I wish to humbly pay tributes to three Nigerians (all Awolowo’s men) who died within the last two months. They are the driver of Papa Obafemi Awolowo, “Egbon” Simeon Taiwo Adewodu, Funlola Olorunninsola (Press Secretary to the late Ooni of Ife (Oba Okunade Sijuwade) and a friend of mine in Ijesaland, ‘Laolu Fafiyebi. They all had connections (direct or indirect) with the late Papa Obafemi Awolowo, the leader of leaders.

On December 30, 2016, Chief Adewodu died at his Ilisan Remo residence. He was aged 90 years. Chief Simeon Adewodu was the last driver of Papa Obafemi on earth. We all called him SENIOR. I used to call him “Egbon SENIOR”. He was a very nice man. He gave excellent service to our leader and mentor Papa Obafemi Awolowo.

With him (Adewodu) on the steering, no one ever expressed any anxiety about Papa Awolowo’s safety. He was a driver who combined excellence and maturity with his driving. We never doubted his sense of precaution while driving Papa Awiolowo. He never for a second lost touch with his humanity. He loved Papa Awolowo. He loved his job. He was loyal, dependable and honest.
It was he who drove Papa Obafemi Awolowo throughout the length and breath of Nigeria during the second republic campaigns. Papa in his campaigns during the second republic used the helicopter, the planes and his car for the campaign. If Papa Awolowo used either helicopter or planes, it was “Egbon” Simeon’s lot to drive to the relevant airport or centre to pick Papa up for the campaigns. Papa loved “Egbon” Senior. While driving Papa Awo, Senior ensured that all the things Awo needed were inside his car. He was never on the loud side. He never lost his temper with anyone. I say it with pride today that we all loved him. As the driver of a great leader like Awo, “Senior” never disclosed secrets of whatever he might have heard from his experience as driving one of the most experienced leaders of the Nigerian people.
I never knew that Chief Adewodu had died until the second week of January 2017 when a youngman, Soga from Ikenne, sent me a text message. It was there he had sent me the news of the death of Senior. Soga had written “Papa Awo’s Driver, SENIOR died two weeks ago. We will love a tribute to him. His names are Simeon Taiwo Adewodu J.P.”

Papa Obafemi Awolowo ensured that all his staff were well taken care off on their duty posts. Awo ensured that the children of his staff were well educated. All essentials that could make their lives better were given to them. In other words, Papa Awolowo’s conditions of service for his staff were humane and encouraging. Papa Awolowo’s staff were drawn from many non-Yoruba states.

I remember today, Roberts who was Papa Obafemi Awolowo’s Chief Cook. I think he was from Delta State. His other cooks and domestic staff were either from Cross River or Akwa Ibom States.

“Egbon” Senior never displayed any ostentatious living throughout his life with Awo.

A great man has died. We will all remember him. He will be buried at Ilisan on 12th February.