Ademokoya: Still A Diamond Even In Death. By Ishola Gbenga

From you oh Lord we come and unto you we shall return at your appointed time. John Donne, an English poet once said "death of everyone diminishes me because I am involved in humanity". But in actually fact, I am more being diminished and terribly devastated over the sudden departure of Chief Mrs. Yemi Ademokoya Agboola because I know she is more needed here than the heavens does. Forgive me oh God.

Indeed, life is about memories! It is the only thing we are left with when flesh and spirit departs the earthly plane and we can do no more than remember the life of the departed, through times and memories shared, especially their deeds in their lifetime.

Affirming that you were really no more after the news of your sudden demise got me was so painful, and the world seemed to me as if it had stood still for a few minutes. It was like that, I suppose because we, mortals, are always guilty of thinking we can live forever and thus forgetting that everyday is a bonus from God. Ademokoya was a woman I admire a great deal, and now they say she is gone. Gone to where? Just like that? It is painful, shocking and sad. Yemi Ademokoya why? What happened? Ademokoya was above anything else experienced and talented in her field of call. She had retired from the civil service of Kwara state but never look tired. She died a thoroughbred professional and she earned everyone's respect.

Whichever way we see the whole situation, I will continue to live in denial that this never happened. Maybe I have only been sleeping. Hopefully, I will wake up from this nightmare. That is a dream I suppose. Little wonder when beggars die, there are no comets seen. The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. Those were the words of that famous and my favorite poet, Williams Shakespeare. I agree completely with him.

Popularly known to all and sundry as Yemi Ademokoya. She was one of our finest diamonds in the media industry. And as things stand, it will amount to an understatement to say an Amazon is gone. An elephant has fallen. The queen and the anchor of those brilliant and objective radio public engagements programmes such as Gbelegbo, Akoto Ogbon, Ela Loro and others, has gone on a journey into eternity. Even the oracle must die one day and leave behind his bags of definitions. That is the fate of Yemi Ademokoya.

Looking back, it is a known fact that people die everyday, but all of them affirm for us the goodness in humanity like Yemi Ademokoya. I am glad our path crossed. Times and circumstance decide who we meet in life. Our hearts decide who we want to retain in our lives, and people's behavior determined whether we want them to remain in our memories or not. Ademokoya for me, is the type that comes once in century. Yes!

Death may have ended her life but not the relationships she had built with many over the years. And because of this alone, a lot of people who knew her are understandably still going through grief, denial, depression and acceptance. She was a woman of valour. Strength and dignity were her garb. And also, her gift and her legacy. Painful end indeed.

Looking back, I came to Radio Kwara (arguably the best and leading radio station with ardent listeners in town) pretty young in 2009 for my Industrial Training (IT). I completed the exercise and went back to school that same year. When I was finally done in 2010, I thought I had established a fine relationship with Radio Kwara, at least to some extent and I felt I could leverage on that. At that point in life, the available option left for one to avoid staying idle was to go back to Radio Kwara to see if things would work out, which I did and one of those who received, groomed and put me through was late Chief Mrs Yemi Ademokoya.

It is safe to say Ademokoya had in her own little way broken many glass ceilings in promotion of human rights and talents through many of her both live and recorded radio programmes, most of which were for the purpose of positive interventions in the public space. Her demise remains painful and shocking, but there's no time for a lengthy farewell.

In retrospect, it was the beginning of a venture that offered no hope nor clue as to where the next meal would be coming from for a young guy like me. On that faithful morning when I appeared in Radio Kwara, Ademokoya had sent for me to see her! On getting to her office, she had remarked "I understand you want to start working with us?". "Yes ma!" I replied. "So, what if we don't have money to start paying you for now?" She added. "That won't be a problem ma". I responded. Whenever, I reflect on that brief conversation that ensued between myself and Ademokoya, I always consider it as an accidic test that I didn't fail. 

Without further delay, Ademokoya in her capacity as the then Head of Unit approved my stay and Mrs, Nimota Olu Ajayi now the current Manager Programmes (MP), took it over from there by attaching me to other senior professionals who also groomed and tutored me. That was not all, but part of how my journalism career began in Radio Kwara, specifically under the tutelage of late Yemi Ademokoya Agboola. However, the rest as they say is now history.

It will be an understatement to say Ademokoya will be surely missed. Maybe by share providence, if someone like me is opportuned to write a biography in the future, such a book will not be complete without mentioning the leading roles played by Ademokoya whose faith, hard work and dedication to her job as a veteran broadcaster, offered a true meaning to her existence for which she demonstrated the fact that when our beliefs are invested in something greater than self, we will indeed find fulfilment in life.

Chief Ademokoya was such a kindhearted woman who believe in talent discovery and encourage you on what you can do with your talent to positively impact the world. To the glory of God, I believe she came, she saw and she actually conquered by leaving her marks for everyone to see. The lesson we can all learn I suppose is that, religious and faith can never be a part-time conviction for the true believer, especially when there is a need for people to practice what they preach.

In retrospect, someone like me would continue to cherish the memories of Ademokoya for providing for me several opportunities and the platforms to showcase what I can do. Iya, as many of us fondly call her, had given me several opportunities such as having the integrity to stay before the crowd and anchor big events as the Master of Ceremony (MC) and she had never regretted pushing me to the fore whenever she does that. What about calling on phone to offer professional guides? What about calling you to order whenever one is going astray? Iya don't keep malice. She would surely be missed by all, especially for her kindheartedness.

And I ask, how many people (including this writer) can we truly identify with their faith in words and indeeds? That we can talk about Ademokoya today is because she lived her life in a manner that put no one in doubt that there was no compromise when it comes to the matter of her faith and job.

As we therefore morn the late asset to humanity cum illustrious daughter of Ilesha land, let us reflect on her legacies of simplicity, professionalism and a form of self respect that did not at anytime seek self advertisement. Unfortunately, this enduring virtues are conspicuously absent in the official profile of most people today.

As she has therefore, commenced the beginning of her everlasting journey, my condolences therefore goes to the management and staff the Kwara State Broadcasting Cooperation, Radio Kwara, National League of Veteran Journalists (NELVEJ), the media industry at large, friends, fans, family members and other well wishers.

Thank you for everything Ademokoya. Thank you also for putting up a good fight. Thank God for helping to you to win the race. What awaits you now I am sure is that glorious crown. Rest on Oyeyemi Ademokoya Agboola. 

Till we meet to part no more.

Adieu!

Ishola Gbenga writes from Ilorin.