Tribute to an unsung hero and life achiever

Politicians and celebrities steal the headlines, whereas there are many others out there who have impacted on humanity in their own modest ways.

Their contributions as law-abiding citizens, as well as impacts they have made on the lives of other human beings, mark them out as the unsung heroes of the universe.

One of such unsung hero is my late brother, Nathaniel Victor Ajayi Akinola, whose contributions went beyond what he did for his immediate family but also for what he did for those who came in contact with him during his lifetime. He touched very many lives.

Nathaniel Akinola was born in April 24, 1949 to the family of the late Chief Josiah Akinola Oisa and Madam Mary Oja Akinola (nee Alabi). He attended the Local Authority Primary School and had his high school certificate in 1970 from Annunciation School, all at Ikere-Ekiti.

He had his National Certificate of Education from College of Education, also at Ikere-Ekiti where he obtained diploma in Mathematics and Physics, then obtained a university degree from the University of Ilorin in 1995. He later went for his Masters in Guidance and Counselling from the same University in 1999.

His job experience spanned many areas which include some time with the British-American Insurance Company where he distinguished himself very well, and teaching at various secondary schools. However, the real essence of his life was in his devotion to God and the teachings of Jesus Christ in his capacity as a committed member of The Apostolic Faith Church.

Someone wrote that a productive life does not come by accident, but one has to deliberately work it out to make it happen. To really exercise the power of God, one has to start emphasising the great power of His that transcends beyond human understanding.

Winning has been described as one that does not start around you but one that begins inside you. So, a winner is someone with that inner joy that nothing, whatsoever, can take away.

As painful as it was for me to write this tribute, I found the needed relief that my brother, Nathaniel Victor Ajayi Akinola was a life achiever.

His given and chosen names showed his personality. As a gift of God (Nathaniel), he was an overcomer (Victor), and when he was born at Ikere-Ekiti, he was in the more favourable face-down position as if he was praying (Ajayi).

The greatest treasure in life is found in the Lord and my brother found that in his life. His most memorable phrase embraced all his focus in the belief that ‘God’s mercy never dims as it is always at its brightness’. Someone from our own generation has gone to glory but I have seen this as a transition to that glorious life that everyone would want to experience. Death might be a defeat, but it is a stepping-stone to a better life.

Never thought this would come at this time, but God loves you and I could hear you are saying it would be okay; that you are in a better place now. Nevertheless, you are still here in our minds and in our hearts. We all love you in our thoughts and we can feel you and all these give us the courage and the necessary strength to carry on your legacy, a scriptural legacy that nothing will take away. You taught me different things that have made positive impacts in my life.  I could remember when you taught me the different ways of tying a tie. How can I forget that?

You taught me to honour people irrespective of where they come from? How can I forget that? You taught me how to write good compositions and essays. I will never forget that. You taught me how to be happy in order to make others happy. That has always been my lifestyle. You showed me that anger is just one letter short of danger. That has made me to avoid being prone to anger. You showed me that excellence would never come by accident, that there will also be a better way of doing something better. That really helped me in my studies.

Most importantly, you introduced me to the Lord Jesus Christ, and I accepted Him as my Lord  and Savior. That, I will ever be grateful to you because you showed me the light from my early age. That has given me the assurance that one day we shall meet again and never part. Being Godly and being prayerful do not exclude one from the challenges of life, but being Godly and prayerfully -minded give us the assurance that God is behind us, to support us and give us success in life.

Your lifestyle was a great one. Thank God that you came to my life. We will surely miss your elegance Mr. President, the only president of immeasurable influence on my humanity. You were born great and you established that.

Survived by his wife and four children, Nathaniel Victor Akinola transitioned into glory on December 09, 2017.

Dr. Akinola wrote from Maryland, USA.