A TRIBUTE BY FELLOW OF LIKEMINDS – OGUN STATE UNIVERSITY MBA (OSUMBA) 96/98 CLASS
MUTAJERO EMMANUEL VICTOR ADEBAYO (EVA) – A FRIEND WITH A BIG HEART.
We gather here today united by the painful loss of an individual who meant a different person to everyone, yet bound by the warm and joyous memories of a friend who left this world too soon. It is a sombre task, yet an honour, to try and encapsulate the essence of a life well-lived, of a friend deeply cherished, and of a club member immensely respected. It is in moments like these that we find words are a meagre asset to express our feelings; they pale in comparison to what our hearts wish to convey
Our dear friend, Emmanuel Victor Adebayo (EVA), walked into our lives in 1996 as a member of the same MBA Class in Ogun State University, (Now Olabisi Onabanjo University) Ago-Iwoye, and from that time onward, everything changed. It was not just his gentle mien that made his membership great to us, but the extraordinary human qualities that made Mutajero Emmanuel Victor Adebayo an indispensable part of our club family.
We knew Emmanuel as much more than a Club member – he was the morning’s bright smile, the patient mentor, the constant source of lively jokes and lovely pieces of advice, and the compassionate ear whenever anyone needed support. Mutajero was a beacon of positivity, a person who could see the silver lining on the cloudiest of days – and help us all to see it too.
Emmanuel was not only esteemed for his membership but for the remarkable way he would impact on you whenever you met him. He integrated a sense of community and collaboration so effortlessly that it almost seemed magical. Perhaps what we cherished most was EVA's extraordinary kindness. He had a unique talent for noticing the small things – might it be a change in your physical appearance, a change in your approach, or, more importantly, the slightest change in your demeanour. His attentiveness spoke volumes of the deep respect and care for those around him. It was these seemingly small but highly meaningful acts that, in aggregate, formed the tapestry of a character so revered and so missed in his passing.
In private, social, and business life, Emmanuel was an achiever, but his ambition was always tethered by humility. He set milestones not only for himself but lifted others in pursuit of shared goals. Fellows of Likeminds remains a testament to Emma’s brilliance, leadership, and accommodating virtues. His immense contributions remain indelible while considering the life of OSUMBA and Fellows of Likeminds. Our current success bears his indelible mark, and we will remain guardians of his legacy.
We are all familiar with the sense of injustice that comes with losing someone – the thought that it was too soon, that there was so much more to experience and share. Yet, Mutajero was a pragmatist who often said, “Make your mark on the world, and when it's time to leave, leave it a bit better than you found it.” By this measure, his life was a resounding success. In his too-short time with us, Emmanuel Victor Adebayo enriched every life he touched and imparted enduring lessons that continue to live with us.
During times such as this, it's customary to speak of legacy – what is left behind and what continues in the wake of a departure. True to form, Emma’s legacy is not housed within the precint of any association or individual but carried in the hearts of each one of us. It's in the way we face challenges with tenacity, how we embrace our colleagues with warmth, and how we apply our skills with both ambition and compassion.
As we say our final goodbye, let us not be overcome by our grief but propelled by the blueprint for life that Emmanuel outlined by example. May we continue to walk in his footsteps and echo his laughter among ourselves. May we support one another as he always supported us, and in doing so, keep his memory vibrant and alive.
In closing, we are reminded that an important part of us has departed us in a gallant life that was full of spectacular achievements. This thought brings both comfort and a challenge: comfort in knowing Emmanuel achieved this and more, and a challenge for us all to strive to do the same in honour of his memory.
To Mutajero Emmanuel Victor Adebayo, our cherished friend, respected colleague, and part of our social family – you may have departed from our daily lives, but you will forever occupy an esteemed place in our memories and our hearts. Your light may have dimmed in this world, but its glow will forever illuminate our memories. We pray to find solace in the laughter, the love, and the precious moments we shared. Your presence was a gift to us all, and your absence will definitely be deeply felt.
For his mourning family, we seek protection and benevolence of the Almighty God who knowest all things and seest all things. For his friends and relatives, we ask for condolences from the source of all things and all beings.
May the soul of our beloved EVA rest in perfect peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire us all.
Thank you, and God bless
ENGR. ADEBAYO OLADIPUPO
General Secretary
On behalf of Fellow of Likeminds
(MBA Class 96/98, Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye)
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