All roads lead to Ado – Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, come Friday, 12 September, 2025 as the world bids goodbye to
Prince Olawande Adebiyi, aka FLAMINGO MAGNETETE, the unforgetable, long – reigning Christ’s School, Ado – Ekiti goal tender of the ’60’s, as his mortal remains are committed to mother earth to join the Saints triumphant, commencing with a funeral service at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti.
As we bid farewell to our Prince Charming, the ‘Walking Bible’, we are reminded of the countless memories we shared. His presence in our lives was a gift, and though he’s gone, his legacy will, forever, live on in our hearts.
We met in the corridors of our secondary school – The School – bonding over shared laughter, tears, and adventures. He very quickly became more than just a classmate. To many of us he was a brother, a confidant; a friend.
Ever sartorially turned out, Wande’s infectious smile and unwavering optimism drew people to him, making him extremely popular amongst the entirety of the student population, seniors and juniors alike. But it was on the field of soccer that he shone the most, like a thousand roses.
As our school’s longest-reigning goalkeeper, he was a wall, a guardian, and a hero.
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His agility and reflexes inspired us all as he faced every match with unbendable determination. His passion for the game was contagious. We were always happy and proud to have him between the sticks, like the rock of gibraltar. His incredible saves will forever be etched in our memories.
Wande, without a scintilla of doubt, was an exceptional human being. He lifted our spirits with different jokes, especially as he never ceased to lace, even jokes, with copious biblical quotes.
Wande was a kind soul, ever willing to lend a helping hand, or a listening ear. His empathy, compassion, and generosity of heart inspired us all to be better versions of ourselves. Our departed friend was a shining example of what it means to live life with purpose and integrity.
As we reflect on his life, we’re reminded of the memories we shared. From laughter-filled moments in the class room, to watching him between the posts go through those intense football matches.
Irresistibly handsome,
Wande was always the center of attraction even though we had in our school team, many tantalising, and mesmerising, players – the likes of Cudjoe(Falayi), Acro Sambo (Adu), Lojokojo(Dipeolu), Obe(Faloye) and Ekpegrin, to mention a few.
At the personal level, I can never forget our London summer escapades when he would fly in from Yugoslavia and I, from Nigeria, to rendezvous at the home of my Uncle, his friend, Mr Francis ‘Leye Olaofe, also of blessed memory where, as University students without a care in the world, we usually spent the entire holiday, luxuriating in Brother Leye’s generosity before heading back to our separate destinations.
May the good Lord grant them eternal rest.
We continued where we left off in the U. K when he returned from overseas studies and linked up with me at the University of Ibadan where he tried to secure a job.
I remember once driving him all the way to Oyo town, to see the highly reverred Mr Justice Jide Olatawura of blessed memory, his Uncle in- law in an earlier marriage.
It was during this time I was probably the very first of his acquitances to whom he introduced Idowu, his -jewel of inestimable value, who would become the loving mother of his adorable, absolutely over -achieving children.
These are children who
all so incandescently resemble EYE’JA – his mother -(Oja being the name given to female princesses in Ekiti) – to whom he was an only child.
As his son, Adegoke , beautifully put it, Wande’s “life’s work was service; decades of it with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock;
fisheries and aquaculture were his craft, and excellence his language”. “Even in retirement, the nation called him back to serve as a trusted Aide to the Director- General of the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the U.N (FAO) and was, before his retirement, appointed Deputy Director, with the same steadfast heart”.
Wande’s story will continue to inspire us all while his memory will remind us to cherish every moment, to support one another, and to live, always with purpose.
Rest in peace, dear friend. May your soul find eternal peace, and may your memory inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves. We’ll miss you dearly, but we’ll keep your spirit alive in our hearts.
ADIEU.
For and on behalf of the Christ’s School, Ado – Ekiti, 59 -63 set.