RIP Usifo Ijewere

Usifo

Usifo was a great brother to all of us. We have so many memories of Usifo both in London and in Nigeria. God has called his angel and only he knows why. Usifo has constantly strived to keep the Badore set of 94 together and helping all those around him and given back to so many he did not even know. Usifo will be greatly missed and will be in our hearts forever. Thank you Usifo for all what you have done and for your legacy. It is well in IJN Amen.

Sifo 2

 Tributes for Sifo:

Usifo, you were indeed a rare gem!! You had such a loving and caring spirit. You made sure you fished out as many people as possible out for the reunion which was a beautiful one. A lot of us you brought together again after 20yrs. You always wanted everybody happy. Even right there on the sick bed in so much pain you still had your usual attitude of always complementing and making everyone feel loved. You told me that sunday that even though you could not see me well as your vision was been affected that I was looking good. We will miss you dearly! But God knows best. The greatest consolation is to know that you are in a better place.
Adieu Usifo!!! ——Olamide Moore Adebayo.

 

Tribute to “My Guy”

“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory” 1 Corinthians 15:53-54

Usifo, was a very great guy with a very large, altruistic, giving and accommodating heart. Always checking up, always there, a missionary whose calling was simple, bringing people together and seeking peace. His show of anger was limited to “Guy take time o!”

A 24 year old friendship ended just like it started, just like that!

So here I am writing about My Guy with whom I shared a lot especially in the last few months.

My only consolation is that you lived a good, honest, giving and selfless life that assures only a blissful eternity.

My heartfelt condolences to Anino, a stalwart, who was kind enough to share Usifo with us all, Michael and Alex, who will grow to know their dad was a GREAT GUY and the wider Ijewere Family.

You have left a gaping hole. Your exemplary life will forever remain a beacon.

Sleep well my brother. —-Doyin Ogun (Classmate Model College, Badore) 

 

Usifo’s life was taken away from us too soon and it is hard to understand why tragic things like this happen to such good people.
As this is a question without an answer, I will not dwell on the loss of my friend, instead I am writing this in celebration of his life and to remember his remarkable personality
I met Usifo in January 1989 as JSS1 students of LSMC Badore, this was a small close-knit gathering of young students living away from home for the first time.
Being a boarding school, we all fast learned to be emotionally supportive and dependent on each other. My first impression of Usifo was one of a very humble boy who was never afraid to speak his mind and air his often well considered opinions.

After Badore, Usifo and I became even closer as a direct result of the successful efforts from him to bring us all together via social media and alumni meetings which he hosted. Over the last year I have engaged with Usifo almost every day sharing successes, laughter, pain, and life’s misfortune which makes this a more shocking and painful realisation.

Usifo was a happy, selfless, principled, people person and it is incredibly sad that his life ended so soon. I cannot put into words how much I will miss him.
Even though Sifo is gone, his memory will live on in all of us forever. Usifo I appreciate your friendship of 25 years, 10 months and 2 days. I will never forget you.  — Sola Adebisi

 

The bible says….’ There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother’….
Sifo was that friend who stood with and by many when even brothers would have turned back.
Gentle as a lamb and supportive as a great coach….Sifo waded into matters at his own risk in order to ensue peace amongst friends.
His humor was very disarming and his generosity brought tears of joy to eyes of the needy and convicted the hearts of the STINGY.
Thats the FRIEND I knew… the MAN I have come to respect and the BROTHER I will forever MISS.
From—- Osisi Ugonna Rapheal

 

Sifo! What a guy?!
I don’t know anyone else like you, Sifo. In all my educational years and all the schools I went to, there is no ex-school mate like you. You stood out, galvanized everyone’s preferences into a collective and acceptable choice. You showed love and care to all. An epitome of humility. No one was left down, because you will pull him/her up. I heard from you after such a long time, during a difficult day last year and you made my day. You had to go? Not you Sifo. Why you Sifo? I have pondered. You fulfilled your purpose, Sifo and to that I am grateful to God.
My brother, you will forever be in my heart. Anino, Alex and Michael will be comforted and favored by God at all times, because you have sown your seeds of love.
Sleep well Sifo!
—- Yvonne Victor-Olomu

 

Sifo, ‘a friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)’, ‘doing nothing for selfish purposes, but with humility thinking of others as better than oneself (Philippians 2:3)’. The bible was talking about you in those passages.  Even on your sick bed we wound up talking about me. Thank you for our ‘94’ reunion only you could have made it work. I remember fondly the name tag you made for me in ’94, you always did stuff like that to keep the friendship alive. Thank you for being there all through the years, your friendship meant the world to me.
Mummy and Daddy did an excellent job raising a man like you; you were my favourite example of a well-bred man. Thank you to Anino, Alex, MJ and the entire Ijewere clan for sharing you with us.
Farewell, my brother and friend, you were a great guy!
Adeniyi, Adeolu O. 
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.  Seize the day!!!

