Exit of a Nice Man: Amusan O. Ogundana
Iwoke up that fateful morning (February 4, 2016) without any inkling of what was to come. I said my prayers and dashed out to court early enough with the hope of avoiding the early morning traffic reminiscent of Lagos. Upon getting to court, Judgment was not ready and we took a date. I proceeded to the Central Bank Headquarters with the intention of seeing my friend Mr. Ogundana to discuss certain issues and share some jokes with him. After scaling the usual security checks at the CBN, I was informed by the receptionist that there was no one in the legal department. Without thinking further, I retorted and suggested that I suspected they all had gone for a hearing or defence at the National Assembly and she quickly gave a nod to my averment, (foolish me). I left the CBN and proceeded to the NDIC. On getting to the NDIC I requested to see the Director of the Legal Department, I was informed that he was not in the office that the Director of the Legal Department of the CBN had passed on. I looked at the lady sternly and asked which Director? She repeated herself. Still in doubt, I sought for further clarification. I called Mr. Zubby the Head of Litigation at NDIC and he cleared my doubts informing me that he had just left the morgue. At this point, the essence of my fruitless sojourn at the CBN was made manifest. Oh what a life! My friend, who hugely shaped my views on life, work, and many other pertinent subjects, has passed away. Just like that. No signs whatsoever, no goodbyes. Like a fairytale and as the sunset and the night air drew closer, the terrible news became a reality. What a loss. I have never met someone as equally impressive, caring, smart and intelligent as Mr. Ogundana. A man who from a humble background was very focused and obtained a BSC in Economics and against all odds, went back to read Law and rose meritoriously to the very peak of his career as Legal Adviser / Director Legal Services, Central Bank of Nigeria. I learnt a great deal from his views, perspectives and his wealth of knowledge as an Economist and a seasoned Lawyer.
We say that the hour of death cannot be forecast, but when we say this, we imagine that our hour is placed in an obscure and distant future. It never occurs to us that it has any connection with the day already begun or that death could arrive soon. Sorrow fills my heart this moment, a sorrow that is deep and personal. Mr. Ogundana has closed the door of life and departed from us. Our lives will be empty in the areas he radiated like light in the young morning’s ray. I had known Mr. Ogundana for quite some time and regardless of the age disparity between us, age was not a bar to his friendship. He related freely across board.
His word was his bond as he would not concede to what he could not do. Mr. Ogundana was driven by the passion to do the right thing always and this was evident as he had reached the peak of his career both as a seasoned Economist and a Distinguished Lawyer. To wit, his rising through the fold to become the Legal Adviser / Director Legal of the Central Bank of Nigeria. His outstanding contributions to development of the CBN, the Legal Profession, his community nay our dear country Nigeria, will transcend the test of time. Mr. Ogundana was a very peaceful and modest man. This fact was made evident upon my arrival for his interment at his home at Kota-Ekiti. As opposed to what is obtainable in Nigeria of today and for men of his status, he lived in a modest bungalow.
While still in utter shock as to the vicissitudes of life and the way in which our Muslim brethren lay their own to rest (which to me further) exposed the reality of the emptiness and nothingness of life, I watched his family, friends, colleagues and his domestic staff, in particular his driver who jostled back and forth and took charge at every point. I said to his Local Government Chairman who sat beside me, that this was a good man. The test of true love is not in the physical but in the spiritual. His people loved him even at death. True to the quote that “The value of man should be seen in what areas he gives and not in what he is able to receive”, Mr. Ogundana was nice to everyone. Mr. Ogundana was a very liberal man who hated to see people suffer.
Regardless of his status, there was nothing flashy or pompous about him except his decision to be caring, humble, kind, gentle and offer selfless service throughout his public life. This reminds me of his saying, Jude “I am satisfied, I am happy and contented”. Today a great man is no more, but during his time here on earth, he contributed his quota to the betterment of mankind. He died an accomplished man. The throng of indigent persons who whaled and cried beyond control at his burial was a testament of the exceptional tales of his philanthropy and how he touched so many lives and assisted them to get by. He was dependable, reliable, hardworking and very respectful. Mr. Ogundana was a devout Muslim, loving husband, caring father and supportive colleague. A traditional man to the core who loved his pounded yam and if possible would have it three times in a day. He loved reading, dancing, travelling and listening to music. Inter alia, he was a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria.
While I sympathise with the entire staff and management of the CBN for the irreparable loss of one of its most valuable brains, it is only apposite that his legacies are preserved by the CBN and Mr. Ogundana is well immortalised by naming one of its institutions after him.
Nonetheless, Mr. Ogundana, you will be fondly missed by family, colleagues, and friends. And as our brethren will say: OLORUN MAJE KARI IRU EYI MOO (AMIN!)
God rest your kind soul Sir.
Jude Obiorah Ezeobi