Tribute Page

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Tributes

From Ademide (Granddaughter)

 

Grandpa,

 

I never thought that when I saw you in December would be the last time I saw you here on earth. Every single one of my childhood memories of you were with you sitting at the desk in your study while we played under it - I was so convinced that you never left that room (except to go to the studio), and had some sort of super power where you never needed any sleep. It was from that desk that you administered the orders for boxes of Kit Kat to be produced (I mean BOXES - Nestle’s annual revenue would have felt it every time you missed a trip to London). It was also from your study desk that you made sure all of our pool parties were fully catered for. I still can never eat ketchup, because I overdosed on it at those pool parties.

 

Of course as you got older, you eventually moved from the study desk. But you never lost your wit. You always had something funny to say, some of which have made it into my own catalogue. You would always say about going to London. “London isn’t going anywhere, even if you don’t go for 20 years the bus 27 will always run the same route”; about innovation “Oyinbo. - Igba keji olorun niwan - they’re always creating something new” and one of my favourites “Half education is worse than none - because you think you know when you have no clue”.

 

Today, I’ll put my #fitfam lifestyle on hold and have one last Kit Kat for you.

 

You will be missed!!!

 

Ademide Adefarasin

 

From Babatunde (Grandson)

 

It’s difficult to grieve the loss of a loved one.

In the loss of someone special, words are not enough to ease the pain of sorrow.

Life is a blessing and everyone leaves memories once they have passed.

We share in the comfort that our grandfather is no longer suffering.

Thank you for peace, prayers and blessings.

 

Tunde Phillips

From Eyitayo (Grandson)

 

A grandfather has a special place within his family.

I don’t think of him as gone, I think of him as living in the hearts he touched.

He has given us a legacy. These are the days to sit, reflect and remember. Life is a blessing, your memory a treasure.

May we find peace in your eternal rest

From Ademola and Yewande (Grandson and wife)

 

Your loss Grandpa is indeed very painful but you ran a good race. Worthy of great celebration. You raised and left behind my mother as well as uncles that are all reflections of the perfect father that you were - caring, generous and supportive.

 

I have many great memories of you, especially at Elias Close.

From ALL of our birthday parties to stealing from your endless supply of KitKat. Growing up a little, I now understand my mum’s need to keep inventory of absolutely everything and Uncle Olaiya’s mastery of hosting.

 

I love you very much Grandpa and as you rest in perfect peace, may

God bless your memory forever.

 

Ademola + Yewande Adefarasin

From Adeolu (Grandson)

 

Grandpa, The Fish, Kit Kat Grandpa, Boxer, Photographer extraordinaire. You lived your life fully, achieved great things and took it all in your stride. Effortlessly gracious, kind and the source of our sweet tooth. Kit Kat was the welcome mat to your study where you would be found without a shadow of a doubt every single time we’d visit. A strong fighter, warrior, both gentle and

firm.

Never forgotten.

 

Love

Adeolu Adefarasin

From Ladipo (Grandson)

 

There is power in Love. There is greater power in the word of God. Rejoice and celebrate for we know where he is.

 

Love

Ladipo Phillips

From Ololade (Granddaughter)

 

When I think about my first memorable moment with my Grandfather, I could not have been anything more than a 7 year old. A dessert place had just opened up down the road from where we lived and I remember disturbing my dad to treat me to some waffles, but I got a resounding NO !

 

Luckily for me, he was talking to my grandpa at the time who must have heard me whining in the background. Shortly after “reporting” my dad, I found myself enjoying my waffles. At that age, I remember feeling very loved by him. That love never faded as he always concerned himself with everything about me, from my grades to my new hairstyle.

 

Love you Grandpa, you will always be in my heart.

 

Lolade Phillips

From Oyindamola (Granddaughter)

 

Grandpa,

 

I miss you so dearly. I didn’t spend a lot of time with you but I know you would have been so much. Something I really remember is how every time I would come and you wouldn’t remember me. I found that very amusing and I loved that about you.

Every time we took a picture together, you would also have such a friendly smile that was the best of all. Thank you for being the kindest and sweetest grandpa ever.

 

Your loving granddaughter,

 

Hadassah Oyindamola Phillips

From Fola (Son)

 

As you all very well know I am the white sheep in a family of black ones. Likethe rest of my siblings, I remember my father telling me that only 2 people in the world will never lie to you - your father and mother.

I shunned some of my opportunities to build a closer relationship with him, to my cost. My joy is that I made my peace with him last year and enjoyed precious moments of helping him in his frailty. My greater joy was knowing that he’d forgiven my shortcomings and I definitely felt all the love I never felt in my youth

 

Daddy, no matter what, you were very very good and kind in the way you knew best. Father rest in peace; I definitely know that you will.

