Going by the testimonies of those who knew and related closely with him, Elder (Engr.) Olufunmilayo Sunday Makinde was a man whose heart was with the people; a man who went on a limb for others; a man who made humanity his constituency.
Sundo, as he was fondly called, was up and about the Thursday preceding his demise. His itinerary for that day was reminiscent of the life he led. He reached out to several people that day, holding meetings with friends, associates and family members before retiring home in the evening. Throughout that day, he was just being himself, encouraging people, challenging them and lending a voice, a hand or a shoulder as the case might be to those who required the same. He was said to have been hale and hearty even on Thursday evening, only for his passing to be announced early on Friday. He was full of life one moment and stone-dead the next. That speaks of the temporariness of life.
Humans are birds of passage that cannot abide on earth forever. At a point, each of us has to bow out. We are like mist; vivacious and vibrant a moment, lifeless and inert the next.
For Engr Sunday Makinde, Friday, January 24, 2025, was exit time. He was only 65 years of age. The suddenness of his departure and the shortness of his span accentuated the pain of his loss. His death left many in shock and disbelief. Not until his remains were lowered into the grave on Friday, February 7, 2025, did many come to terms with the reality of his transition. Though Elder Makinde didn’t really live long, solace is found in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “It is not the length of life that matters, but the depth of life.”
The brevity of his life might have caused pain but its depth also spurred joy. Sundo’s life was deep because of its quality, its impact and its memories.
Death can rob a man of life but it cannot steal his memories. Memory is the successor of life. After death, what is left is memory. Memory, though intangible, is indestructible. So, relatives, friends, and associates of the deceased have the memory of the dead to hold on to. But the type of memory is a function of the impact the dead had on them.
For Engr Olufunmilayo Sunday Makinde, it is a treasured memory, cherished by family, friends and associates.
Reflecting on the impact of his brother on his life, Elder Makinde’s younger brother and Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Olumuyiwa Makinde, described him as a courageous, compassionate and considerate person.
He wrote: “Your life was a testament to strength, resilience and wisdom. You lived through triumphs and challenges, and through it all, you remained a beacon of hope, kindness, and compassion. Your guidance, counsel, and love kept the family together even after our parents’ demise.
“I will forever cherish the memories of our laughter, our stories, our quiet moments together and the days we disagreed to agree for a greater cause. Your presence was a comforting reassurance, a haven, and a reminder of the importance of family love and tradition.”
For Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, the late Elder Makinde symbolized inspiration, integrity and industry. The Governor wrote about his brother thus:
“You were my example; you showed me that it was possible to achieve my dreams if I remained focused. You broadened my horizons with your own exploits and influenced my decision to get my first degree before joining the military. Unlike you, I was unsuccessful in that bid to join the military afterwards.
“Sundo, you have left behind a legacy of hard work and showed me that honesty is, in fact, the best policy as you were a straight-talking man of principle. You were candid and I could always tell where I stood with you. You were the voice of reason in our family, a true firstborn – the binder.”
For Pastor Omololu Makinde, his departed brother was a pillar of support. According to him, “I’ll never forget the countless times you were there for me, offering a listening ear, a comforting word, or a helping hand. Your selflessness, kindness, and generosity inspired me to be a better person.”
Mrs Iyabo Muyiwa described her brother as a source of comfort.
“Brother Sunday, You were more than family – you were a part of me. From childhood laughter to shared dreams and quiet moments, you were always there, a constant presence that made life brighter. Though you’re no longer with us, your memory will live on in every smile, every story, and every moment we share.
“I find comfort in knowing that your love, kindness, and strength have left an imprint on all of us. You may be gone from this world, but in my heart, you’ll never be far away.”
Elder Makinde’s children also had nice things to say about their Dad.
The duo of Dr. (Ms.) Misty Olufunmike Makinde and Barr (Ms.) Samara Abigail Makinde described their father as a man who invested his life in others.
In their tribute, they wrote: “It is a blessing to recognize how significantly he contributed to those around him and how highly he is regarded. We are grateful for the time we shared with him and will forever cherish his memory. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit will live on in our hearts and in the lives he touched.”
For Adedotun Olufisayo Makinde, her Dad was her model.
She stated: “I am writing this tribute with tear-filled eyes and a heavy heart, but the Lord comforts me daily with thoughts of the life you have lived, a life worthy of emulation. I believe above all things that you are in the Lord’s bosom and I only ask for you to watch over your family.”
To Busayo Makinde, her Dad was her guiding light.
She wrote: “You were more than just a father; you were a guiding light and a shelter in the storm. Your unwavering support, unconditional love, and selfless sacrifices made me feel seen, heard, and valued.
“Your infectious laugh and your warm smile lit up the darkest of rooms. Your kindness, generosity, and compassion inspired me to be a better person.”
Mrs Deborah Makinde described her late father-in-law as a beacon of hope.
Her words: “You’ve been more than just a father-in-law to me; you’ve been a mentor, a friend, and a constant source of inspiration. Your unwavering support, guidance, and love have made a profound impact on my life.
“Your strength, resilience, and determination have been a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty.
“Your ability to balance kindness with firmness has taught me valuable lessons about leadership and character.
“Your life experiences, insights, and values have been a treasure trove of wisdom for me. Your stories, anecdotes, and advice have helped shape my perspective, broaden my horizons, and deepen my understanding of the world.”
The message of Engr Sunday Makinde’s life is that the most important thing in life is not wealth, power or position; it is to positively affect the other person. Man is a social animal. The Divine made him so to make it possible for him to impact positively on other members of the society, not to extort or exact upon them. The one who affects others positively is the one who can achieve significance, which is superior to success. Success is cheap, anybody can accomplish it. All it requires is for one to hit a set target. Significance is more difficult because it is helping others to accomplish their target probably when you are still struggling with yours. But that really is what endears one genuinely to others. Success or failure in helping people accomplish their goals determines the kind of memory they will have of you.
This is not about going to heaven or hell; it is about being alive in people’s minds after you are gone. The tragedy of life is to live without making any positive impact; it is to be forgotten the moment one is dead or to be remembered with anguish or regret. The remedy is to, as Engr Sunday Makinde did, deliberately live to positively impact other people’s lives; it is to live such that others can trace their success to your contribution.
We are here today and will be gone tomorrow. So, we must of necessity do the best that we can do today so that our memory will spark love and admiration, not hatred and disgust when we expire. It is said that to live in the hearts of those we love is not to die. The only thing that makes that possible is the impact we make while we live. Those who live a life of impact never really die; they only continue their existence in another realm.
Governor Seyi Makinde in his final tribute at the burial service, which held last Friday at Bishop Akinyele Memorial Anglican Church, Iwo Road, Ibadan, fixed his gaze on the casket containing the remains of his brother as he attested to the impact of the man lying therein. He said: “My brother, Sundo, was a good man, a good brother, a good husband and a good father. He was not a perfect man and nobody is. But he was indeed and in truth an officer and a gentle man. So, I have faith like Martha that he would rise on the last day and we will see again.”
The congregation concurred with the Governor by intoning “Amen!”
Dr Olanrewaju is the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor.
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