Sir: This tribute is to Temitope Adeniran Ademakinwa who died on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Ademakinwa died at the age of 62, leaving behind a 97-year-old mother, an elder brother and a daughter. During his lifetime, Ademakinwa was gracefully cerebral and deeply analytical.
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He was meticulous, truthful and responsible. He was gentle, yet assertive. In all things, our departed brother trusted God infinitely. Even when he was passing through difficult times, he remained a distinctive voice and dependable ally. Ademakinwa wanted to make the best of life but, unfortunately, life failed him.

Towards his last days on earth, Ademakinwa went through extreme deprivation. There were days he went to bed hungry. How then would he attend to his medications? When he fell ill and was admitted to UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital (UTH), Osogbo, from July 12, 2023 to August 16, 2023, paying for his medical bills became threatening. We had to put out an SOS on ‘IleriOluwa Manifest’, the WhatsApp Group platform for former political functionaries in the Gboyega Oyetola-led government.

Thankfully, former Governor Oyetola sent something. Former Deputy Governor Titi Laoye-Tomori, now Laoye-Ponle, in whose office Ademakinwa served as Chief Press Secretary for six years, also sent something. Niyi Idowu paid the medical bills at the hospital where the patient was initially stabilised before he was given a referral to UTH.

Well, that’s all the man got. But the donations were like just a drop in the ocean. Not unsurprisingly, the big boys in the former administration simply looked unconcerned. Others only contributed prayers; and it was as if Ademakinwa worked at the altar.

For those who have ears, Ademakinwa has brought up some debatable issues. What is left of man after the toil and trouble and what hopes hath he in the strength and wealth of princes? Well, there are many Tope Ademakinwas out there who are suffering and dying without any attention from their masters and those who matter in society. They beg for things as diminutive as feeding their kids, paying their kids’ school fees, even paying rents while their masters live large on the proceeds of political participation.

The tragic ingredient of our democracy is that those who have at one time or the other put a muzzle on democracy are the ones reaping bountifully from it while the real heroes continue to bite their fingers.

Wither the progressive? Truth be told, Ademakinwa’s ordeal is an indictment on the progressive camp in Nigeria. The fear of the future is one solid reason corruption and eye-service cannot be eradicated from our system. Our beloved brother was a victim of a hardhearted, ‘kill and cry’ and ‘kill and smile’ world where poverty continues to serve as the testament of existence.

He worked for ten years as a senior political aide to two successive administrations in Osun but left with next-to-nothing to show for his industry. No severance packages and no perks of sorts. He’s even being owed. Most times, Ademakinwa lived on stipends from his elder brother who as a retired soldier also survives on his monthly pension.

Gone but not forgotten! As Ademakinwa was preparing for the journey to eternal silence, he muttered, agonisingly: “When the world begins to greet you casually, it’s time to leave.” So, what’s left of life?
Abiodun Komolafe.
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