Molade Okoya-Thomas laid to rest in Lagos

The body of the late Molade Okoya-Thomas was on Friday laid to rest at the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos, where his remains was lowered into the grave at 5.49 p.m.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many eminent personalities were on hand to pay their last respect to the late philanthropist.

Earlier, at a service at Holy Cross Cathedral, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos, Rt. Rev. John Aniagwu advised the congregation to wipe their tears and celebrate the departed soul.

Aniagwu, who is the Parish Priest of St Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja and Vicar General, Archdiocese of Lagos, said that the deceased lived a good life before God and man.

"We should be thanking God becauae he is the source, giver and author of the deceased. We should be celebrating a fulfilled life that he lived.

"Okoya-Thomas made his life worth celebrating, God gave him the existence he lived and he made judicious use of it.

"He served the lord till his very last minute and he blessed people that he had contact with positively," he said.

NAN reports that dignitaries that were at the service include Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, as well as a former governor Of Lagos, Sen. Bola Tinubu and his wife.

A U.S. based table tennis player, ToyinOkenla-Ojeaga, who was discovered at an edition of the annual Asoju-Oba competition, told NAN that the deceased made her who she is today.

She said that the competition was the bedrock to her stardom.

'' I played my very first tournament at the Asoju-Oba and I can never forget that day.

''Daddy gave me the opportunity for me to define myself and be discovered and from there my life changed," she said.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princes Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said that she was at programme to honour a great man.

She said that the late Okoya-Thomas was a reliable, responsible, caring father to both his biological and adopted children.

Mr Olorunibe Mamora, an All Progressives Congress chieftain, said that he was a great man who lived a fulfilled life.

'' He was a man of honour and integrity and graced all my occasions while alive; the least I can do is to attend his funeral, ''he said

Some others who spoke with NAN also said that the contributions of the Late Molade Okoya-Thomas to the development of table tennis in the country would not be forgotten.

According to them, he touched players’ lives through the annual Asoju Oba Championship.

Babatunde Obisanya, former national and African champion, said that Okoya-Thomas’ contribution to the development of the game in the country was unequalled.

``He was the only individual who solely sponsored a championship for unbroken 46 years.

``There has not been any championship in Nigerian that has run for that record time, either sponsored by corporate bodies or government.

``Asoju-Oba is one championship that all players look forward to. I won the championship many times, so I know how it feels to win it as a player.

``Some players got their first cars by winning the championship; not used cars but brand new cars were given as star prize for some of the editions, ’’ he said.

Obisanya, who was a national table tennis coach, said Okoya -Thomas was a pillar of sports in Nigeria, whose legacy would never be forgotten.

"His name will be on the lips of everyone associated with table tennis in Nigeria because he has touched so many lives.

`` There is virtually no prominent table tennis person in Nigeria who has not passed through him at one point or the other.

"I am also privileged to have had contact with him and the world of Sports would miss him dearly.

"May his rest in peace," Obisanya said.

On his part, Olabanji Oladapo, Vice President of Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), said the late Okoya-Thomas was a sportsman everyone in table tennis in Nigeria and Africa would miss.

"He was a father to all and would be greatly missed because of his benevolence and willingness to help the world of sports.

"The fact that he touched many families and turned the sport around, placing emphasis on youth development through tennis, and also impacting lives through it, cannot be forgotten.

`` He would be greatly missed, may he rest in peace," Oladapo said.

His son, Deji, said that the family would continue the sponsorship of Asoju-Oba championship.

``The championship will not die with him, we all know he loved the game, most importantly, he used the sponsorship of the championship to touch people’s lives.

``So, as a family, we will continue to sponsor the championships,’’ he said.

The president, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Mr Sam Egbuchunam, described the deceased as ``a man in whom I am well pleased’’.

He said that without the late Okoya-Thomas’ unconditional endorsement and support, he would not have attained his present position.

``He is a detribalised Nigerian who looks beyond ethnicity and believes in putting the right person in a position.

``'He accorded me the opportunity to prove my momentum,'' he said.

Egbuchunam said that he was pleased that in the last 10 years, the deceased found happiness in the club’s achievements.

``I didn't disappoint baba since I assumed duty, but rather, put more smiles on his face.

``Baba came here at least three times a week to relax, unwind and render his wealth of advice on how to strive better,'' he said.

Meanwhile, a traditional leader in Lagos, Olawumi Gasper, also described the late philanthropist as a father who was always ready to render advice to him.

He said that the late Okoya-Thomas was one person who would always proffer solutions on any issue that concerned anyone.

``He took people’s problems like his and did not look down on anyone for whatsoever reason.

``I am still in shock about his death and I would greatly miss him for his fatherly role,’’ he said

A beauty icon, Opral Benson said that the late Okoya-Thomas was a unique man who lived his life for humanity.

She said that the deceased impacted the lives of many positively and left several legacies behind.

``He was a very good man, filled with life, jovial and a good listener who placed others’ priority over his, “she said.

Okoya-Thomas died on Feb. 2, at the age of 79.