Bye Daddy

From Laolu (Daughter)

 

Daddy!!

My dad, my hero!!

Apart from my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ he was the first man to love me unconditionally.

 

What can I say? My dad made sure I had everything I ever needed while I was growing up - material, emotional, financial. He exposed me to the world and all it had to offer and told me I could be whoever I wanted to be. My father defended and protected me in every way he could and I knew I could go to him if I was ever in any kind of trouble. But luckily I didn’t get into trouble!!! Well.....once I overstretched on my credit card while I was in school and he went straight to the bank, paid it off and told them to take their credit card from me....damaged my credit rating for years!!

 

My dad was very witty and funny. Full of proverbs for every situation. All the Yoruba proverbs I know I learnt from him. One of the last ones he shared with me just a few days before he went to be with Lord was “ti ino o ba ku, pano pano o le lo”. Well he has finished his race and the fire brigade has retreated. He has been called home to Rest

The last few years have not been easy. Even though he was bed ridden his mind was as sharp as I have always known it and he knew exactly how much he had in his bank account!! He was a very strong man and bore his challenges with courage. He never gave up on himself and certainly never gave up on any of us.

 

I will truly miss our times together chatting and talking about anything and everything. We loved to watch football and tennis together. If there was a match late at night he would call me to remind me to watch the match and vice versa.

 

The Presidential debates in the US in the last year were evenings he looked forward to and we would discuss them the next day. O how I will miss all those mornings....even though I used to say to him “what is your own with who wins the elections in the US”. Well they have come and gone and the US is still standing!

 

Tuesday was always a date!!

He really couldn’t understand what had become of Nigeria and certainly not the naira. He always said 10 naira when he actually meant 1 thousand!!! Well, all that doesn’t matter now. He is walking on the streets of gold, no longer bed ridden and full of joy. There is so much I can recall and recount but it would take me days and lots of paper but I carry them all in my heart.

 

His trips on the MV Auriel with his fried stew in the Cow & Gate tin for

preservation. His trip on the Argonaut aircraft to England in 1948.

Trying to unlock his front door in the winter and just couldn’t get his hand out of his pocket because it was so cold and a policeman had to come and take it out of his pocket and let him in. He told me about how he stood in Trafalgar Square and cried the day I was born....hope the joy he felt that day endured for the next 60 years. The days in Dolphin Square when he would eat his apples and Edam cheese.

 

Send you downstairs to buy anything he saw advertised on TV.... I didn’t mind because he never asked for his change!! No expense was too much for a child or for education. While my children were growing up and going to school I came to appreciate how much of a sacrifice he made. All 7 of us had an excellent education and at some point we were all in school abroad. I just cannot get my head around that now. I would ask him how he did it and he would say he wore the same shirt for years but I didn’t notice. I am eternally grateful for that value that you did not compromise on. We had to have everything you did not have.

 

We all have a sweet tooth thanks to daddy!! I still remember the boxes of

Smarties he would buy for me to take to school on my birthday. There were always chocolates around him....tins and tins of them. My habit of buying things and stocking up as if war were about to break out soon and scarcity was inevitable came from daddy.

 

My love of dogs was also acquired from my dad. We always had dogs. Daddy loved his dogs so much he would break down and cry when any of his dogs died...It showed his softer side!!!

I could go on and on but this is just a tribute to a man I loved and who loved me.

 

Adieu daddy!!

 

We WILL meet again at the Feet of the Master and great shall be our rejoicing Laolu

From Mrs. Ibidun Allison (Niece)

 

My dear Uncle Jackie,

Or Uncle Enesi or Uncle Eniola; the last two names were those that I heard your siblings, one of them my mother call you as I was growing up. But let me stick with Jackie Phillips as that is the name by which all came to know you.

 

The first time I met you was in 1947 when you came to Sapele in Delta state where I lived with my parents, Mr. & Mrs. Folakan. You came for a boxing tournament in which you were a contestant. I had never watched a live boxing match before then so i was horrified to see two adults knocking each other so hard. Thank God you won the fight. I later asked my mother, your sister, why you were a boxer and she told me that you were actually a photographer but loved boxing as a hobby.

 

The second time we met was when you brought Miss Oluremi Ogunbiyi to Sapele to introduce her to my parents as your wife to be. That was the proper thing to do since you grew up under their watch in Sapele. When you got to Lagosfrom the age of four in warri and attended primary school there before you went to Lagos, staying at times with my paternal aunt, Mrs. Sopeju, at no. 15 Catholic Mission Street.

