Mariam Akinloye & Olaleye Taiwo (Trainee)
-How we have sustained his legacy – Son
It was nothing but a grand final party for the late incorruptible retired police officer, excellent sports administrator, philanthropist, human and community builder par excellence, Alhaji Kolawole Saheed Akinsanya (Baba Pepc), as wife and children threw a befitting and colourful social gathering in Ikorodu last Saturday.
At the ceremony, Barr. Luqman Akinsanya, founder of Pepc Foundation, who spoke on behalf of other children, said that the family has been preserving the legacies of late Alhaji Akinsanya through several interventions in his home town – Magbon Alade in Ibeju Lekki, Ikorodu towns and across the state.
The ceremony, which was held at the Musical Village, along Obafem iAwolowo road, Oke Ota – Ona, Ikorodu, was attended by notable traditional rulers, political office holders and other important personalities including His Royal Majesties, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Toheeb Yisa Oyedele, the Orimedu of Imedu, Lekki, Barr. Yinka Ajenifuja, Mr Tunde Oshinowo (Teddy Shine), Mayor Muhydeen Sanwoola, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Park Management represented by his wife, Prince Adedayo Ladega, Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government represented by Hon. Babawale Alogba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu LG, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo Alogba, Chairman, Ijede LCDA and Dr Abiodun Fatai, Dean, Students’ Affairs, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, among many others.
“Months after the demise of Alhaji Kola Akinsanya, today, we are having his burial grand finale. My dad was a role model, mentor, a good leader, and community builder. He was the Atunluse of Magbo Alade land, but since his demise, the responsibility has fallen on someone and it has fallen on his children, of which I’m one of them.
“We are very thankful today that we are celebrating him the way he deserved. If we can do better than this, I’m sure that we wouldn’t have hesitated. We really missed him, but Almighty Allah wants him more. He’s gone now but I’m sure he’s smiling in heaven right now”, he said with certainty.
He described the loss of his father as a great loss to him because of his support and advice .
“To be honest, I missed our chit-chat because we speak every week and every weekend. He always looked forward to my calls. So, that part is what I missed the most. He advised me on every step that I take in my life and not being able to have that anymore is a great loss for me. But you know, Almighty Allah is there and He’ll continue to guide me through my dad.
Speaking on how the family has been preserving the legacy of his late father, Pepc said:
“We missed him greatly and for his memory to continue living with us, we just launched a 33,000 solar powered borehole in Magbo Alade, where he was born and that will serve his name for a very long time. That is one of the ways his memory will never be gone. He left us a blueprint and we are trying as much as possible to follow it. We’ll continue to do more in his name.
“We were able to distribute over 5,000 palliatives in Ikorodu, Ijede, Epe and other places last December and every December, we will continue to do that in his name.
Barr. Akinsanya, who referred to himself as a living proof of his father’s good gesture, charged other members of the community, especially those that his late father impacted on in his lifetime and are now privileged and other members of the public who are in position to endeavor to support his legacies in sports, community development and humanitarian services, to make the world a better place for everyone.
Alhaja Sekinat Abiodun Akinsanya, widow of the late philanthropist, described his husband as a great man that she and her children will continue to speak about forever, because he can never be forgotten.
“You see, my husband was someone we will continue to talk about forever. He was a blessed father, wonderful father and the kind of husband anyone should pray for. He isn’t just my husband, he’s my brother and my lover whom I’ll continue to remember forever, because Alhaji Kolawole Akinsanya was not someone that can be forgotten.
“He was someone that if one wakes up and sees, such a person will be grateful to God for seeing him. If I come to this life again, it will still be Alhaji Kolawole and even if we meet again in heaven, I’ll still marry him”, she declared.
She revealed that her late husband always tells her that he would depart the world before her.
“He usually tells me that he would be the first person to pass away and that I won’t go before him. I am grateful to God, and I will continually be grateful because he was a good man. All my children, I am grateful to them. I thank them because they’ve done a lot. God will help me repay them, thank you sir”.
Alhaja Akinsanya was grateful and appreciative to Ibeju Lekki Local Government and its chairman, Hon. Sesan Olowa (Jaja), for their support since the death of her husband.
She described the council chairman as a “younger brother that is worth having and son that makes people happy”.
She also appreciated the royal fathers for the support and backing given to her and children since she lost her husband, while she equally thanked all individuals and groups that have been showing her family love and care.
Alhaja Akinsanya further acknowledged the support and roles of her children and expressed her profound proudness for them.
