Olumide Akinterinwwa

sus now, I hope you realise that I was right ). See you in heaven bro!

Dear Lummie,

You were a better man than I. 

I've thought, and cried, I've thought & cried some more..... A little regret, but a lot of gratitude. 

I'm grateful that we got to know each other like we did. That you came, to bless this world as you did. That I didn't just read about you, but I experienced you first-hand. No doubt you inspired me while you were here, but you challenge me even more now that you've gone ahead. 

Because of you, Olumide:

The ordinary is now too plain
and living for self won't suffice
By God, I will stay in lane
and run my race till I see Christ

For then will I see you again I'm sure
brother, friend, groomsman of mine
you helped me nigh off the starting block
you'll hail me loud past the finish line

Oh to embrace your neck and not let go!
what laughter, what joy, what praise we will find
It would take an eternity to do, you know
your reunion with us whom you left behind

What chance I have, I will use it well
with what wings I've been given, I'll fly
what good you've done me, I'll do and tell
It's true; you were a better man than I.


See you later ore mi. God's Blessing to you Yewande, Busola and Bolaji.

Love,
Lekan 

it was a joy sharimg christ with you. you never looked back. Thank you.

I always wondered what it was that kept you so calm,so unwavering,so unperturbed come what may & despite all the ups and downs. I never heard you gripe or complain about anything,i never heard you raise your voice against anyone, you were always ready to listen,eager to help,quick to offer support. It's always the seemingly inconsequential, "little" things that one remembers most. Those amazing acts of kindness which to someone as gracious as you Olumide, would probably not be thought of as much,but to the recipient of such heart-warming actions,are forever remembered. I will never forget it. It was 9 years ago and i was going to Johannesburg for "outside posting". We were talking about this & i sort of mentioned to you in passing my regret at not having a good camera to take along and take some pictures with. You were quiet for a second & then said to me you actually had one which your dad had bought for you. He had advised you against giving it out as it was a very expensive camera & if damaged,the parts were not readily available in Nigeria then. You said you'd lend it to me anyway but the only thing you asked of me was to take really good care of it. I remember it to this day. It was a "cha-cha" Canon with amazing zoom power. Geez,the pics i took with that camera,man! Till today, those crisp & clear pics are some of my most treasured possessions and a reminder of the wonderful times i had in South Africa...all thanks to you Olumide. But of course,i broke the camera!....i had somehow managed to damage the shutter of the lens!...i remember how incredibly embarassed & guilty i felt as i trudged up the stairs to your room in C-block on my return. As i stammeringly & with shaking hands tried to explain to you how the camera fell out of my hands while trying to take my final pics at the pillanesberg national park,all you said was wow! did you at least get to take pictures of lions? ...As long as you had a good time,Wande that's fine. I'm glad to have been of help,don't worry too much about the camera. Olumide,you are one of a kind. The life you lived,your comportment,graciousness and selflessness are an enduring legacy. You don't know it,but in that quiet,understated manner of yours, you always inspired me. Dear Yewande, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Your husband was a good man. In every sense of the word. And to Olumide's sisters...your brother's life was a testament. We will always remember him. God bless you. Rest in peace Olumide Akinterinwa.

Remember when we first met you in 100,200 level. The smart medical student who was willing to teach Yewande and I some biochemistry. Of course I knew there was a lot more going on than biochem but Yewande was initially oblivious.And then there was the lengthy "toasting",courtship ,marriage.

It was so exciting when you guys came over to the US.

 Its about 4-5 hours drive from State College to New york.At the drop of a hat you and Yewande would drive down to see us and help out whenever we had any functions or even just for the heck of it.Your gentleness and humility just always baffled me.You were always so helpful.No task was too much or too little to do.I remember Timilehin's birthday when you guys went to pick up stuff for us.It was so difficult getting there and coming back but you guys did and with a smile still on your face afterwards.

Thank you so much for making my friend so happy.She absolutely knew how much you loved her and she loved you so much too. Your love for each other was such an inspiration for us and our marriage.

We have all been through so much together.You leave a void that only the Holy Spirit can fill.We will keep forging ahead until we meet to part no more.