Olayiwola Bernard Daji did not have a premonition of his death in the ill-fated Associated Airlines plane crash that occurred in Lagos few minutes after take-off from the local wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, on Thursday, last week. The aircraft was to convey the remains of former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, to Akure for a lying-in-state ceremony.
But what Daji, a protocol officer attached to Government House, Alagbaka-Akure and a victim of the October 3, mishap did not foresee, his dogs saw it few days to the crash.
The deceased, who was worried about the persistent barking of his two guard dogs locked away inside an iron cage in his compound, told some of his friends on the night preceding the crash that the dogs barked unusually and provocatively.Layi, as he was popularly called, was at his usual joint at S.O area of Akure till about 10p.m. on the eve of the crash, where he always hanged out with his childhood friends. On the day of the crash, his friends were expecting him back at Kings & Queen Barbing Saloon, their usual rendezvous, to tell them about his Lagos trip.
They were, therefore, shocked to hear that their jolly good old friend, has gone to return no more to share drinks, jokes, gists and more importantly, listen to their individual problems as a good counsellor and generous man to a fault.
When his death was eventually announced to the family and Daji’s home started witnessing large turnout of people, the dogs were silent, even when this reporter approached their cage to take their photograph.
His 38-year-old wife, Abiodun Esther Daji, sat depressed and lost in thought when Saturday Independent visited their house in Oda Road area of Akure metropolis last Tuesday.
She was surrounded by relatives, neighbours, workmates and church members, who consoled her to eat and sleep.
Occasionally, she would look at the photograph of their wedding and those of their children, Precious (13), Favour (11) and Marvellous (2) hung on the walls of the sitting room and she would heave a sigh and mutter.
Abiodun would caution the restless little Marvellous, who was all over the place, playing oblivious of what has happened.
Since the incident, the house has been witnessing hordes of sympathisers and mourners who came to condole with the bereaved.
Among early callers at the residence were Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his wife, Olukemi, and members of the state executive council.
Governor Mimiko, who was moved to tears, gazed at the picture of the decease on the wall, called his name twice and lifted the little Daji to his chest while consoling the deceased’s wife.
He promised that government would fund the children’s education to university level, stressing that he would ensure that the family the late Daji left behind would not lack anything.
Also, the late Agagu’s family, led by Prof. A.A Agagu, was at the home of the Dajis to condole with the family.
In the condolence register at the late Daji’s residence, Prof. Agagu wrote: “The loss of this gem is a great blow on the state, a hard-working and perfect gentleman, who was cut down at the prime of his life. The Almighty God, restorer, the comforter will uphold the family.”
The Bishop of Diocese of Idoani (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. E.B Dahunsi, who led a delegation from Idoani, hometown of Layi Daji, wrote in the register: “No doubt, we have lost a gem. Your life was short but very purposeful. Good night, we shall surely miss you.”
Another condolence message by William Olufemi reads: “You lived an exemplary life, unassuming, amiable, dedicated and always wearing a smile even at the height of provocation at your duty post. You loved your job and you were always enthusiastic.”
Olu Isola wrote: “Layi, I don’t know it will be this soon, a shocking news to me because I saw you on Wednesday at a reception in the Governor’s Office when you smiled and greeted me, not knowing that that was the last greeting, but God knows everything. He giveth and taketh. Goodbye till we meet and part no more.”
The immediate younger brother to the deceased, Niyi Daji, who spoke on behalf of the family, told the state government not to abandon the wife and children left behind by his brother, urging it to also extend the gesture to the nonagenarian father of the crash victim, Pa. Adejoro Daji.
He thanked Governor Mimiko for the visit and the promise to take over the education of the children, stressing that his brother died in active service
Source: Daily Independent
But what Daji, a protocol officer attached to Government House, Alagbaka-Akure and a victim of the October 3, mishap did not foresee, his dogs saw it few days to the crash.
The deceased, who was worried about the persistent barking of his two guard dogs locked away inside an iron cage in his compound, told some of his friends on the night preceding the crash that the dogs barked unusually and provocatively.Layi, as he was popularly called, was at his usual joint at S.O area of Akure till about 10p.m. on the eve of the crash, where he always hanged out with his childhood friends. On the day of the crash, his friends were expecting him back at Kings & Queen Barbing Saloon, their usual rendezvous, to tell them about his Lagos trip.
They were, therefore, shocked to hear that their jolly good old friend, has gone to return no more to share drinks, jokes, gists and more importantly, listen to their individual problems as a good counsellor and generous man to a fault.
When his death was eventually announced to the family and Daji’s home started witnessing large turnout of people, the dogs were silent, even when this reporter approached their cage to take their photograph.
His 38-year-old wife, Abiodun Esther Daji, sat depressed and lost in thought when Saturday Independent visited their house in Oda Road area of Akure metropolis last Tuesday.
She was surrounded by relatives, neighbours, workmates and church members, who consoled her to eat and sleep.
Occasionally, she would look at the photograph of their wedding and those of their children, Precious (13), Favour (11) and Marvellous (2) hung on the walls of the sitting room and she would heave a sigh and mutter.
Abiodun would caution the restless little Marvellous, who was all over the place, playing oblivious of what has happened.
Since the incident, the house has been witnessing hordes of sympathisers and mourners who came to condole with the bereaved.
Among early callers at the residence were Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his wife, Olukemi, and members of the state executive council.
Governor Mimiko, who was moved to tears, gazed at the picture of the decease on the wall, called his name twice and lifted the little Daji to his chest while consoling the deceased’s wife.
He promised that government would fund the children’s education to university level, stressing that he would ensure that the family the late Daji left behind would not lack anything.
Also, the late Agagu’s family, led by Prof. A.A Agagu, was at the home of the Dajis to condole with the family.
In the condolence register at the late Daji’s residence, Prof. Agagu wrote: “The loss of this gem is a great blow on the state, a hard-working and perfect gentleman, who was cut down at the prime of his life. The Almighty God, restorer, the comforter will uphold the family.”
The Bishop of Diocese of Idoani (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. E.B Dahunsi, who led a delegation from Idoani, hometown of Layi Daji, wrote in the register: “No doubt, we have lost a gem. Your life was short but very purposeful. Good night, we shall surely miss you.”
Another condolence message by William Olufemi reads: “You lived an exemplary life, unassuming, amiable, dedicated and always wearing a smile even at the height of provocation at your duty post. You loved your job and you were always enthusiastic.”
Olu Isola wrote: “Layi, I don’t know it will be this soon, a shocking news to me because I saw you on Wednesday at a reception in the Governor’s Office when you smiled and greeted me, not knowing that that was the last greeting, but God knows everything. He giveth and taketh. Goodbye till we meet and part no more.”
The immediate younger brother to the deceased, Niyi Daji, who spoke on behalf of the family, told the state government not to abandon the wife and children left behind by his brother, urging it to also extend the gesture to the nonagenarian father of the crash victim, Pa. Adejoro Daji.
He thanked Governor Mimiko for the visit and the promise to take over the education of the children, stressing that his brother died in active service
Source: Daily Independent
