“The thinker dies, but his thoughts are beyond the reach of destruction. Men are mortal, but ideas are immortal” – Richard George Adams.

One of the main challenges of our political development and electoral process is the widespread scepticism about our electoral system and personnel. Many civil servants and electoral officers have earned well-deserved name-calling and reputations of corruption and dishonour. Papa Sir Elkanah Adeoye, Owoniyi Akintade, as a catalyst and thinker, was also professionally counter cultural. He lives on as a model of a civil servant with a principled and competent legacy. The trajectory of Papa Akintade’s sojourn on earth, especially his carer legacy, reminds us that civil servants can be corrupt-free, and our electoral process can be transparent and violence-free.

Pa Akintade was born on Monday, 8th January 1940, and a native of Ode Ajagba, Irele Local Government, Ondo State. Pa Akintade lived the whole meaning of his name, ‘the zeal of God,’ giving many people the space to be their person. He passed on to glory on Thursday, 26th October 2023. He was a Nigerian public administrator who served at various times as Director of the civil service. Baba, as a caring mentor, time and again, puts the needs of others ahead of his; a father who believes in the dignity of life, a leader who led by example, and whose life was exemplary even as a former Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti/Ondo, Abia, and Plateau States.

I was privileged to know him in his joyful and tragic times. In all his life experiences, his trust in God remained unwavering. A Methodist to the core. He loved Methodist hymns. As a kingdom treasurer, his home churches at Ajagba, Okitipupa, and Akure never lacks his benevolence. Papa was a lover of tradition and culture, a man of the people and a generous philanthropist. Papa’s words were his bond. His diligence was painstaking, and his commitment to doing what is right was unwavering. His humility was disarming. His courage was unshaken. As a Knight of John Wesley and a leader in the Methodist Cathedral, Okitipupa and Methodist Cathedral, Gbogi, Akure, Papa’s love for all around him was unmistakable and stems from his love for Jesus Christ.

Papa Akintade loved education and gave all his children the best opportunity, love, care, and support to fulfil their potential. As a community leader, he remains a benefactor to many individuals and groups. Nigeria and, most significantly, Ondo State would greatly miss this extraordinary individual who raised the transparency of the electoral process to the national front burner. God be with the family left behind.

Let us prayerfully sing the hymn by Sarah Doudney, Sleep on beloved, as we reflect on the hope and joy of resurrection when the twilight gloom be over past.

1 Sleep on, beloved, sleep, and take thy rest;
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour’s breast;
We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best–
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!

2 Calm is thy slumber as an infant’s sleep;
But thou shalt wake no more to toil and weep:
Thine is a perfect rest, secure and deep–
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!

3 Until the shadows from this earth are cast,
Until He gathers in His sheaves at last,
Until the twilight gloom be over past–
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!

4 Until the Easter glory lights the skies,
Until the dead in Jesus shall arise,
And He shall come, but not in lowly guise–
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!