And thus began your life in Lagos and Miss Oluremi Ogunbiyi became Mrs. Oluremi Phillips and the rest is history. It was during this visit to Sapele that you suggested to my parents that I come to Lagos for my secondary education. You told us about this special school for girls known as Holy Child College. Trusting your judgement, they gave their consent. I was very happy that I was going to Lagos. I left Sapele in 1953, leaving my parents to sort out how to pay the fees for this special school. Thank God they did and I remain forever grateful.

 

Staying with you in Lagos was another ball game. There I was, a twelve year old little girl from a small town Sapele, living with a very strict uncle. You were indeed a disciplinarian! You would not even allow me to go to the market since you had a cook and a housekeeper. And I was anxious to see and know Lagos. You only allowed me to go to church on Sundays and attend school activities because I was a day student in my first year. However, the golden rule was that, wherever I went out, I must be back home before the street lights came on, and usually they came on at 7pm prompt. There was no NEPA then, we had ECN , the Electric Corporation of Nigeria and they were effective.

 

In my second year I went into the boarding house but spent most of my holidays in Lagos, and believe me, the rules at home had not changed and did not change, even after I left Holy Child Ccollege. I complained to friends of my uncle and my parents and they all said that uncle was that strict because he wanted to protect me. I must say that among all my siblings, I was your favourite. You used to say, ‘Ha, ibidun okin puro,sugbon o stubborn. O mo amala ati fufu ro dada’

 

You were very fond of your children. Sometimes you would bathe them yourself and get them ready for school. You pampered them but did not spoil them. You made sure that they all had the opportunity of having a good education.

 

You used to say that that was all you had to give them.

A good education! We however parted ways briefly when I went to the UK for further studies.

 

Nonetheless, I visited you whenever you came to the UK. When I returned to Nigeria, I had become Mrs. Ibidun Allison and we remained close. Your children sometimes ask me why I am so close to you their father. My answer always was that you are my uncle and you brought me to Lagos. Glory be to God. ‘Que sera,sera’. I am thankful.

 

Uncle, you had class! You always dressed well and looked good. A professional photographer with distinction. One just needed to see you do what you knew how to do best – taking pictures. If you never went to his studio for a photo session, you missed something as those whom he photographed, whatever the occasion, can attest to. You excelled so well in your profession that you became the official photographer of almost all the heads of state of our country, Nigeria and their cabinet, from the President of our First Republic, Nnamdi Azikiwe and our first Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa to our military head of state, General Badamasi Babangida. Well done uncle!

 

But everything that has a beginning must have an end. So God decided to slow you down a few years back so that you could pause and ponder on all your life and prepare yourself to meet your maker. How lucky you are! Not many people are that lucky. And when the time was right, he quietly took you.

 

I pray that your soul rest in peace. Amen!. Adieu Uncle Jackie! Adieu Papa Fola!

 

Your niece,

Ibidun Allison (a.k.a. Amebo)

From Pastor Wale (Son-in-law)

 

Tribute to a Titan - Mr Jackie Phillips

There is so much to be said about my father-in-law, Mr Jackie Phillips, he was a pace setter in the world of photography and had a very accomplished career having photographed a wide variety of people ranging from King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth the II to every Nigerian head of state. He was also an avid sportsman, who in the latter part of his life was more of an observer than a participant, but only a few people know that he became our national Bantam Weight Champion.

 

My tribute to him is as his son-in-law. My first real interaction with him was

when I went to ask for Laolu’s hand in marriage. I entered his office with

fear and trepidation but I left not just with a sense of relief, but on cloud nine because I knew that not only had he accepted me, he had taken to me.

 

He was always kind and generous to me and I can’t recall any occasion on which he scolded me or had any sharp words, in fact he often called on me to mediate whenever he had issues with his daughter or any other member of the family.

 

Jackie Phillips was a strong man and I speak not just of his physique, but of his mental and emotional strength. I saw that strength firsthand when I was among those who broke the news of his daughter Bimbo’s demise. He shed a tear, naturally, but I saw his strength of character behind that tear. Bimbo’s passing was very painful, but he took it with godly grace.

To my children he was ‘Grandpa’, especially since their other grandpa had

passed when the oldest of them was just two years old. He loved all his

grandchildren and in these last two weeks had asked for each of them by name.

 

He was in his element when surrounded by people, especially his grandchildren and always kept them spell bound as he related stories about his travels around the world.

 

As his only son-in-law I felt quite at home with him, he was kind, he was

courteous, and as his friends would testify he was fiercely loyal.

The family has lost a titan, he will surely be missed, but we have the assurance that he rests in the bosom of our Lord.

