Adieu, Ayodele Olusoga Banjo (1950 – 2015)

THE death of Ayodele Olusoga Banjo in his Ikorodu home on Saturday October 10, 2015 has left a deep void in his family and his community. Banjo died at age 65, a religious, family and communal activist who touched the lives of many people that came across him. He was a mixture of a gentleman, a firm disciplinarian and nevertheless a socialite.

Born on April 6, 1950, to late Pa Johnson Laja Banjo and Late Omisola Asabi Banjo in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, Banjo started his education at St. Mark’s Anglican Primary School, Ijebu Igbo, following which he enrolled as an apprentice to learn Printing at POAB Printing Company, Ijebu Ode.

The late Banjo became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses when he got baptized on December 15, 1964. In 1971, Pa Banjo went to Bethel to advance kingdom interest as a missionary. He was there till 1976.

He Banjo met his beautiful and loving wife Mrs. Oluyinka Banjo and they got married on October 23, 1976 at Shomolu, Lagos. The marriage was blessed with four boys: Oluseun, Oluwatosin, Iyeniyi and Babalola all of whom, with their mother, survive their father.

Still in 1976, Banjo joined Thomas Wyatt (Apex Mill) where he worked till 1983 before he joined Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) where he retired in 1993 as Senior Supervisor. He became self-employed thereafter, establishing Ayo Banjo Enterprise.

He has served in various capacities in the truth. He became an elder in 1975 and served until his death. He inspired many to know Jehovah and this was a major fulfillment for him. He was also an activist and a community man, who could not sit idle in the face of injustice being unleashed on his neighbours. He was always in the forefront of communal efforts to improve his immediate environment, particularly in Somolu and Bariga areas where he spent substantial part of his life, along with his family.

He will be fondly remembered and missed by many Christian brothers and sisters, as well as his neighbours. The late Banjo was buried on Saturday, October 17, 2015 with service by Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness, 22 Isawo road, Agric Bus stop, Owutu, Ikorodu.