I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chief Bode
Akindele on 29 June 2020. His loss is, indeed, a great and
irredeemable loss for our people. Chief Akindele lived a long
and fulfilled life marked by a multitude of impressive
achievements. He was a self-made man who single-handedly
built a large and successful business empire with interests
spanning from maritime to properties, manufacturing, real
estate, finance and flour milling.
Chief Akindele was an astute and driven businessman and
the breadth and variety of his interests stand as a monument
to his uncanny ability to achieve success no matter the
nature of the endeavour upon which he decided to embark.
Chief Akindele’s success was not limited to Nigeria or,
indeed, Africa.
Through his perseverance, determination and consistency of
effort and character, Chief Akindele was able to achieve
greatness on a global scale. His accomplishments in life stand
testament to all that can be achieved by tenacious and astute
African businessmen such as himself and his reputation as a
leading industrialist and business tycoon will doubtless live
on in the memory of his followers and fellow Nigerians.
What separates Chief Akindele from other men of means is
his large-heartedness, the extraordinary enthusiasm with
which he gave of his time and of himself. Chief Akindele was
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a renowned philanthropist whose foundation employed and
empowered many people. His passing will be keenly felt by
the multitude of young Nigerians touched by his generosity.
Throughout the span of his life, Chief Akindele lived
charitably. He was regarded by everybody that knew him as a
cheerful giver. His beneficence towards his fellow man,
particularly the people of Ibadan, was legendary. He shall be
sorely missed by the needy and oppressed Nigerians whom
he so loved and cared for.
While his passing is a great loss to the Nigerian people, we
thank God that he was able to live a long and fulfilled life to
the age of 87. We are grateful to Almighty God for the time
that we spent with Chief Akindele here on earth and for the
way he was able to touch the lives of so many with his
philanthropy. He left his footprint in the sands of time and his
memory will live long in the hearts and minds of all of us who
were blessed to have known him personally and a multitude
of those who did not.
I pray solace to Bolaji, his son, and all other members of his
family. My condolences also to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba
Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1. May Almighty God grant
them all the resolve to bear this loss and the fortitude to
carry on in honour of his legacy.
