THE Dr SOWUNMI OLABODE (aka Docky Show)

"... it was about 9:30 pm along the Jebba- Mokwa road. I was going on about 160 KPH when I heard a sound of something that hit my windscreen." I reversed the car and stopped.

When I came out It was pitch dark and all I could hear were cricket sounds. On searching, I discovered it was a bird. I kicked it off the road and got back in the car"

That was a narrative by my dad to some friends over drinks. It reflected his true spirit - He was intrepid and bold.

Born to Justice Olabode Sowunmi and Mrs Victoria Sowunmi-Idowu on Dec 30 1942; my dad had his fair share of challenges but left incredible memories for us. He had dogged determination and a unique legacy of integrity. By example, he showed to all of us that a man never need compromise for money.

It is to his eternal credit that In my life, I have NEVER known my dad to shift a position for money or related pecuniary gains no matter how small the issue. He thought me and my siblings that integrity is being true to what you are convinced is right and not what people consider right.

Like Prof Wole Soyinka (who was an acquaintance of his) said, "The man dies who refuses to stand up to tyranny". My dad believed that the spirit on integrity from standing on a conviction makes a man's destiny to open up in strange ways.

In the 60s he was a footballer who represented Lagos state in the Junior Academicals team. In the 70s he was engaged as manager in training with Unilever (then Lever Brothers) along with Chief Rufus Giwa and Chief Jubril Martins-Kuye. In the 80s he was part of President Shagari's Green Revolution committee. Later on he was consultant to the UN's Food and Agricultural Organisation. In the 1990s he served on the board of Western Livestock (one Oodua group of companies). He also lectured at the United Nations University and the Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye.

Dr Sowunmi was a man of many gifts and many faults. It you focus on his faults, you could not benefit from his gifting. However those who were his friends were incredible for their loyalty. When I met Chief Martins-Kuye for the first time, he had his driver come to the entrance of his estate to lead me as I drove to his house and when I entered, he held me by the hand to his inner living room. "You are Budi Show's child?" ..was his first statement to me. They truly valued their relationship.

Two weeks ago he said he was to visit Europe with his sisters for a cruise. My daughters managed to extract a promise of a visit to the zoo from him. He traveled 4 days ago. He passed on to glory in his hotel room in Venice. When my wife informed the girls that grandpa had gone to be with the Lord, the younger one said. So who is going to take us to the Zoo now? I guess different strokes for different folks. I heard searched only to discover that I had no pictures of my dad on my phone.

Two years ago ago on a Sunday afternoon, our mai guard (security guard) in Kano called his line from nowhere after over 30 years. Why? He was handing over his daughter daughter in marriage in his compound in Sokoto on that day. He wanted my dad to know he was the one the inspired and motivated him to acquire some education. i remembered him faintly as Sumiala.

My dad touched the lives of everyone connected with him. He was a gifted writer and communicator and even in his 70s he was an intellectual. Sir, we salute your legacy. Daddy, rest in the lord till we meet to part no more.