to say hello, gist with us and give us some pocket money when we visited. An avid lover of jazz music, Dr Ajayi introduced me to Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and the likes. His music collection was untouchable though, so Seyi (Segun) and I would stare at the Teddy Pendagrass and George Benson albums amongst others in awe. We found ways to rock them. The stereos systems were always upgraded to the latest. He had a great library too, with all the Harold Robbins, Jeffrey Archers, Sidney Sheldons and the like, which we would sneak out to read. The walls had framed posters of his favourites jazz artists. His VCR collection was another collectors item. The cave felt like a shrine or a museum sometimes. It’s no amazement he loved to build and published two books of his own.

He was always ready to support us in all we did. He was thus (with the other two dads) a sponsor of the defunct Apapa Mountain Lions Football Club which we the children formed, and a silent “patron” of the FGCL Old Students Association. We held so many meetings in his house and he got us the exclusive Metropolitan Club which he also presided at some point, as a venue for our End of Year Dinners on two occasions.

Dr Ajayi was warm. He had a smile and personality that lit up the room. His laugh was rich with emotion. He loved to gist about your progress. As I laboured through residency and battled with whether to stay in Government or private practice, or take up management, he keenly listened to and helped analyse my circumstances and advised me, telling stories of his own experiences. It was always a delight to have those discussions with him and I always left with some direction. As a past President of the National Postgraduate Medical College, he always sent me a copy of their calendars and told stories of his involvement there.

He was a great man and father. Coupled with my sweet godmother and their lovely children, the Ajayi’s home was always a warm place to be. If you’ve been, you will know what I’m talking about. He passed on three weeks ago and I’m glad I got to talk with him in the latter days. That unique voice will echo in my head forever. Thankfully Olumide sounds a lot like him so the “cloning” will linger longer. Indeed naturally, he can also be seen in Seyi, Folake, Titi and Yemisi with the added spice of my dear godmother.

Our mother, Mrs Sojinrin’s passing two years ago was hard to take. It was a warning of the inevitabilities we had been scared of. Admirals Olumide and Adewunmi, two other Rtd Navy officers from that band of Officers and Gentlemen we grew up admiring also passed on last week. The pleasant Mrs Adewunmi went last year. They are gradually moving their parapo to heaven. However people who have left footprints in our lives and led us down paths in this earth journey never die. They live in us forever. We will continue to celebrate them and those who are still with us.

They say none of us is getting out here alive, so the bells will ring for us all someday. My third dad, Dr Ajayi’s bells have rung, and he has answered.
Thank you sir, Rest in Peace.

Dr Femi Omololu

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Titilola Anya

Dr John Adesioye

Chinazo Anya

Tribute to Grandpa VI
In the early 1990s, I vividly remember taking a walk with my elder brother Chidi, in the highbrow neighborhood of Victoria Island extension, where my brother was then living with an Uncle. At a corner plot, I saw a lovely modern home with a twist of classical architecture. I have always been intrigued by classical architecture and recall telling my brother that the home was lovely and my brother retorting that the home also had very lovely daughters.

Fast forward ten years or thereabout later, I was sitting in the upstairs living room of that home with my parents and brothers Chidi, Ike, and Ikechi, we were there at the behest of my brother Chidi, to seek the hand of one of the very lovely daughters, Titi in marriage. I remember the tall distinguished gentleman, the father of the house, walking in to welcome us with a very warm infectious smile.

Over the years, I had the privilege of building a relationship with this father of the household, Dr. Chief Ajayi, whom I later came to call Grandpa VI. An urbane archiver, who was comfortable in his skin and did not need to wear his achievements on his sleeves. We talked music, history, current affairs and architecture (yes, though a medical doctor, he loved to build), he would listen intently, beaming with his warm trademark smile and then dispense a few nuggets of wisdom.

I was devastated to wake up to a text message from my brother Chidi on July 28, informing me that Grandpa VI had gone to be the Lord, but I was quickly consoled by the words of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.”

We would miss the twinkle that used to light up in your eyes, we will miss the sound of your voice, we would miss your radiant smile, your laughter and wise counsel, however we are consoled that you lived life to the fullest, you were an active participant, not a spectator and that your life touched so many people positively. Rest in Perfect Peace Sir!

Chinazo Anya and family
8/11/2020

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Femi Omololu

Titilola Anya

Dr John Adesioye

Shared a heart

Dr John Adesioye

May you Rest In Peace Sir!

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Femi Omololu

Olachi Anya

Dr Abiola Olusegun Ajayi

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Ndidiamaka Anyaehie

Titilola Anya

Femi Omololu

Abiodun Ajayi

LILIAN HUMPHREY-AJAYI

I never met you physically sir, but I met you through your daughter Mrs Demehin as she spoke a lot about you. It is my prayer that the Lord comfort all those you left behind and grant your gentle soul eternal rest.

