Olumide Ayinla Biyi

August 29th, 1956 – March 18th, 2021

Early years

Olumide Ayinla Biyi was born into the Sangobiyi family on the 29th of August 1956 at Isaga Orile in the then Ikereku District (now Abeokuta North Local Government Area) of Ogun State. He was the son of Chief Jacob Abiodun Sangobiyi and Chief Mrs. Victoria Olabisi Sangobiyi (nee Akindele), both are of blessed memory. His father was a native of Isaga Orile in the then Ikereku District (now Abeokuta North Local Government Area) of Ogun State while his mother was from Iboro, in Yewa North area of Ogun State. He was born into an Anglican family and attended his parents church, St. Andrews Anglican Church, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Family

Olumide Ayinla Biyi was the third child and second male of the family. While in Benin City for his Youth Corps, he met his lovely wife Dr. Mrs. Ibienebo Nelly Biyi (Nee Nga) from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and got married in 1987. Their marriage was blessed with two children: Tolulope and Oluwole. They eventually relocated to the United States in 1995 to continue their life as a family. He showed great fatherly love and affection towards both his biological and non-biological children. His passion and calling for discovering talent, encouraging, and supporting everyone extended to those outside of his nuclear family. Olumide’s willingness to help others, in any way he could, almost to a fault, had a tremendous impact on any and everyone who came in contact with him irrespective of age, origin, etc. His Selfless acts had a multiplier effect on humanity.

Education

He was extremely passionate about education and this was expressed in his own accomplishments. He started his primary school education at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Mission Primary School, Ibara, Abeokuta (1962-1967). He proceeded to Methodist High School, Arigbajo, Ifo in Ogun State (1968-1972) and to Ahmadiya College, Agege, Lagos (1973-1974). He taught Mathematics at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Abeokuta. (1974/75 Session). He then proceeded to the Ibadan Polytechnic to obtain Ordinary Diploma - Accounting (1975-1977) and then to Yaba College of Technology to obtain Higher National Diploma - Accounting (1978-1980). Olumide went to University of Ibadan to obtain an MBA - Finance & Accounting (1988-1990) and went back again to obtain an M.Sc. - Banking & Finance (2007-2010). He was working towards a Ph.D. in Corporate Governance at Lead City University, Ibadan. Olumide possessed professional licenses and certifications in the field of Accounting, Oracle, Audit, IT Risk & Cybersecurity.

Career

Olumide had Industrial Attachment at the defunct ITT in Lagos and his NYSC service in 1980/81 at Benoni Hospital in Benin where he was retained as the accountant to establish a proper accounting system and department till 1988. He started private businesses (VideoVille and OBIT Technology) from 1989 and later relocated to the United States in 1995. While in the U.S., he worked with Oracle Corporation, KPMG, and PWC. He was part of many "first" Oracle implementations for several government agencies (Ghana, Lagos State, etc.) and fortune 500 companies. He then joined the Internal Audit Department (IT) of African Development Bank in Tunis, Tunisia in 2005 and then back to Oracle (Nigeria) in 2007 covering African & Middle East Operations. After retiring from Oracle, he became the Chief Operating Officer/Partner at Counterhouse Consultants Nigeria Ltd. and started developing his very own, Okanlomo Farms in Isaga Orile.

Spiritual, Social, Sports and Politics

Given his love for God, Humanity & Church Development, Olumide became an Alter Server, Lay Reader and Evangelist at the Anglican Diocese, but later domiciled with the Anglican Church of The Healing Cross, Kemta, Abeokuta. Within his modest resources, he gave to the church, needy and society. Because of his passion for rural and grassroot development, he ventured into politics and became the Supervisory Councilor for Health – Abeokuta North Local Govt. in 2002-2003 and later became the APC leader in Abeokuta North before his demise. Olumide founded the Okunmase Warriors Football Club in 2019. He loved to play Table Tennis and belonged to many associations in the society. He was a member of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (St. Andrews, Ibara), Christian Unity Band of Nigeria (All Saints' Anglican Parish Church, Ikosi Ketu), Men’s Forum (Anglican Church of The Healing Cross, Kemta, Idi-Aba), Men’s Fellowship (RCCG House on the Rock, Grand Prairie, Texas), OASIS Elder’s Council (RCCG House on the Rock, Grand Prairie, Texas), Journalist Estate, Arepo, Ogun State., and the Abeokuta Sports Club. Olumide was the Chairman, Electricity Project Committee for the Kemta Housing Estate, the Vice President for the German Shepherd Dog Foundation, Ogun State Chapter, and served as Former Alumni President and current Chairman Board of Trustees at the Methodist High School, Ifo, Ogun State.

Due to his love for his place of origin, Olumide donated tremendously to the growth and development of Isaga Orile and the church, Rev. Fry Memorial Anglican Church. He recently provided borehole water to improve water supply for the entire Isaga community.

Olumide was a rare gem and clearly a role model to all whose lives he touched who in turn have publicly acknowledged his uniqueness as a Believer, Giver, Leader, Jovial, Peacemaker, Philanthropist, Strategist, Courageous, Manager and Mentor. He will be remembered as one who gave selfless service to God, his people and his nation.

Olumide Ayinla Biyi breathed his last at his home in Grand Prairie, United States on March 18th, 2021 after a brief illness. He will surely be missed by family, friends, Counterhouse, Oracle & IT colleagues, Isaga Orile, Churches, Alumni, and Abeokuta North APC.

Dr. (Mrs.) Ibienebo Biyis (Wife) Tribute

Olumide as I call him, not Baba Tolu or Baba Wole, it breaks my heart to be writing this.

