Even the wealth of the wealthy ones offers them no shield against death. As it claims the commoner, so does it claim the affluent. This bitter nugget proved to be true as death visited the household of the Onibudos. Again, death has silenced the cadence of the day with the quiet of the night. It has claimed the life of Chief Ahmed Onibudo, a popular Lagos High Chief. Lagos, Nigeria’s expansive commercial nerve centre recently stood still as natives and visitors alike struggled with shock and the misery of losing one of the city and Nigeria’s veteran socialite.
At family meals spent wordlessly and prayer sessions observed mournfully in his wake, intense emotions spilled over as the crème of the country’s political elite and even Lagosians of the coastal city’s backwaters grieved and paid homage to an established socialite. The lamentations, among other things, reflect how a people’s champion impacted on lives and how his star would continue to shine, even in death. A few days ago, Nigeria’s high society was thrown into mourning over the death of Onibudo. Asipa Ahmed Onibudo was the Chairman of Peninsula Resort Limited, Budo Farms and Budo Specialist Hospital.
Family and friends converged penultimate Wednesday at the 8th day Fidau prayers held at the deceased’s Budo Court residence, Peninsula Resort drive, Ajiwe-Ajah, Lagos. The popular Lagos socialite’s final burial will hold after 40 days. Throughout his life, Onibudo retained his essential humility and a sense of perspective and proportion. He was as gracious as he was polite, and immensely liked.
Indeed, the Lagos in-crowd has been thrown into deep mourning over his death. Onibudo died at the ripe age of 77. Death may have ended his time with all but it cannot end the relationship all had with him.