*BY DR GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/EXECUTIVE EDITOR & GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR, Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA
HE battled death. He conquered death. Not once did he give up the fight. He had a strong will to live. He resisted pain, with no visible sign on his face while on medical treatment. He left a touch of him in the lives of everyone he met. My nephew, Iseunife Oselueseme Oyebanjo, was a polymath, a polyhistor or a “Renaissance person,” who excelled in or draws upon complex bodies of knowledge across different fields, such as science, art, mathematics, and philosophy.
Iseunife believed in the truism that living a good life at a young age means laying a foundation of wisdom, presence, and intentional choices while your energy is at its peak. Instead of viewing youth merely as a waiting room for adulthood, ancient and modern philosophers argue that the habits, mindset, and virtues you cultivate right now dictate the entire quality of your existence.
As a young man of 32 years, this graduate of Graphic Communications with a Bachelors Degree in Digital Arts at the prestigious Southern New Hampshire University, USA having earlier enrolled at the Minnesota State University, Moorhead, USA in 2011 was the second of twin boys born on May 20, 1994, to my elder blood sister, Hannah Oyebanjo (MCIM, FISMN), the CEO of Redwood Consulting, a marketing advisory outfit and MD Nigeria, Republicom International Group, an Independent Marketing Communications Group and Engineer Pastor Ayodele Oyebanjo.
Right from his childhood, his creative talent was noticeable as he recalled then that he loved to draw. Not surprising to many that he eventually found himself in the marketing communication industry like ‘Sister Hannah’ where he developed a career for himself and flourished.
There was hardly a major marketing communication project in Lagos State from Lekki to Victoria Island, Ikoyi to Lagos Mainland that you would not have found the imprints of Iseunife clearly written. As a matter of fact, his wealth of experience took him across Advertising as a Copy Writer, Creative/Graphic Designer, Media Buyer / Account Manager; Digital Marketing Specialist and Social Media Manager.
Iseunife enjoyed work such that he did so effortlessly, with a smile always on his face. He was such a bundle of joy that he skipped his meal most of the times to finish his projects
and brought satisfaction to the clients’ delight. He was the young man of the moment whenever he did presentation of projects to clients because at the end, he certainly would have received a standing ovation for his oratory, intellectualism, depth of knowledge in advertising and marketing communication.
Also, multiple companies in graphics, advertising and marketing communications did not hesitate for once to reach out for the professional expertise of Iseunife whenever they were faced with complex projects that needed to be delivered on time to meet their clients’ need. He was dependable, reliable and quick to think ‘outside-the-box’.
My Nephew was a fashionista, a powerful dresser who loves to stand out from the crowd. He knew the right colour combination to wear, loud colour that would make him the center of attraction any day, any time. Since he had always worn Afro hair from the outset, he decided to turn his hair into dreadlocks of any style he wanted. Not forgetting he loved the colour pink, which was why there was a touch of pink in whatever dress he wore, no matter how little.
This designer, medical glasses blood relation of mine was an extrovert, a man with a heart of independence who knew what he wanted and how to have earned it. He had no dull moment. He was the center of any social gathering among his colleagues and friends. If he had arrived anywhere, everyone would be smiling since he would have brought with him his infectious laughter.
He visited me recently. We ate and watched the news. And he assured of his intention to quit ‘bachelorhood’ next year after he would have introduced the ‘lady’ of his choice to me in the following words: “Uncle Elijah, I can assure you that come early next year, I am going to introduce to you the lady in my life, so I could get married before the end of the year.” Those words are still echoing in my mind at present.
I firmly share in the belief of Lailah Gifty Akita, a philosopher who said: “When a dream is fulfilled, it is always a glorious feeling.”
Similarly, I concur to the stance of Rosette Mugidde Wamambe who stated that “In order to live a fulfilled life, do not focus on the size of your audience; focus instead on leaving an impact on the circle of influence God has given you.”
In brevity, Iseunife was a huge gift to Nigeria where everyone who encountered him had a lasting great memory of him. He was a child of God, who dedicated his life to serving the Lord Almighty in truth and honesty. He loved to pray a lot. He fasted most times and never missed his personal fellowship with God.
As such, the ink in my pen stopped flowing, the day turned black and wind seized around me the moment that unbelievable and unexpected news hit me and everyone else almost
simultaneously that my nephew had gone to the Lord Almighty to join the other Saints of God in Heaven. I wept. We all shed uncontrollable tears.
We joined friends, family members and colleagues of Iseunife to attend his ‘Service of Songs’ a couple of days ago at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos State where streams of tributes poured in for Iseunife nonstop.
In the legacy book of Iseunife, his dad, Engineer Pastor Oyebanjo said: “His extraordinary nature allowed him to make friend easily. Highly collaborative, Iseunife was a strong networker who used everything in him to make others happy. We love him and we love the conviction in our hearts that Iseunife lives on because light shines forever.”
For my biological sister, Hannah, his mother, in the same book, she stated: “Your friends will remember your laughter, your colleagues will remember your brilliance. Those you helped will remember the doors you opened. Those you counselled will remember your wisdom. Those whose burdens you carried will remember your kindness. Those who knew your creativity will remember your remarkable mind. And those who knew your style will remember that Iseunife never entered a room casually. You left an imprint. The writer sleeps. The visualist sleeps. The strategist sleeps. The photographer sleeps. The stylist sleeps. The cook sleeps. The drummer sleeps. The keyboardist sleeps. The evangelist sleeps.”
The Church service under the spiritual guidance of Pastor Jimmy Odukoya had invited guests from all walks of life seated with Praise & Worship taken by The Grace Levites, 1st Bible Reading from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Hymn, 2nd Bible Reading 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Film Playback of his Beginnings, Family Reflection.
The highpoints of the ceremony were when Ilerioluwa Oyebanjo, the twin brother in his tribute to his brother, paused a few seconds, looked into the cloud (as if talking to Iseunife) to say: “You are my twin brother. My blood brother. You mean so much to me and nothing can ever take your place in my heart because you are so special. You are a part of me and would remain till we see face-to-face in Heaven,” and when Pastor Tolu Odukoya brought the presence of Heavenly Angels down by her rendition of spiritually inspired songs: “Ijinle, Aiyeloa…and a few others”, which drew emotions, goose pimples and visibly hears tears to the eye of the people.
Without a shred of doubt, for Iseunife: he came, he saw and he conquered. Rest on my lively-spirited nephew.
Deepest love from me: Uncle Elijah.
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