Chief Adekunle Alli, the legendary Lagosian historian who some of us called double Chief, was a man of excellence with subtle , unobtrusive knowledge of the Lagosian universe .
He was a chronicler of our past with intimidating clarity about the Lagosian ancients and the present, proven in analytical immediacy, clarifying the cobwebs of the forgotten past with easy accessibility.
In my reckoning with the elders of Lagos knowledgeable in both oral and documented history , I will range him with the immortals like Monsuru Salawu Ado Donsunmu, my maternal grandfather, Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, my affable Uncle through the Ologunkutere lineage , the late Asiwaju of Ilado, Prince Bashiru Dosunmu, my mother’s elder brother.
He was a wonderful human being, full of humility , kind, decent, always eager to pass knowledge to the younger generation about the history of our beloved Lagos.
About 25 years ago when my wife was engaged in her PHD in UNILAG on Sociolinguistic Variation in Code Mixing and Code Switching in Central Lagos , he was of tremendous help in accessing rare documents and oral history to enhance her dissertation.
He was decent, affable, easily friendly, charming with that permanent smile of civility dappling his face. He was a library of his own, a personal encyclopedia of the Lagosian heritage.
He was proud of the Lagosian beginning, easily marshaling facts with effortless grace about the ways of our ancestors.
He enriched Eko Today why I was the General Manager 23 years ago with his weekly column about different aspects of Lagosian history and culture, thereby widening our readership and circulation figures.
I once invited him to Adabọ of Ẹyọ Ọba Alakẹtẹ Pupa , Ọkọlaba Ẹkun to deliver a speech about the origins of Ẹyọ. His delivery still rings with enriching knowledge and unforgettable deepening of the ebbing Lagosian past.
He was selfless, humble as humble could be. He went to the archives in Ibadan to supply me pictorial documentation and written evidence on why my neighborhood , Olowogbowo is signified with Ẹkun.
I owe this great man so much for his narrative preachment , his devotion and dedication to the preservation of our heritage.
He will be sorely missed wherever knowledge is treasured , wherever truth is appreciated, wherever honour and good faith are given a hearing. He has served his course. His mission is fulfilled. He passed on to glory at the ripe age of 89 . May the good Lord strengthen his family in this very challenging hour. Amen.
*Prince Uthman Shodipe-Dosunmu
Oloriekun of Olowogbowo
Apesinola Ọkọlaba Ẹkun.