 

Wale Adefarasin, Son-in-law.

From Lola, Mounya and Yeelen (Granddaughters)

 

Dear Grandpa,

It is strange to say goodbye to someone we will never see again.

We wish we could see much more of you.

 

Rest in peace,

Lola, Mounya and Yeelen

From Adegboyega Abidoye (long time staff & companion)

 

Tribute to my Boss, Mentor, Role model, in all, my Father!

Baba as I fondly called him was and will remain the dearest Boss, Mentor, Role model and Father I ever had. He made everyone feel special and they always thought they were the best. He might have started from humble beginnings but through hard work, he reached the top. Baba was my “Passport” to all the places I never would have dreamed of going, and I met people I could only read or hear about. God knew that you did not deserve the pain that awaited you, had you stayed on. The intellectual world would talk about your greatness but I will sing your love of family, friends and all around you. There is darkness in my life now but God doesn’t do things by mistake. In due course we will understand and so I will not cry again because you are no more; I will smile because of the beautiful memories I have of you. Proverb 10:7 says “the memory of a good person is a blessing” I will hold on to that forever.

 

Nevertheless, I know by His grace, the beam in the legacy you left will continue burning. Sleep on Baba, good night Baba, adieu Baba and find peace with God even as you sleep!

 

Adegboyega L. Abidoye

From Abiola (Son)

 

Light & shadow: a tribute to my father

I affirm my father’s life! There is no need of validation. The provenance of our treasured moments is private and ought to remain so. All I have now are memories and I shall jealously treasure them, guard them, be guarded with them and be guided by them!

 

When we pay tribute, we bear witness. I bear witness that my father was the instrument by which my siblings and I received nourishment, protection and promotion. He loved and cared for his children unerringly, and acted decisively to rein in any child that drifted from the pursuit of a good education. Replanting me in Ikire – in the flash of an eye – was an experience like no other and the one that defined my going forward! And he was right! From then onwards, reading cum schooling was no longer a source of concern in my life but rather something I warmly embraced. Thank you daddy!

 

Daddy taught us continuously, educating us at school and at home. He regularly deployed deep and arcane Yoruba sayings and proverbs to further illuminate a lesson in a matter at hand. He never raised his hand against his children, being at the wrong end of his tongue more than sufficed to check any continued

aberration. And when the burden of educating seven children weighed heavier than normal, he never let on.

He loved swimming, boxing, horse racing, football and tennis – both table and lawn. He never stopped informing himself on current affairs, local and global, and was always eager to engage. He was a man of good taste, chivalrous at all times and impeccably polite; woe betide you if you forgot your pleases and thank yous!

If you had asked him for a succinct explanation of photography, a profession he practiced for over 50 years, he would have said it is about controlling light and shadow. Now, we bask in his light and are shaded by his shadow.

 

So, let me cry! If tears are so precious they are rarely shed, who better may I shed mine for.

 

So, let me cry!

Fare thee well daddy!

From Táyọ (Son)

 

Once when I was in secondary school I was sitting waiting anxiously for my father with my long shopping list of all the “essential” things I would need for the next school term. He walked into the room, looked at me, and said “You have come thinking it is time to rip off this old man again.” He was, of course, perfectly correct as I knew that I had grossly over-inflated my list. He sat down opposite me and looked at the designer logo on my shirt and asked “How much did you pay for that shirt?” I was totally caught off guard and I dared not give him the true answer as I knew that would automatically mean a severe reduction in my allowance. Before I could think of an answer he said “why pay some ridiculous amount so some French man can stick his name on your chest

when a Marks & Spencer’s shirt will be perfectly alright.” At the time I thought to myself that “this old man really doesn’t understand anything.” It was later in life that I came to appreciate what he meant. My father believed in quality.

 

But what he understood very well was that the best quality did not always automatically translate into the highest price. He would be happy to pay any amount for something that really was the finest quality of its kind.

 

He would also be perfectly happy to have the least expensive if it served its purpose perfectly. This ethos was one that extended to every aspect of his life, both at work and play. Quality is what matters, which is one of the reasons why he became an icon in his profession, because he would never cut corners on giving his clients the best quality service that always exceeded their expectations. This is an ethos that I have tried to imbibe in my own daily life.

And unsurprisingly it has served me very well.

 

As I went through life I would often hear people refer to my father as a legend, an icon, and other epithets signifying someone of a highly elevated status.

 

The idea of icons and legends always convey distance and aloofness, but to me he was simply daddy. Daddy who emanated warmth and wanted me to be happy. He wasn’t some unapproachable distant person. Of course he had his boundaries and rules that were clearly laid out, but he did everything to make me comfortable and give me the best life that any child could possibly wish for.

