On Friday, July 1, 2011, I came back from a one week trip. It was already getting late. There was an urge to visit Dr. Adeyeoluwa, unfailingly, that very day, if only for a few minutes. I was embarking on a longer journey the following day and if I didn’t see him that day it would have to wait until my return. It couldn’t wait!
We spent over two hours together moving from one topic to another. Moni, his wife and Yejide, his daughter came in a couple of times during our discussions but never once interrupted us. Dara came in too and left us alone. For the first time since we were married we had such an exclusive chat. We went along memory lane; how we became friends; one or two disagreements we had but never talked about and how we made up; we talked about our children; his work as an Anglican priest and the medical activities; the book he had written and the new one on the way; my plans for an Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Hall of Fame and an endowment fund; his books; my activities; our hopes for Nigeria. We talked about everything we both cherished as if we were in a hurry to get it all off our chest.
I first met Tunde Adeyefa in Loyola College, Ibadan in 1961. He was the youngest in our class but none of us knew this until much later because he was relatively big. We had attributed size with age. He was always among the top five in our class. It was a very close class and Tunde and others used to joke that all those who came after the tenth position were just mere escorts and helped to reduce their fees! This realistic joke spurred all of us into action as none wanted to be in the rear. It was no wonder that we all passed the School Certificate examinations in Grades 1 and II. Tunde had one of the best results in the country. And when the time came for Higher School (HSC), everyone wanted to do science. Thus the Arts Class was shut down. Tunde was Deputy Senior Prefect in HSC. The Senior Prefect in Loyola College in those days had great powers and could discipline his own classmates. So it was a mark of exemplary character and scholarship.
Tunde was ambivalent as to whether he wanted to read Engineering or Medicine and that propelled him to do four major subjects, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths/Further Maths. The rest of us did just three. He passed all and very well too. He eventually chose to read Medicine like most of the members of the class. We had about twenty medical doctors from the class of 61/67. Out of these, Tunde and Wole Ogunseyinde (now Venerable) later became Anglican priests.
Babatunde remained at the top not only at Loyola College but also at the University of Ibadan Medical School. In our first year in UI, three of us, Loyolans, were among the ten short-listed for University Scholarship. Tunde came first at the special examination and got the prestigious title of a University Scholar. It wasn’t all work and no play. In the second year, Tunde along with me and some others joined the prestigious Klobb 41. He became the Deputy Mayor of the Klobb in his second year, a sign that he was acceptable to all. We had great times at parties together; made many friends and studied very hard. On one occasion, Tunde saw this pretty girl and called my attention to her. I had one look and said, “Tunde, that is your wife. Go after her.” That pretty girl is Mrs Moni Adeyeoluwa. About six months later, while watching TV with Tunde by my side, in the Clinical Students’ Hostel Common room, the picture of a pretty girl flashed past. I told Tunde, “I think I have seen that face before.” He predicted and rightly too, “Gboyega that is your wife.” It took several months after that incident before I met her. Suffice it to say that Tunde was right. I did just like him I never looked back. When I got married in 1974, Tunde was my Best man and quite naturally I proposed the toast of Tunde and Moni at their wedding on December 27, 1975.
We were also together in UCH during our residency days and both of us went to England about the same time. He opted for Public Health while I chose ophthalmology. During this period we became even closer and the family met frequently especially on our birthdays which we never forgot. The strain of work and his transfer to Osogbo with the creation of Osun state eventually reduced the frequency of our interactions until he retired and came back to Ibadan.
On July1, as we discussed, I noticed that Tunde’s face had a glow of satisfaction. He was satisfied with his wife and children; his work and his role as an Anglican priest. We even talked about death and one of our colleagues who passed away recently. I am glad the parting memory of the last few hours we spent together are some of the happiest we ever had; short but loaded with positive and prayerful ideas and thoughts. There were no idle talks and no gossips. There was just no time for such on July 1. I didn't know it was parting time! I shall always treasure the mental picture of that relaxed and radiant glow on his face and the love we shared - memories are made of these.


Something most unusual happened to me on the day he died. I arrived in Chicago late on Monday July 4. My colleague who met me at the airport told me the meeting scheduled for the next day July 5 was to hold immediately. So we went from the airport to the meeting. My tummy was heavy and I couldn’t eat anything. The following day July 5, was very rough for me. I stayed in all day. I didn’t leave my room at all. I thought I was going to die. Just about midnight, I received an email from my daughter in Lagos, “Dad, please call, I have a sad message for you.” Before I could reply, my phone which had shown no signal sprung to life. It was one of our classmates, Professor Femi Adelowo. I picked it but the line cut off before I could answer. Then an e-mail from yet another classmate Dr. Rex Ajayi announced that Tunde had died. As I read it over and over again, Doja, Tunde’s son rang from South Africa confirming the passing away of his father, my friend of 51years!
Now I believe that when Tunde was breathing his last he was sending a message to me. I am happy I had quality time with him before leaving Nigeria. I wouldn't have been able to live with it if he had left without saying farewell. We actually said farewell with the hope of meeting again on my return. The Good Lord knew all along that our meeting would be in the next world.
Death has come when all eyes are looking forward to his getting out of the plaster cast in another three weeks. God knows best and has called him to himself. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and all. We thank God for his life, entrust all to Him and rest in His ever faithful love.
May his soul rest in peace. Amen