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Christopher Kale Ajayi

Brother Segun,your departure was a tremendous loss,you are irreplaceable but who are we to question God. We shall miss your free spirit, devotion to family and always lending a hand. The greatness of a man is the legacy he leaves behind.We thank you for impacting us in special ways.
To Auntie Funke,stay strong for the children and family.
To the Children,take care of mum and keep the legacy of your Dad alive.
Brother Segun would not want us to be overwhelmed by his passing but to look for the best in any situation as he would have and make his memory live in our hearts.
Rest in peace big brother in the bosom of our maker till we meet again.
Sun re o !
Kale Ajayi (Cousin)

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Olachi Anya

Comments:

Olachi Anya

We’ll miss you We’ll miss you We’ll miss you

Frank Nwafor

To live in the hearts of those we love is never to die. Safe journey till we all meet again.

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Mosunmola Salu

Shared a heart

Ike Anya

The first time I met him, or perhaps the first time I remember meeting him, it was a saturday afternoon. We were in his living room, my parents, my brothers Nazo, Ikechi and Chidi. We were led by Uncle Theo Ogunbiyi. It was Chidi who had brought us there, an introduction of our families, that would culminate in our gaining our first sister, Titilola, his daughter.

I remember his tall, dignified figure making an entrance, and his broad smile, the warmth and jollity that he exuded.

Over the next two decades I got to know him better, but the dignity, the elegance, the warmth and that smile never wavered.

Over time, we swapped stories as professional colleagues, as he shared stories of his time training in Bristol in the sixties where I'd spent time training in the early 2000s, and the warmth of his welcome remained the same.

I saw him welcome my brother & extend the same affection he showered on his children to him, and watched his evident pride as he doted on my nieces and nephew and his other grandchildren...

It was a shock to hear of his sudden departure, but I join my sister and all her family in gratitude for his life of service and achievement, praying for his peaceful rest and for grace for his beloved wife, family and friends to get through this difficult time

Good night sir, till we meet again

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Dr John Adesioye

Femi Omololu

Abidemi Ajayi

Dr. Olusegun Ajayi - There is time for everything..... My dear Uncle ‘there is time for everything, so we learnt from the holy book. Your transition into eternity teaches that we should be the best we can, in all we do. You were such a good role model to me, and will be missed very much. Your constant smile and focus when you ponder on things are few of your greatest attributes. I bet this is a moment in time when being sad is a common place, when we realize a loved one is never to be seen physically again, we become unhappy and sad but I choose to be neutral and just learn the greatest lessons from your journey, to be the best we can, and leave the rest to the creator. I remember on one of my visits to your practice in Surulere, how you saw me and fondly called me little ‘Femi, as you always do, then you asked about my plan for my career, I didn’t quite know what to tell you at the time, simply told you, I wanted to become a doctor (laughs).... I will miss you a great deal, Adieu my great Uncle, till we meet again - Abidemi Oluwadamilare Ajayi & Adebukola Ajayi.

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Kayode Ajayi

Kemi Ajayi Adentan

Olachi Anya

Dr. Ajayi and his sons

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Kayode Ajayi

Kemi Ajayi Adentan

Femi Omololu

Jumoke Adeyemi-Taiwo

Shared a heart

Comments:

Jumoke Adeyemi-Taiwo

My sincere condolences to the Ajayi family. He was such a lovely man. Praying that the Lord will strengthen... Read more My sincere condolences to the Ajayi family. He was such a lovely man. Praying that the Lord will strengthen the entire family ... Read more My sincere condolences to the Ajayi family. He was ... Read more

Ajayi Olalekan

Tribute to Late Dr. Segun Ajayi.
Dear Uncle,it is difficult to believe that you are no longer with us. We spoke on your birthday and you were happy. We were with you recently in your house, where we took several pictures together. I will miss your company, especially your laughter and probing questions on my welfare , family and siblings. I will miss the good times we had whenever I was with you. My condolence to Aunty Funke and the rest of the family. We love you but God loves you more, rest in peace.
Your Nephew,Lekan Ajayi.

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Kayode Ajayi

Olachi Anya

Grandpa & Grandma with Risachi and Kesachi

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Kayode Ajayi

Femi Omololu

Olachi Anya

2019

V.I 2019

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Olachi Anya

Oluseyi AkinBoboye

Victor Oyinbo

Kayode Ajayi

Dr John Adesioye

Femi Omololu

Abiodun Ajayi

Comments:

Ndidiamaka Anyaehie

May your dad’s soul rest in perfect peace and may the good Lord grant you all the fortitude to bear this ... Read more May your dad’s soul rest in perfect peace and may the good Lord grant you all the fortitude to bear this huge loss🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 May your dad’s soul rest in perfect peace and may the... Read more