The gruesome murder of my brother, Mr Michael Bamidele Obadimeji, remains unsolved by the Nigerian Police and the judiciary 14 years after the sad tragedy on his way to a prayer meeting at Ori Oke Agbara Nla, Lalupon, Iwo Road, Ibadan, on the evening of Saturday, 3 March 2012. No one could imagine the darkness and sadistic evil in our country despite our religiosity. To lose my brother in a most inhumane, barbaric death is shocking. Some of us, as his family, died too. We couldn’t protect him. His assassination reminds us of the costs of standing up for righteousness in government and religious institutions, especially in Nigeria. His murder shows how dark the world and the church are getting.

Mrs Bola Obadimeji, my brother’s wife of almost 30 years, aptly said, “Dele mi, your transition has been the greatest shock of my life. I keep on imagining it could be a dream. Your transparency, patience, patriotism, brilliance, philosophy, courage and honesty created envy and problems for your enemies. The principles you stood for, the legacies you left behind, will always linger in our hearts. As an adage says, war is the weapon of the cowardly.  Your enemies have done their worst, forgetting the fact that they have hastened you to secure eternity, but curse themselves after the order of Judas Iscariot.” Mrs Obadimeji groaned, “Had I known on that faithful evening, Saturday 3rd March, 2012, would be my last day to see you here on earth, I would not have allowed you to go out to meet with one of our church pastors who called you on that faithful day for the vigil on the mountain.”Bamidele’s tragic death shattered our hearts as a family, and only with Jesus’ mending is it possible. On his 70th posthumous birthday today, we wish we could see his cheeky smile and him saying I love you, Ayo one more time.

Good Friday is significant to us who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. The birth of a baby boy born to the family of Mr and Mrs Samuel Sunday Obadimeji of Iye- Ekiti on Good Friday, the 30th of March 1956, was very significant and a sign of the birth of a warrior.  Mr S. Obadimeji is a member of the Royal Family of Ado-Ekiti.  The baby boy was christened Michael Bamidele.Michael Bamidele’s education was marked by various challenges, but with self-determination and God’s benevolence, he triumphed. Young Bamidele attended the following primary schools: St. Peter C. A. C. Primary School, Ilawe Ekiti; St. Joseph C. A. C. Primary School, Odo-Ode Idanre; and Nusaraudeen Primary School, Mushin, Lagos.  He finished his primary school education in 1968.  He won many academic awards during his primary school days.  He proceeded to Eyemote Secondary Commercial School in 1969 and obtained his West African School Certificate in June 1973.  He was known to be a quiet, easy-going and truthful student.

Son of a housewife, Rachel Olusola, Michael Bamidele, through dint of hard work, grit, and courage, rose from obscurity to the limelight. He represented one of the best in his chosen profession. He obtained his G.C.E. Advanced Level through private tuition and gained admission to the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1978, where he studied Sociology and Anthropology.  He obtained his B.Sc. Degree Second Class Upper from the University in 1982.

He attended the University of Ibadan in 1986 and earned a master’s degree in Industrial and Labour Relations (MILR).  He was studying Law (LLB) at the Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) at the time of his tragic murder.

Elder Michael Bamidele Obadimeji fulfilled his part in the chain of God’s ongoing work for a new Nigeria when he joined the National Electric Power Authority in 1975 as an Account Clerk and voluntarily resigned his appointment in 1978 upon going to the University.  Michael did his National Youth Service in the old Oyo State.  He was the NYSC Liaison Officer for Iwo Central, Iwo North, and Iwo East Local Government Areas.  He received the NYSC State honours award at the end of the service year in 1983.

