For a few of us near Segun Obadare-Akpata, it’s tough to think about him previously tense, weeks after he passed away (he died on Thursday August 1, 2024 on the Lagos College Instructing Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba). That is partly due to his exceptional liveliness, and for being visibly conspicuous in any gathering that includes him.
Unfailingly, one would bear in mind Segun for being an lively participant in any group. Whereas his versatility and different experiences of life had quite a bit to do with this attribute, what drove him, greater than the rest, is his incurable ardour to offer to the society, and to impart a few of his God-given skills to his group in addition to to the youthful era to which he was an unsolicited mentor.
Segun had many issues at all times going for him, none the least of which was his means to work together freely with most individuals, regardless of their age distinction, ethnic or spiritual affiliation; he may at all times relate with them and infrequently, appreciated their tradition and custom much more than the homeowners.
He was a Christian until demise, however he was dwelling in a gathering of Muslims, and will recite the fathia and different fundamental suras, as fluently as any Muslim cleric. The truth that he may converse the three main Nigerian languages of Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa very fluently was at all times an asset to his fundamental undertakings. And his very broad expertise as a theatre artist, actor, script author, tv and movie producer and director amongst different occupations offered him extra leverage, making him an virtually full Nigerian.
Segun was a delight to have round in severe {and professional} engagements. However he was much more engaging as a social blender; at dwelling with the previous as with the younger, displaying an unusual understanding and camaraderie to simply provoke curiosity in a subject, in addition to calm frayed nerves when the stakes acquired excessive. Removed from being restricted to his skilled area which itself harboured numerous fields, Segun’s versatility went past, to areas akin to sports activities, particularly soccer, music, dancing, folklore, drama, poetry, custom and adage. I recollect that he corrected me in delivering acceptable Yoruba sensible sayings; but he wasn’t a Yoruba man, though he lived most of his years in Yorubaland. Clearly nonetheless, his aptitude was the proceed of a pure expertise reasonably than a mere environmental affiliation.
The story of Segun Obadare-Akpata introduced out vividly, the lesson of how we human beings hardly admire the worth or price of the treasure in our possession till we lose them. For me, Segun’s demise at 67 years was one too quickly. We had deliberate over time to undertake some tasks, professionally and socially, at a later date.
These plans are probably to enter oblivion, in the event that they hadn’t already, as a result of a lot of them needed to do with tapping the private and deep sources inherent in us collectively and severally. There may be hardly an opportunity that the plans could possibly be executed by substituting another person for Segun. Segun liked his freedom and, to maintain this, he stored out of drawback with legislation enforcement. Should you noticed him on the police station, he likely had come to mediate in a matter involving another person.
And he guarded his well being jealously. Within the 30 years or thereabout that we knew him, he by no means smoked; he drank very reasonably and responsibly. And he was a bodily well being fanatic. Months earlier than he took ailing and ultimately died, he performed soccer with the Ikorodu All Stars Soccer Membership of which he was a staunch member. He may run soccer commentary and analyse soccer matches as a lot as any good such commentator.
It was actually an irony of life that regardless of being meticulously cautious about his life, Segun succumbed to sickness that disadvantaged him of his freedom for greater than a yr. Nevertheless it was to his giant coronary heart, and understanding of life that, greater than two years earlier than his demise; and even earlier than he took ailing, Segun advised whoever cared to hear that he didn’t anticipate anyone to be unhappy if he died. Certainly, he advised pals and associates that had been with him on that mild event (they had been all stress-free after a session of footballing) that they need to be glad and drink beer anytime his obituary was introduced. His spouse, Funmi, was so as to add, after his demise, that her husband by no means feared demise all by way of his sickness.
He the truth is was the one giving succour and phrases of encouragement to members of his household or his shut pals who felt alarm that regardless of shut consideration and big monetary sources dedicated to revive his well being, he was not responding. That was in his remaining days, though none of us ever thought significantly that the sickness may result in demise.
Segun Obadare-Akpata, SO-A as he was fondly known as by his pals and associates, was born within the historic metropolis of Benin in Oredo Native Authorities Space of Edo State, into the household of Barrister Olayinka Obadare-Akpata and Mrs Adedunke Daniels, each of blessed reminiscence, on Could 12, 1957. From an early age, Segun realized to stay and love and perceive life which in time formed his life to the person he was till he handed on.
Oluwasegun had his elementary and a part of his secondary faculty training within the Northern a part of Nigeria however accomplished the latter at Zumratul Secondary College, Yaba, Lagos. A really inquisitive and good thoughts, he went additional in his pursuit of information at The Technical Faculty, Oyo, within the previous Oyo State, Nigeria.
Segun made peace together with his maker by making the Logic Church his dwelling. This was exemplified by his outlook in direction of completely different perception methods, whereby, he tolerated all spiritual opinions however labored on a really stunning relationship together with his Creator. A prayer warrior, he was at all times readily available to guide the Christian prayers in all features, specifically, these organised by All Stars Soccer Affiliation, Ikorodu
SO-A was a thoroughbred skilled within the Nigeria artistic house. He was the Managing Director at Village Spring Leisure, a Platform by way of which he produced genuine African tales for audiences specifically and around the globe. He was a exceptional and multi-talented skilled; a really artistic director and artwork director, a flexible actor and producer, an business activist who may be very obsessed with his arts. He really devoted his expertise and time to his craft, exhibiting unrivalled honesty and integrity in all his dealings with creativity, each on scene and behind the scenes.
At varied occasions, he labored with legendary practitioners, just like the late Ade Love, I sho Pepper, Jimoh Aliu and dwelling legends of the business: Adebayo Salami, Jimi Odumosu, Jide Kosoko, Femi Odugbemi, King Sunny Ade and all. He was very diligent and meticulous in his craft.
SO-A was mixer and socialite. Making pals comes very simple and pure to him and he made quantum of excellent and fantastic pals in his lifetime. An entire and detribalised Nigerian by all customary, Segun spoke the three main Nigerian languages of Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo flawlessly, to not discuss of his mom tongue, Benin. An excellent organiser and occasion planner, he was a member of Lions Membership Worldwide, an lively member of Zumratul Outdated Boys and a revered, dedicated and liked member of All Stars Soccer Affiliation, Ikorodu, a mix of soccer ex-international, soccer lovers, young and old.
SO-A was fortunately married to Funmilayo Ogudu-Obadare-Akpata, a tasty, delicate spoken and well-behaved younger woman, who was with him solidly as he was ravaged by ailing well being, and so they shared a really stunning union and companionship.
Segun is abandoning stunning, fantastic, and effectively introduced up kids, male, and feminine. SO-A shall be fondly remembered for his honesty, forthrightness, dedication to given assignments and undiluted love for his household.
We have fun the affect his life had on humanity; his kindness, energy, knowledge and the cherished reminiscences he’s abandoning. As his household, pals and colleagues miss him sorely, we replicate on his journey and discover consolation in realizing that he’ll ceaselessly be part of our lives; dwelling on, by way of the love we shared and the tales we maintain expensive.Ogundele and Sanyaolu, each pals of the late Segun Obadare-Akpata, wrote from Ikorodu, Lagos State. They are often reached at [email protected]
