Tried as some did, they could not hold back tears. It was an emotive atmosphere at the All Saints Church in Shooter’s Hill on Tuesday night, as family, friends, policemen and politicians paid tributes at the service of songs for Richard Taylor, the father of murdered 10-year-old schoolboy, Damilola, whose death reverberated across the United Kingdom on November 27, 2000.
Taylor, who died of prostate cancer on Saturday, March 23, at 75 years, was described as a ‘generous’ and ‘inspirational’ man by some of those who eulogised him at the packed South East London Church, where his late wife, Gloria, and Damilola’s funeral services were also held.
In his eulogy, Leroy Logan, one of the policemen who investigated Damilola’s murder, said: “Taylor showed so much dignity that Damilola’s loss should not be in vain.”
“Taylor wrote the foreword in my autobiography and he used to call me his in-law.”
Member of Parliament (MP) for Vauxhall, Florence Eshalomi, said that when the position of MP became vacant “he was one of the few people to give me endorsement.”
He even went a step further, assuring her that she’ll clinch the seat and become “a Member of Parliament.”
Besides, he used to call her honourable, and was “proud to see a British-Nigerian as MP.”
Eshalomi noted: “Our young people were not born with a knife in their hands. Let’s continue to build on the legacy he left.”
Southwark Council Councillor, Michael Shittu, said that Taylor’s work led to many young people having a promising life.”
Gary, a trustee of Damilola Taylor Trust (DTT), was of the view that despite being murdered, “Damilola changed the world.” Moreover, due to the revolutionary work of the investigation and campaign, “Richard Taylor changed the world” as well.
Kehinde Da-Silva, who saw him two weeks before he passed away, described him as “very jovial and supportive,” and was “always there to support people. He was a great man.”
Solomon Abuede told the congregation that “Taylor was a generous and knowledgeable man. He used to call me a junior doctor (though a pharmacist).” Heaven, he said, has gained a soul.
Jeff, a trustee of DTT, like others who spoke, was emotional as he recounted his interactions with Taylor. “I first met him shortly after Damilola was murdered,” and later on, both himself and Taylor” were elected to the church council. He described DTT as “a pathfinder as it gave opportunities for talented youngsters to study medicine.”
Master of ceremony, Lewis, who was emotional like others said: “The key thing with him is hope. He gives hope.” He disclosed that when he saw him the Wednesday before he passed away, “he didn’t say, when next are we seeing?”
Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom (CANUK), Ayo Akinfe, commented on his spirit of forgiveness, noting: “He never said anything bad about people who murdered his son.”