Life is just a resting/stopping place along the road to eternity, different for every one of us. You ran your race and fought the good fight of faith with all your might and have now gone home to rest.

You were a husband, father, grandfather, brother, in law, uncle, nephew, friend, and mentor. You left a legacy of love, passion, loyalty, strength, hospitality, good cheer, benevolence, happiness, radiance, purpose, and transformation to name a few. By Gods grace, we will continue to the best of our God given ability.

You loved God and served Him the best you knew how, transforming (or trying to) whichever church you were at for good just the same way you did with everyone who came along your path, whether they asked for help or not. You were one of the kindest, most giving people I have ever known. You believed in giving to the people not because you had enough but because you cared enough. You found it hard to say no to any request and could easily give away your most prized possessions without a second thought. You wanted the good of all as your belief was if all are doing well then no one would be a burden to another. The Lord helped you even to accomplish this and your tentacles was far reaching even beyond your own expectations. You made me/us laugh, you made me/us cry but left an indelible mark in our hearts that won't be forgotten. You made everywhere you were fun which made you so enduring even through your guff’s. A lot of people probably saw you as just a fun-loving person, but you were more than that. You were very deep, insightful and a wonderful planner even in your sleep. Your attention to detail was impeccable.

We were so different yet so alike in the end. You taught me to talk, open up to others, and be hospitable to a fault or should I say you brought out that part that was always inside of me. You loved to talk and did our talking for us and we let you as it brought you joy. You used your passion to speak life into everyone that crossed your path by reassuring, supporting and encouraging them not to lose hope but to keep on pushing for a better tomorrow.

It is said that what is important is not how long a life is lived but how well. Olumide, you lived well and Again, I say You left a great legacy for me, Tolu and Wole to continue and by his grace we will to the best of our God given ability. Our family chain is broken. A big void you have left behind that will be hard to fill except by our good, good father – Baba God. Your love for God, and His love for you orchestrated things for you in ways you least expected and I believe brought you back home in the last few months of your life to be taken care of by us and loved ones around you even though we did not know it then that God would call you home on March 18, 2021. He saw you getting tired and was not ready to extend a cure this time as he was ready for you to come home. So, he wrapped his loving arms around you and said come rest your hard-working hands, brain and body; an end to pain and suffering, complete healing but in eternity.

You left your footprints in the sand of time, although we cannot see you now, you have just gone out of sight but will forever be in our hearts. I love you; we love you, but God loves you more.

Sun Re O

IB

Tolulope Biyis (Daughter) Tribute

I dreaded the day I would have to sit down to write this. I pushed off doing it for as long as I could but as the deadline approached, I found myself getting sick to my stomach. What would I say about my father who was no longer physically here with me, who had always been one of the most essential parts of my world? Someone who took me by the hand when I was little and helped show me the way…So many thoughts and questions as I sat down to write but after many long hours of deliberating, I was quickly reminded that there is a time and season for everything, including loss which is a part of life. With that I was comforted and decided to write a letter to my daddy in heaven…

Daddy, you were a man like no other, you gave me life, nurtured me, taught me, dressed me, fought for me, held me, shouted at me, helped me grow, provided support and strength, believed in me but most importantly you loved me unconditionally.

You were by no means perfect, but you were everything to me. No words can express the loss I feel, but despite this, I am thankful to God for your life. I am not saying this because you were my father, but You were no ordinary man but truly a rare gem who touched so many lives in your 64 years on earth. Not a day goes by that I do not think of you and miss you. I miss the sound of your voice, the wisdom in your advice, the stories of your life and just being in your presence. You were a man who had jokes and smiles to brighten up everyone’s day. You lit up every room you walked into as there was never a dull a moment with you. Those special memories of you will always bring a smile. If only I could have you back just for a little while, then we could sit and talk again like we used to. The fact that you are no longer here, will always bring me pain but I know you are in a better place resting in the bosom of the Lord. There are so many things in this life that we do not understand, nor have the answers to but I will forever be grateful to God for ordering your steps back “home” to us even though we never anticipated what was to come, 18 March 2021. I was graced with the opportunity to be there with and for you (every step of the way) these past four months, until the end, and I would not trade it for the world. I take solace knowing you are no longer in pain and resting. I know without a doubt that you are watching over us.

The greatest legacy anyone can leave behind is to positively impact the lives of others. Daddy, you added value to EVERYONE’S life. Your good deeds and works spoke forth for you and is still speaking for you, always ready to give and willing to share, by force. LOL! Selfless does not even describe half of who you were. You always had a way of putting people at ease no matter the situation. You did everything whole heartedly. I was always amazed at how you juggled it all, never expecting anything in return and yet still managed to keep a positive outlook on life, regardless of what life threw at you. You were such an inspiration and a phenomenal man. There are not enough words I can say to describe how important you were to me, and what a powerful influence you will continue to be. You paved the way for many but most importantly for me, your baby girl. I promise to always make you proud daddy.

You are forever in my heart, until we meet again. Love you daddy!

Tolu

#OmoDaddy #DaddysGirlForLife

Oluwole Biyis (Son) Tribute

A remembrance of Life.

To a Great Man, father & husband.

Always willing to help people be the best versions of themselves.

Gone from the physical, but forever in the spiritual!

A giving soul that will forever be missed & forever cherished.

A Great Mentor to many & a giver of all.

At times it still feels surreal, like conversations had yesterday that can be no more.

The saying is that time heals all things, so only time will tell.

Solace is found in knowing that you are truly at peace and watching over all of us.

It is now on us, the living, to remember the light, to remember the good done, to remember all of the teachings & to remember the influence of a Great man & all of the lives touched.

In Loving Memory:

Olumide Ayinla Biyi

Out of sight but forever in our hearts.

Wole