Segun Obadare-Akpata: Strong in death as in life

For some of us close to Segun Obadare-Akpata, it is difficult to think of him in the past tense, weeks after he passed on to the great beyond (he died on Thursday August 1, 2024 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba). This is partly because of his remarkable liveliness, and for being visibly conspicuous in any gathering featuring him.

Unfailingly, one would remember Segun for being an active participant in any group. While his versatility and varied experiences of life had a lot to do with this characteristic, what drove him, more than anything else, is his incurable passion to give to the society, and to impart some of his God-given talents to his community as well as to the younger generation to which he was an unsolicited mentor.

Segun had many things always going for him, none the least of which was his ability to interact freely with most people, irrespective of their age difference, ethnic or religious affiliation; he could always relate with them and often, appreciated their culture and tradition even more than the owners.

He was a Christian till death, but he was home in a gathering of Muslims, and could recite the fathia and other basic suras, as fluently as any Muslim cleric. The fact that he could speak the three major Nigerian languages of Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa very fluently was always an asset to his basic undertakings. And his very broad experience as a theatre artist, actor, script writer, television and film producer and director among other occupations provided him additional leverage, making him an almost complete Nigerian.

Segun was a delight to have around in serious and professional engagements. But he was even more attractive as a social blender; at home with the old as with the young, displaying an uncommon understanding and camaraderie to easily provoke interest in a topic, as well as calm frayed nerves when the stakes got high. Far from being limited to his professional domain which itself harboured diverse fields, Segun’s versatility went beyond, to areas such as sports, especially football, music, dancing, folklore, drama, poetry, tradition and adage. I recollect that he corrected me in delivering appropriate Yoruba wise sayings; yet he wasn’t a Yoruba man, although he lived most of his years in Yorubaland. Clearly however, his flair was the proceed of a natural talent rather than a mere environmental association.

The story of Segun Obadare-Akpata brought out vividly, the lesson of how we human beings hardly appreciate the value or worth of the treasure in our possession until we lose them. For me, Segun’s death at 67 years was one too soon. We had planned over the years to undertake some projects, professionally and socially, at a later date.

Those plans are likely to go into oblivion, if they hadn’t already, because much of them had to do with tapping the personal and deep resources inherent in us jointly and severally. There is hardly a chance that the plans could be executed by substituting someone else for Segun. Segun loved his freedom and, to sustain this, he kept out of problem with law enforcement. If you saw him at the police station, he most probably had come to mediate in a matter involving someone else.

And he guarded his health jealously. In the 30 years or thereabout that we knew him, he never smoked; he drank very moderately and responsibly. And he was a physical health enthusiast. Months before he took ill and eventually died, he played soccer with the Ikorodu All Stars Football Club of which he was a staunch member. He could run football commentary and analyse football matches as much as any good such commentator.

It was certainly an irony of life that despite being meticulously careful about his life, Segun succumbed to illness that deprived him of his freedom for more than a year. But it was to his large heart, and understanding of life that, more than two years before his death; or even before he took ill, Segun told whoever cared to listen that he didn’t expect anybody to be sad if he died. Indeed, he told friends and associates that were with him on that light occasion (they were all relaxing after a session of footballing) that they should be happy and drink beer anytime his obituary was announced. His wife, Funmi, was to add, after his death, that her husband never feared death all through his illness.

He in fact was the one giving succour and words of encouragement to members of his family or his close friends who felt alarm that despite close attention and huge financial resources committed to restore his health, he was not responding. That was in his final days, although none of us ever thought seriously that the illness could lead to death.

Segun Obadare-Akpata, SO-A as he was fondly called by his friends and associates, was born in the ancient city of Benin in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, into the family of Barrister Olayinka Obadare-Akpata and Mrs Adedunke Daniels, both of blessed memory, on May 12, 1957. From an early age, Segun learned to live and love and understand life which in time shaped his life to the man he was until he passed on.

Oluwasegun had his elementary and part of his secondary school education in the Northern part of Nigeria but completed the latter at Zumratul Secondary School, Yaba, Lagos. A very inquisitive and brilliant mind, he went further in his pursuit of knowledge at The Technical College, Oyo, in the old Oyo State, Nigeria.

Segun made peace with his maker by making the Logic Church his home. This was exemplified by his outlook towards different belief systems, whereby, he tolerated all religious opinions but worked on a very beautiful relationship with his Creator. A prayer warrior, he was always on hand to lead the Christian prayers in all functions, in particular, those organised by All Stars Football Association, Ikorodu

SO-A was a thoroughbred professional in the Nigeria creative space. He was the Managing Director at Village Spring Entertainment, a Platform through which he produced authentic African stories for audiences in particular and around the world. He was a remarkable and multi-talented professional; a very creative director and art director, a versatile actor and producer, an industry activist who is very passionate about his arts. He truly devoted his talent and time to his craft, exhibiting unrivalled honesty and integrity in all his dealings with creativity, both on scene and behind the scenes.

At various times, he worked with legendary practitioners, like the late Ade Love, I sho Pepper, Jimoh Aliu and living legends of the industry: 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 a good mixer and socialite. Making friends comes very easy and natural to him and he made a good quantum of very good and wonderful friends in his lifetime. A complete and detribalised Nigerian by all standard, Segun spoke the three major Nigerian languages of Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo flawlessly, not to talk of his mother tongue, Benin. A good organiser and event planner, he was a member of Lions Club International, an active member of Zumratul Old Boys and a respected, committed and loved member of All Stars Football Association, Ikorodu, a combination of football ex-international, football enthusiasts, old and young. 

SO-A was happily married to Funmilayo Ogudu-Obadare-Akpata, a delectable, soft spoken and well-behaved young lady, who was with him solidly as he was ravaged by ill health, and they shared a very beautiful union and companionship.

Segun is leaving behind beautiful, wonderful, and well brought up children, male, and female. SO-A will be fondly remembered for his honesty, forthrightness, dedication to given assignments and undiluted love for his family.

We celebrate the impact his life had on humanity; his kindness, strength, wisdom and the cherished memories he is leaving behind. As his family, friends and colleagues miss him sorely, we reflect on his journey and find comfort in knowing that he will forever be a part of our lives; living on, through the love we shared and the stories we hold dear.
Ogundele and Sanyaolu, both friends of the late Segun Obadare-Akpata, wrote from Ikorodu, Lagos State. They can be reached at [email protected]