The remains of the founder of Ibidapo Contracting Services Limited, Chief Meshack Ibidapo, were buried last Friday at Atan Private Cemetery in Yaba, Lagos, after a funeral service at the African Church Arch Cathedral Bethel, Broad Street, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI writes.
Tears flowed freely last Friday as the remains of the founder of Ibidapo Contracting Services Limited, Chief Meshack Ibidapo were buried at Atan Private Cemetery in Yaba, Lagos State.
The late Chief Ibidapo, was the father-in-law to the Lagos Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tunji Bello.
The late Chief Ibidapo was buried about 3:19 pm. He died on April 3. He was 89.
Chief Ibidapo worked with Barclays Bank (now Union Bank Plc). He was married to Jadesola on February 15, 1951 and had eight children. He was born on November 7, 1928 into the family of late Pa Samuel Ibidapo Okunrinboye and Deborah Ibidapo (nee Ogunbadewa). He has royalty flowing in him from both the paternal and maternal sides. From the paternal side, he is part of the esteemed Olokubobade family of Owo. The Okunrinboye axis is just one of the five branches of the tree holding the Olokubobade royal pedigree.
Dignitaries, including wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode; Leader, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and mother of the Senate President, Morenike Saraki attended the funeral.
Others were the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, Victor Ifijeh; the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Ade Odunewu and Editor, Daily, Gbenga Omotoso; Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun and Femi Falana (SAN), among others.
The ceremony began last Wednesday with service of songs at the deceased home; while the wake was held at Eko Club in Surulere on Thursday.
At the burial service held at the African Church ArchCathedral Bethel, Broad Street, Lagos on Friday, the Bishop of Ife/Oshogbo Diocese of the African Church, Rt Rev IlesanmiAdekunle, in his sermon said Ibidapo died at a good old age, adding that he lived a good life.
The cleric said: “Baba lived a fulfilled life. I learnt a lot from him, there was never a dull moment in his life and I always went to him to get refreshed. He touched the lives of many; the wake was full of testimonials of the good life he lived. ”
The cleric described the late Ibidapo as a man who encouraged and supported all, adding that he benefited greatly from him.
All roads leading to Eko Club in Surulere, the venue of the reception, were filled as a result of the ceremony. It took the intervention of the various security officials, including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), to coordinate traffic. Many of the guests walked under the hot sun to the venue. They left their drivers to continue in the traffic. The hall was filled. The hall decoration was classy. It was a time to eat, dine and dance as the live band dished out songs to guests’ delight. Each of the the late Chief Ibidapo’s children had their session to dance, as they were joined by families and friends.
Fagbohun said the late Ibidapo was a man of character and integrity.”I thank God for the life he lived. He passed that character of integrity to his children and he lived a life that is worthy of emulation for this generation. Baba left resounding legacies of transparency and kindness. He was a good man and everyone has been saying good things about him,” the VC said.
Bello said the deceased was a father to him. ”To me, he was not a father in-law, he was my father. He was a great man and I learnt a lot from him. When he was alive, one would never know if he was rich or not. He was a simple man and for that reason, I admired him.
“He was a man that lived within his means and he taught us not to live outside what we can afford. He was a generous giver.
“Most of my children grew up with him; he took care of many people’s children and they are all doing fine today. There was no one who met him and would not have something to learn from him. He distinguished himself in all things and he always thought about the lives of others and he took good care of all his workers. I will miss him because there is no one to advise me again like he does. No one to tell me things the way they are,” he said.
Pa Ibidapo’s first child, Captain Samuel Ibidapo (rtd), a pilot, said his father was a strong man.” His life is worthy of emulation. He gave all his children the best education and we are all well to do in our various fields. He was a philanthropist. I will miss him for his fatherly advice. He was a man I could always go to anytime I needed advice. He taught us to be upright, devoted in our work and to save for the rainy day and not spend all your earnings.
Wife of Tunji Bello, Prof Ibiyemi, the sixth child of the deceased, said her father was loving and cared for the family.
“We never lacked anything. He made sure his children are educated and he encouraged us to aspire to be great. He encouraged us to excel in life and be able to stand on our own; he was a cheerful giver and a wonderful man.
“He taught us integrity, he taught us to know that we must never owe anybody. He taught us so many things about life and, all his words to us have made us who we are today.
“I will miss him a lot, for his love and generosity. He left legacies of integrity, love, truthfulness and to be a cheerful giver.”
A son in-law to the deceased, Bode Dawodu, a civil servant, said his father in-law was a generous man that has his family in mind.
He said: “He will always advise us; he took all of us in-laws as his own children. He is a giver and a lover of all. He was a man everyone can trust and hold on to.”