 

Dearest Sifo, I remember the first time I met you. It was some months before our wedding.
It seemed I had known you long before then cos Deolu always talked about you. He was upset about being ill and not being able to make it to your wedding.
Your living in Lekki axis not too far from my parents’ place also made it easy for him to check on you either on his way to see me or on his way back home or we’d stop by together.
I remember your camera – you always took fab pictures! You always rooted for my husband and if you were a lady I would probably have been jealous at your friendship J.
A woman always prays for her husband to have good friends who are a positive influence. You were definitely one of those. For that I am truly grateful.
You truly loved your wife and children and I am so pained you won’t be here to see the kids grow, or grow old with your dearest Anino.
I am eternally grateful you were a part of our lives and we have only great memories to remember you by. Adieu Sifo, heaven just gained an angel.
Regards —-Tolu Adeniyi

 

My Dear friend Sifo,Your passing has come as a complete shock. Only a few weeks ago you were sharing your family wedding and vacation pictures and smiling from cheek to cheek . That smiling  face is the memory we are going to keep of you. You will be deeply missed. We had an angel in our mist and we were completely oblivious to it.You were one that truly cared about others and took great pleasure in re-uniting others. Your departure is disheartening and extremely painful  but we are comforted in the knowledge that you are in heavenly place and pain free now.Your memory will forever remain with us. You have just happened to complete your race faster than the rest of us .Rest in peace dear friend knowing that you have fulfilled your main purpose. Till we meet again. God Bless You.—-MorayoYou are a rare gem. You always  called  me to improve and see the  bigger picture. You pushed for the 20th Anniversary and to the Glory of God it was a great success.   I appreciate you.  Will miss you dearly.

Rest in peace, no pain, now home free.

Till we meet at Jesus feet.  Bye for now.
—-GBOYEGA.ADEMILUYI

 

You’ve gone too soon Sifo.

Words can’t explain how I feel right now but I take solace in realising that you are in a better place.

I met you over 20 yrs ago and you’ve always been the bond that pulls all other friends together.

You are truly one of a kind and I can say with all certainty that I don’t know any other friend like you. You will be dearly missed BUT won’t be forgotten. I’ll always remember how were so warm to everyone and always being the sense of reasoning in situations.

I’ll hold dear some of the many values you’ve taught me – friendship bonds need to be kept intact and always worked on, how never to look down on anyone, how to always try your best to help people in need. You were an angel but I just didn’t know it.

Rest in peace my dear friend —- Yanju Epemolu

 

Sifo was a gem. His epitaph is the life he lived and not anything we put on his tombstone. He was a caring, considerate, loyal and giving friend. He was an all round good man. Stand up guy as we say. He derived great joy in getting his friends and family together and sometimes at great personal cost he made sure he put smiles on our faces. I am honoured to have been called a friend by him. Sifo, your Lagos, N1 and N2 miss you and we thank God for the privilege of having known you. Continue to rest in peace my dear friend and brother.

Eniola Olorunnimbe
‘LAGOS’

My dear brother,

My friendship with you started back in 1989 in  LSMC Badore up till your last day. We basically grew up together. Even though we were never in the same classroom, you were still very popular and hard to ignore 🙂 always pleasant to talk to and quite funny. Fast forward 20yr later after leaving Badore, you were still the same guy. Still kept contact even in the states, i remember the calls you made to me when you were in Howard and i in Chicago ( good times) and still kept contact when you moved back home after you graduated. We had  goals that we shared, bouncing ideas back and forth, the pains, the laughs, the jokes u shared all that with me. You pushed me when i needed it and vise versa.
Thank you for showing me the true value of friendship. Thank you for staying true to who you are. Thank you for not being selfish and sharing your love amongst friends. I am honored to call you my friend and privilege to have known you. You have touched so many people including myself in a positive way and for that, i am forever grateful. You are a great man, a humble soul, an angel. I know heaven is celebrating because God has called one of His home.  Forever my personal person, my friend,my ace, my road dawg , i will miss you  very much. Sleep well my brother, till we meet again. Love you.
—-Adanna Oji- Lawal

 

Selfless you are

Faithful you are

Loving you are

Caring you are

Forgiving you are

Precious you are

Without you, life is unbearable

God grant us the strength

God grant you eternal REST.

Till we meet

Unforgettable you are.

— —Meshileya Timothy 

 

Sleep vanished instantly from my eyes when I just started a good sleep after a tough almost sleepless 5days. its hard for me to take.

He called me some 7years ago when he stumbled on my number that is 13years after we left Badore. I could feel the joy radiating in his voice and i was equally happy connecting to a long time school mate.

He looked for me when reunion was approaching he was dedicated at what he did and had a large heart. He is such a great guy. Rest in peace Sifo

—-Runsewe olufunmilayo

 

Sifo, where do I start? It’s impossible to sum up an exemplary life as yours in a few words but I have to summon the courage to say my final farewell after 25 years of active friendship from our badore boarding school days. It’s with a very heavy heart I write this eulogy. You were an inspiration and defender of justice. You epitomized humility and integrity, you were always the one to make peace when there were arguments, your humility knew no bounds and I am eternally honored to have known you throughout our formative teenage years up to adulthood. I miss your bruhahaha bruhehehe laughter, the end of term nights soaking garium without sugar and our last conversation together less than two weeks ago before your untimely demise where you were already soliciting my daughter for your son. It is painful indeed to know you have left us but I know you are in a much better place now in heaven.  Never felt so much pain and tears since the passing of my own dad but your friendship was invaluable. I shall keep your flag flying and support your family to the best of my ability. Farewell to a fantastic friend till we meet again.
Yours Sincerely
Chuka Thomas Eseanobi

How do U define selflessness? How do U define loyalty? How do U define a friendship so strong and deep it spanned 26 years even though most of that time was spent apart? How do U define a total dedication to bringing and keeping people together regardless of distance,  situation or circumstance? How do U define a rare gem? A diamond only half polished?  A one in a million soul? One name. One person. Usifo Ijewere. We love U Brother. Words can’t express our feeling of lose. Adieu my Brother. Rest well my friend. See U on the other side.–Rume

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