Olubayo Lives On In Our Hearts —Family

Friends, families of late Super Eagles defender, Olubayo Adefemi, who gathered at the Ebony Private Morgue, Atan Cemetary, Lagos Tuesday for the first memorial service of the former Skoda Xanthi of Greece defender, were close to tears as service progressed.

The 2005 U-20 World Youth Championship and Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics silver medalist died on 18 April in an auto crash while driving on Egnatia Odos, near the city of Kavala, Greece on his way to Nigeria to finalise details of his wedding with his fiance, Folasade Adesina, who was also present at the service.

However, the family members of the deceaced refused to be forlorn but decided to use the opportunity that the event brought about to pour encomium on the late footballer who they claimed meant many things to them.

According to Abiodun Adefemi, elder brother of the late footballer, the former Bendel Insurance and defender was able to make positive impact on many lives in his stint on earthbefore he passed on to the great beyond.

“Olubayo touched many lives by exhibiting a spirit of goodwill while he was alive. In fact, I’m not in the least surprised by the way people are calling from far and wide to commiserate with the family,” said Adefemi.

He added: “Olubayo even desired to establish a football academy in the country, where young footballers could be nurtured to become stars. This is a proof that he did not live a selfish life and was ready to help people that were in need of assistance.”

For Folasade Adesina, the fiancee of the late Olubayo, former Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel player was the best man she ever met.

“Olubayo made me realise that you don’t judge a book by its cover. I had always thought that I was the best human being on earth before I met Olubayo. But I later realised that he was a better person than me by the selfless life he lived.

“Olubayo was so humble and taught me how to live a moderate life. I could remember when he bought a pair of shoes under the bridge when we were going to attend Ajilore’s wedding who was his team-mate in Flying Eagles,” added Folasade.

Olayinka Adefemi, the sister-in-law of the late fallen Super Eagles’ player said that Olubayo was a man who liked to carry other people’s burdens.

“He would always be there for you and would never turn you back if you asked him for help. He was always ready to lend a hand to any one who needed his assistance.

“My late brother-in-law was very considerate and careful not to hurt or upset anyone that he came in contact with. He was not demanding and would eat whatever you offer him if he paid you a visit,” said Folasade.

A bossom friend of the late footballer, Emeka Chukwuemeka, said: “Olubayo liked to encourage people when he was alive. He was ready to share whatever he had with people in order to make life better for them.”

For Michael Etim, the Secretary General of the Association of Proprietors of Football Academies of Nigeria, Olubayo lived a disciplined life.

“Olubayo was a role model for the youth in the country during his lifetime. Our association has decided to honour him because he was disciplined during his lifetime.

“We have already started a competition in Lagos State under the umbrella of our association in a bid to immortalise him. We are working very had to make sure that the competition metamorphose to national level so that Olubayo can continue to live in our hearts.

A member of the Technical Committee Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Victor Ikpeba, while delivering the message of the body to the family said “The federation extends its greetings to the family, especially the fiancee of the late footballer.”

“I had the opportunty to meet him several times and I appreciate the simplicity that surrounded his life. He was a good boy and that is why the NFF has sent me here today.

“I want the family to know that the federation is always ready to support them. I enjoin them to feel free to approach the federation whenever they want its support,” added

The former African Footballer of the Year.

Responding to Ikpeba’s comment, Olubayo’s elder brother, Abiodun, said that all the family wanted from the Glass House is to erect a project that will immortalise the name of the late Super Eagles’ player.

“If the NFF wants to give the family anything, It should be what will immortalise Olubayo’s name. All we want is what can keep his name in the minds of his teeming fans in Nigeria. That’s all the family wants,” declared Abiodun.

—Bimbo Ajayi