Sad day as Samod Biobaku speaks with family and colleagues of late Otunba Jobifele

Ooni, Ojora, others mourn Jobi Fele

By Samod Biobaku

Prominent Nigerians have continued to mourn the passing of late industrialist and former Chairman of Oodua Investment Company Limited, Otunba Mohammed Aliu Jobi-Fele.

Yesterday, the Ooni of Ife, Otunba Adekunle Ojora and other prominent Nigerians expressed condolence to the family of the deceased.

Jobi-Fele who would have been 71 on May 20 this year passed away in Abuja shortly after he made a few calls to members of his family and a few of his employees from his hotel room where he was lodged.

When Simply Samad visited the late businessman’s Regency Hall and Imperial Hall a day after his demise, both structures situated on Jobi-Fele Road named after the late industrialist remained deserted save the presence of the guards stationed at the entrances.

However, a condolence register was opened at his Regency Exclusive Hotel in Lagos as friends, family, business partner and employees registered their commiseration.

In his condolence message, the Ooni of Ife described Jobi-Fele’s death as a real shock as he prayed the departed to Rest in Peace.

Similarly, the Otunba and Erelu, Oodua, Adekunle Ojora made it clear that the late chairman would be missed by all. “We and many Nigerians have lost a dedicated business and patriotic Nigerian who we would undoubtedly miss. The Almighty will forever reward him for his kindness and service to his nation.”

The Chairman, Orimolade Residents Association, Engineer Tunji Ladipo also prayed for the departed. “We all miss you. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.”

Speaking with Simply Samad, one of Jobi-Fele’s secretaries, Taiwo Ogungbami reminisced on the kind of life her late employer lives as well as the kind of person he was.

“Chief was kind and generous and he was a father to us all. He always took up our problems as if they were his own. He believed so much in the family structure and was a pillar to everyone. He was our Iroko tree.”

Commenting on how she received the news, Ogungbemi noted that she was at home when the news reached her. “His death was very sudden. It felt like an April Fool’s Day joke. He never kept a grudge. I’ve been with him for almost two years and he was a terrific man. He was the kind of man who would sit you down and ask you about your husband and whether you were happy or not. He would even give you money to fix your hair or money to buy new clothes if you were not looking tide. He hated lies and was very straight-forward and lovely. He would be greatly missed.”