He rejoined the Authority as Pupil Personnel Officer in 1983.  He was promoted to the post of Personnel Officer in 1985 and Senior Personnel Officer in 1987.  Manager Personnel/Administration in 1998.  He rose to the rank of Principal Manager in June 2002.  He has headed the Human Resources Department at Shiroro Power Station, Niger State; the Asaba District in Delta State; the Computer Services Division; the Festac District in Lagos; and Jebba Power Station.  He was promoted to the post of Assistant General Manager (Human Resources and Administrative Services) in the Ibadan zone in July 2009. Michael Bamidele Obadimeji lived his life as a gift, unwrapped every day here on earth before God and humanity, and as he served the Authority diligently, he received letters of commendation from his employer. One of the best tests of leadership is the willingness and ability to train others. Michael Bamidele, as a selfless and hardworking hero, left a legacy of mentoring, coaching, dedication, commitment, and dependence upon God. He indeed made his mark in Lagos Island District, Ibadan, Ijora, Shiroro, and Jebba.

He joined the CIPMN in 1986 as an Associate member and became a full member in 2002.  He took the gospel of CIPMN to Niger State and, with the support of the CIPMN Secretariat in Lagos mid-wife the emergence of the CIPMN Niger State Branch in December 2007. The branch was inaugurated in August 2008. He was the Branch Chairman until his recent posting to Ibadan.  He was a fellow of the Institute and was a member of the Governing Council. He was equally a full member (MNIM) of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered).

He has attended many courses, both Local and International.  His hobbies included playing table tennis, listening to music and reading.

Michael Bamidele was a devoted, uncompromising Christian who believed in the power and efficacy of prayer; hence, he was torn in the flesh by corrupt workers. Having known what it was to be poor, he saw leadership as a tool of spiritual, social and labour transformation. He was a member of the Christ Apostolic Church denomination.  He was ordained as an Elder of C. A. C. Worldwide in July 1988.Michael Bamidele entered Holy Matrimony with his heartthrob, Rachael Bola, in 1984.  Bola, a serene and lovely wife, is a Deaconess and a natural homemaker.  The marriage is blessed with four children – Oluwatosin, Adefunke, Adedeji and Ayedemi.

Indeed, no one rules or lives forever except God, but Michael Bamidele’s 56-year sojourn here on earth is a powerful witness to the reality of God’s eternal love over the world. They say the good die young, I know it is true now you are gone. Just as Elijah went through the chariots of fire, you went through the cuts and gunshots of the wicked people on your way to commune with your God at Ori Oke Agbara Nla, Lalupon, Iwo Road, Ibadan, on the evening of Saturday, 3 March 2012. Indeed, what the enemies meant for evil for you is now your heavenly ladder to your eternal home, where there is no more strife and corruption. The portion of your killers is now the portion of Judas Iscariot, who sold out and betrayed his master, because the Bible says, there is no peace for the wicked.

Death is the ultimate deadline for leadership. My dear brother, Michael Bamidele, your death remains a pebble thrown into a pond, creating concentric circles that move outward, one upon another. The sun has really set in the afternoon; our consolation is that what the enemy meant for evil is for your good. We offered you back to the God who gave you to us for 56 years of love, joy, achievement, and walking closely with your God. We missed everything about you – your good sense of humour and your love of laughing.

Ayedemi, a special name given by my brother to his lastborn, aptly described her father as ‘the best father anyone could ever have.  The best father anyone could ever wish for.  When I wake up, you are standing right there asking what my dream was.  You’re the most precious citizen of Nigeria. You loved your country no matter what happened.  You’re always proud of Nigeria, believing that one day it will change for the better.  You’re the nicest human being I have ever met in the world.  Out of all humans, you’re always outstanding, with that beautiful prefect smile.  Nigeria was lucky to have you as a citizen, because you’re the kind of citizen every country wants. You are my role model.’

Indeed, the death of Michael Bamidele 14 years ago has not only filled us with his memories, but his 70th posthumous birthday provides us with a good opportunity in this Holy Week to reflect and number our days unto wisdom that we may die the death of the righteous (Numbers 23:10).

The death of Michael Bamidele 14years ago without any judicial breakthrough shows the decay in our government institutional system under the yoke of corruption and where money and power are more important than human life and ethical standard.

Remembering my brother, Michael Bamidele, at 70, and 14 years after his assassination, tells us that standing up boldly for what is right in the world has always come at great risk. But it’s a risk heaven endorses. Head or tail, we win. To live is Christ, to die standing up for Him is gain in eternity.