A cocoa merchant, Chief Rufus Afolabi Orunsundafosi, is dead. He died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State. He was 71.
The Owa of Idanre, Oba Fredrick Aroloye Gbolagunte IV, described his passage as a huge loss.
He said: “The late Orunsundafosi lived an exemplary life. One of his favourite sayings was “success cannot be defined only by a man’s achievement but how he equally helps others to rise beyond their expectations”. This saying was more or less his mantra and it was evident in the way he lived.
“His many acts of kindness and charity proved that his knowledgeable perception and vast understanding of life could not be over emphasised.”
The Ojomu of Idanre, Chief Agboola Akintan, said: “Asides being a philanthropist, Noble as he was fondly called, was also a staunch believer of hard work and perseverance, it is no wonder he had various successful businesses, accolades and awards.
“He was a humble community service-oriented fellow who believed in pragmatic approach to life. He was a humanist, visionary, source of inspiration to his generation and younger ones.”
His son, Adekunle, said: “He was an irreplaceable father, not only to his children, but to several others he took under his fatherly wings. Truly, a rare gem has been lost, and his untimely demise has struck his beloved community, Idanre, in sheer disbelieve and grief. He shall greatly be missed.”