By Simbo Olorunfemi
It has been an exceedingly tough few weeks for us, Alumni of Federal Government College, Idoani, especially so for the Foundation sets.
It has been one sad turn of events after the other. Covid-19 has been unkind to us. In spite of it all, we have continued to proclaim that God is good.
Today, in Lagos, our friend, Brother and classmate with whom we spent quality days of innocence in the Boarding house of the Unity School, bonding, learning, dreaming will be laid to rest.
Femi Abegunde was one of our finest. Brilliant, yet humble. Testimonies abound of him as a gentle, kind and compassionate friend who was always there for others.
Family members testify to him having been a pillar and caring leader. A loving friend to his wife, a doting father and great friend, as well to his daughters. A wonderful friend to his siblings.
Colleagues, Mentees and others whose lives he touched have shared moving tributes about his impact in their lives.
In spite of his highly successful professional career and his busy schedule, he was always there for family and friends. We lost touch for a long while after school, but catching up with him at Delloite, many years after, it was as if we had only just come back from a school holiday, as he simply picked up from the days at Idoani.
Femi was quite accomplished. He had become a Partner at KPMG, where he started his career, before moving over to Deloitte as Partner, eventually rising to the position of Deputy Chairman of Deloitte in Africa and Head of Energy and resources for Deloitte in West Africa.
He was, indeed, one of our finests. . Years back, there was a leadership vacuum in the Alumni Association and I went along with another classmate to see him, to make a case for him to step forward and assume leadership of the Association, he declined, asking me instead to go for it, assuring me of his backing. I declined.
That was him. He was not one to crave for attention, he was content getting things done quietly, behind the scene as the unseen, but highly supportive hand.
Femi Abegunde was a great Ambassador for our school, he was one of our very best. So sad to lose him. He was a great guy.
May the Lord comfort his family, loved ones, friends and colleagues. May his great soul rest in peace.