 

As he embarks on his final journey I will greatly miss his warm broad smile. His quick wit. The glint of excitement in his eye. His regaling anecdotes. And stories of the many lessons learnt over a long and full life.

 

Adieu daddy and très bon voyage. As you journey on you shall forever be in my thoughts.

 

táyọ 

From Sumbo (Granddaughter)

 

One quite day, the angels came and took grandfather far away. Now that your soul is at rest and your body free from pain, your new life would seem like heaven,

 

Always in our thoughts no matter where we go, always in our hearts because we love you. Loving you today, yesterday and always from here to eternity

 

Sumbo Phillips

From Muhammed Umar (Cousin)

 

Tribute to Uncle Jackie Enesi Phillips

 

From Him we come and to Him we shall return. Death is a fearful debt that must be paid by every living being. Death is therefore an inevitable end, which must come at an appointed time. When it does, it separates loved ones, it cuts one’s vision, brings sadness, sorrow, and bitterness. It has no mercy, no pity and no shame.

 

Our father, uncle, brother, Mr. Jackie Enesi Phillips has left us. Though we celebrate a life well spent, we also mourn his demise. As nature has made it such that no matter how old one’s relation is we never wish they die, I was shocked when Biola, his son called me on Sunday 2nd April that we have lost daddy. My first reaction was that, who are we to question the will of the Almighty? Incidentally, I was with Uncle on the 23rd of February 2017 and it felt like one of my usual visits. Each time I came visiting from home, Uncle takes his time to ask after my family, my building project and all extended relatives back home. He was a great human being. He will take me down memory lane.

 

He was always excited to tell me stories of his good old days back home and always wanted to know if some of the historical areas he recalled in Ebira land and Lokoja were preserved. I have so many fond memories with him that I will cherish forever.

The last time he visited home was in June 1986 when he came for the burial of his father Pa Ibrahim Ohieku. Those who came for the burial need not be told before recognizing him as the son of the late father. He was a carbon copy of his father; In fact you will think they were identical twins.

 

Uncle Jackie, was not just an uncle, but a personal friend. He used to advise me to always be patient, honest and hard working…in his words; these are the ingredients for success. Uncle was a very hard working person and very meticulous. This made it difficult for him to be satisfied by anyone.

 

Uncle loved education and also believed in following ones passion in life. I still recall an interview he granted Guardian newspaper published on Saturday June 16th, 2001. He said, “Photography is my life. It is my darling. With photography, I can create things, it has opened my horizon, it has exposed me,

 

it has challenged me, it has made me, given me light, given me life and made me comfortable”. Photography was indeed his passion. It was all he had lived for and he enjoyed doing what he knew how to do best. His only regret was that he never actualized his dream of establishing a school of photography.

 

Regardless, Uncle lived a successful life. He was a great family man and will be missed by all of us. May Almighty God forgive him his sins and may his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace. May we all find comfort in his memory.

 

Alh. Mohammed Umar

Cousin, Okene, Kogi State.

From Folake (Daughter-in-law)

 

I remember the very first time I met my father-in-law; it was when Biola brought me to meet his father. Immediately upon setting eyes on him, I told myself that this was what my husband was going to look like in a few decades.

 

He was charming, engaging and always curious about all that was happening around him, in particular the goings on in Lagos and Nigerian politics. His mind was so acute and his wit so sharp that one had to be on your toes when speaking with him.

 

He will be greatly missed and his household will not be the same without him.

 

Rest in peace!

From Kehinde (Daughter-in-law)

 

I have so many wonderful memories of you Grandpa! You always made me feel so special! You treated me like a daughter from day one. I remember the day I met you; you were very warm and welcomed me into the family with open arms!

 

I love the way your face would light up whenever you saw me. In all the years that I knew you, you never got angry with me, not even once!

You took a keen interest in my work and its progress, always asking questions and urging me on, even promising to visit soon. News about every progress I made always gladdened your heart and you never failed to show it.

 

You cared about the well being of my family and would always ask after every one of them whenever you saw me.

 

You loved your grand children and sometimes gave me tips on raising them! Girls were special to you. I recall when you first met our daughter Oyindamola; you carried her and exclaimed “ Omo lo se se bi yi “.

 

Grandpa, I am truly grateful to God for almost 30 years of knowing you. You loved me for me! I love you but God loves you best. I am confident that you are in a better place.

 

Rest In Peace darling Grandpa.

 

Your daughter

Kehinde Phillips

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RIP Jackie Phillips: June 6th, 1924 - April 2nd, 2017