TRIBUTE TO A GREAT IN-LAW DR BARROW. 

By Vincent Idemudia Ogbefun & family.

 It is indeed difficult to accept the reality of your departure. However, glory be to God Almighty for everything. We are consoled that you lived a fulfilled Life. You touched the lives of virtually every one who came your way positively. Your wise counsel, generosity, love and forgiving spirit knew no bounds. Your unflinching support and cooperation with our sister Monica, your wife, in building a good home was outstanding. Though your physical presence may on longer be obtainable but the memory of your good life will always remain in our hearts. May God Almighty grant you eternal rest.

TRIBUTE TO DR ROBERT BOB BARROW A GREAT GUY.

By Andrew Ovie Oddiri.

I knew Dr Robert Bob Barrow for over sixty years, from our days in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.

We were neighbours at Skinn Road , Alders Town, Daudu Warri during the mid 1950s.

Bros Robert was my elder brother, Dixy Oddiri's close friend.

Almost all my senior siblings knew Robert very well.

At that time ,when we were not even teenagers, Robert was a role model to us, the younger children in our neighbourhood.

For while we were still in Primary School, in the mid fifties, Robert was already in Secondary School, at St Peter Clavers College Aghalokpe near Sapele, Delta State ,Nigeria.

Robert was in boarding school and would be away , really disappear for months to be at boarding school.

This really fascinated us kids and we all wanted to grow up and attend not only secondary school but to be boarders, so we could also travel out of Warri to be in school.

Warri then and now, was known for sports, particularly football, athletics, fencing and boxing.

As children, primary school children, we participated in these sports, using neighbourhood streets as our field for street football, athletic races and field events like high jump and long jump.

Robert would return on holidays and introduce us children to more events in athletics.

In these sports, other senior secondary boys and Robert acted as umpires , referees and coaches.

We did grow up and went to Secondary schools too.

Robert went on to University, at Ibadan , Nigeria's foremost and Premier University and progressed to get a PhD degree in Science, from Duke University, a well known private university in Durham, North Carolina ,United States.

On his return to Nigeria, he was a lecturer for a while at Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria Northern Nigeria.

Dr Barrow eventually joined the Nigerian Federal Civil Service and rose to the position of Director in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

In the late 1970s, we met again in Lagos, Robert, my brother Dixy another sibling, Ochuko and I.

Our respective families had Government subsidised official quarters in Festac Town, a wholly Federal Government built up mini City,in a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria on the Lagos Badagry Expressway

We had started to raise our respective families and made mutual invitations for family events like christenings and children's birthdays.

Robert and I belonged to the BAFT CLUB, a mainly tennis club in Festac Town.

We met there almost daily after work ,to play tennis with other members in the evenings.

As a more senior member of the membership of Baft Club, Dr. Robert Barrow was always called upon to adjudicate not only on Tennis controversies, but on political and interpersonal issues affecting members.

Robert was fair to all and his decisions were always accepted by all parties.

Dr Robert Barrow relocated to Abuja in the 1990s when the Federal Capital took firm roots there and most civil servants had to work in Abuja.

I remained in Lagos with Nigeria Airways, but did share drinks and other social activities with Bros Robert during some of the official trips I made to Abuja.

Upon retirement and following physical infirmities suffered by his beloved wife Monica, in an accident, Robert went with his wife to the US , to give care and comfort to Monica.

I was really excited when I met Omatsola, Robert's first child and son, after a couple of decades , when I was a Director in Nigeria Airways Ikeja, Lagos, where his wife a medical doctor , came to serve as a Youth Corp in the early 2000.

Almost 20 years later, in greater excitement, I met Omatsola again in Ikoyi Club Golf Section, Ikoyi Lagos, where we are both members and play golf.

Omatsola did speak with me about his parents, how they both got on with their lives and their stay in the United States.

Omatsola was the one who broke to me, the sad news of the passing of Dr Robert Barrow, his father, a sorrowful event, which occurred on the 6th of February 2023 in Illinois United States. Dr Robert Barrow was 81 years.

Dr Robert Barrow was a gentleman par excellence. A great family man who cared, showed and showered unwavering love upon his wife and children.

Dr Robert Barrow was loyal to friends too and was unstinting in his candidate advice to those who asked for them.

Dr Robert Bob Barrow- sportsman, academic, civil servant, gentleman, family man.

Robert Barrow will be sorely missed.

May God continue to comfort his wife, children ,grandchildren, members of his extended family and friends.

May Dr Robert Barrow 's soul Rest In Peace, amen.

Andrew Ovie Oddiri

Retired Director , Nigeria Airways and Federal Public Service of Nigeria and friend of Dr Robert Bob Barrow ,from 1955 (and his nuclear family from 1978) to February 2023.

Uncle, I have happy memories of whenever you and my late dad would meet.

You were always so happy to see each other.

I imagine you both in heaven greeting each other, and laughing over the jokes you shared.

Rest in peace uncle.

Roli Adebanjo (nee Amoye)

Dr. B was always a father figure to me and my siblings.  He will truly be missed! 

I remember when he “hung out” with my brother, also Robert, and I in Maryland during his visit to see President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington DC. 

He was really excited about the opportunity and I believe had gotten tickets from the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein. He spoke about the significance of having a “Black President” in America’s history and an appreciation for seeing that happen in his lifetime. 

It was eye opening to get his perspective on that and many other topics, especially coming from a more relaxed, retired statesman who had seen a lot in life and done his part to raise and maintain the bar of what a public servant in Nigeria should be.

Rest Peacefully Sir!

It's with a very heavy heart I received the news of your passing. 

In my early days you were like a silent influencer who pushed me towards science. Infact you were the first doctor I ever met ( not a medic but a doctor nevertheless) and you talked non stop about science which I found fascinating and mesmerizing . When I look back in hindsight  you pushed me towards the sciences and I am forever grateful to this influence. In my professional life I have reached many great heights and this was made possible by the impact you had on me during my early years as a child. My late parents often told us stories of about you, UI days,civil service etc. which we found interesting. We had often planned to travel to visit but unfortunately it never really took off. 

I never really got to thank you for all you did for me in my formative years but you will surely be missed for your kindness and tenacity. We will love you and remember you always as our very own Dr. B. Rest in peace.