Olanrewaju Adepoju Foundation mourns BoT chairman

The Olanrewaju Adepoju Foundation has condoled with the family of its Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Lekan Alabi, the Abese Olubadan, following his passing.

The Foundation, in a condolence letter on Monday, described Alabi as an elder, mentor and custodian of the ideals upon which the organisation was established.

The letter, signed by the Foundation’s Vice Chairman, Lanre Banjo, extended condolences to Alabi’s immediate family, relatives, friends and associates, as well as the people of Ibadan and Oyo State.

It read: “The Board of Trustees, Management and entire family of the Olanrewaju Adepoju Foundation received with profound sorrow the news of the passing of our esteemed Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Lekan Alabi, the Abese Olubadan.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, relatives, friends, associates, the people of Ibadan and Oyo State, and all those who mourn this great loss.”

The Foundation described Alabi as a man whose contributions cut across journalism, public affairs, history and culture, particularly the preservation of Yoruba heritage.

It added: “Chief Lekan Alabi was a remarkable man of letters, journalism, public affairs, history and culture.

“He was one of those rare custodians of Nigeria’s intellectual and Yoruba cultural memory whose presence seemed to connect the past with the present.

“In his writings, conversations, public engagements and personal relationships, he demonstrated an abiding commitment to the preservation of history, the dignity of Yoruba culture and the proper remembrance of those who had contributed to the development of our society.”

The Foundation said Alabi’s death was particularly painful because his relationship with the organisation went beyond his position as Chairman of its Board of Trustees.

“His passing is particularly painful to the Olanrewaju Adepoju Foundation because Chief Lekan Alabi was not only our Chairman of the Board of Trustees but also an elder, mentor and valued custodian of the ideals upon which the Foundation was established,” it said.

The organisation, established to preserve and promote the legacy of the late Chief Olanrewaju Adepoju, said Alabi shared its commitment to ensuring the works and wisdom of distinguished elders were preserved for future generations.

It noted that Alabi and Adepoju shared a commitment to culture, history and the power of words, although they expressed that commitment through different platforms.

The Foundation stated: “While Chief Olanrewaju Adepoju used poetry, music and cultural expression to educate and preserve our heritage, Chief Lekan Alabi did so through journalism, historical reflection, public commentary and cultural advocacy.

“Their shared commitment to preserving memory and transmitting knowledge made his leadership of our Foundation especially meaningful.”

It said Alabi would be remembered for his wisdom, dignity, intellectual generosity and appreciation of Ibadan and Yoruba heritage.

“We shall remember Chief Lekan Alabi for his wisdom, dignity, intellectual generosity and deep appreciation of Ibadan and Yoruba heritage.

“His passing leaves a significant void, but his contributions will continue to live through the people, institutions and cultural causes he supported,” the Foundation said.

It added that Alabi’s death had placed a greater responsibility on the organisation to continue preserving the legacy entrusted to it.

“As we mourn, we are grateful for the life he lived, the knowledge he shared and the service he rendered to our society.

“His example places upon us an even greater responsibility to continue preserving the legacy entrusted to the Foundation.”

The Foundation prayed for Alabi’s eternal rest and strength for his family and the people of Ibadanland to bear the loss.

It concluded: “May his memory remain a blessing, and may his enduring contributions to journalism, history, culture and public life continue to inspire generations to come.

“The elder has departed. But his words remain.

“His history remains.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