HOW TOP DESIGNER, DATA OKORODUDU’S HUSBAND DIED
Amidst tears from relations, friends and colleagues, the remains of Jeye Okorodudu, husband of top Lagos designer, Data Okorodudu was laid to rest in Lagos. Data runs one of Nigeria’s most sought after fashion label, JD7, known for her avant garde and exotic pieces. The burial ceremony was preceded by a Service of Songs which took place on Monday January 10, 2010 at the St Georges Primary School, Falomo,Ikoyi, Lagos. This was followed by a Funeral Mass which took place on Tuesday January 12, 2010 at the Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos and interment followed immediately at the Vault Private Cemetry, Ikoyi, Lagos. In this report, City People Fashion Editor, BOLA AKINBOADE brings to you the blow by blow details of the burial ceremony.
THE MAN CALLED JEYE OKORODUDU
Data Okorodudu husband, Jeye is the son of Late Ileola and Alfred Omaretseyionla Esimajuorono Okorodudu. He spent his early life in Benin and Warri where he had his early education. On completion of his secondary education, he proceeded to Federal Government College, Ilorin for his Advanced Level Certificate. A graduate of Economics from the University of Lagos (1981), Jeye continued to develop himself throughout his life. He was a member of the Nigerian Economic Society and a Phil Pugsley Patron of the JCI Foundation. An entrepreneur par excellence, Jeye was a philanthropist, a great mentor and an unrelenting tutor. His career started as a youth corper when he was Special Assistant to the then Economic Adviser to the President of Nigeria (1981- 1982). The Chairman of Adata Group of Companies, Jeye was always ready to embrace change and apply innovative ideas. His exceptional vision and creativity affected a phenomenal growth of the Adata Group. He was future oriented and created job opportunities for several people. He had business interest ranging from Oil and Gas, Telecommunication to Banking. He was one of the directors of NNB International Bank. Jeye was also actively committed to the Lagos Energy project before his demise at age 52.
WHY JEYE OKORODUDU IS LOVED BY ALL
From all indications, the death of Jeye Okorodudu came as a rude shock to a lot of people as most of his families, friends colleagues have not yet come to terms with the death of this great achiever. And to underline the respect the man commands among his peers, his burial ceremony drew in an appreciable crowd of well-wishers who came from far and near to pay their last respect to the departed. The magnitude of the attendees who made it to the event and some of the remarks and tributes that was made concerning him made it very it obvious that he was a man that was loved by all. Jeye lived an exceptional life. He was extremely generous, giving himself, his time, his resources, not only to his immediate and extended family but to anyone who crossed his path. His philosophy was, “When anyone walks into my space, I first ask God what He would like me to do for the person, and whatever He ministered to me, I did”. He did all of these with absolute humility and without fanfare. Even on his sickbed, Jeye continued to solve people’s problem as best as he could. The rich presence of people from different ethnic backgrounds proved quite a befitting honor for this great achiever.
HIS LAST DAYS
Jeye was a devoted and a dedicated Roman Catholic. He made Christ his cornerstone of his daily living and in his last year on earth; he would communicate with his creator ever so often. He was a strong willed man and had an unwavering faith even till death. Even though he had to battle with a terminal ailment, Leukemia (Cancer of the blood) and had been at the Hammersmith Hospital, London since last year March, 2010, he was unruffled. He was his good self all through, bubbling with life and determined to live. He had firm values and he often told his wife and children that he did not believe in mourning and the mulling that came with death. He always said that death was an end that had to come and all tears that accompany death was uncalled for, as death was inevitable. He continued to put everyone before himself in his struggle against cancer with utmost gratitude, appreciation and trust. Even as he bravely battled this disease, he never lost his outstanding sense of humor. His courage, spirit and will during this difficult time were indomitable .He was so optimistic that there would be a window of opportunity for him to be temporary discharge from the hospital sometimes in December, 2010 to come home for Christmas. He fought a great fight till the last, but he gave up the ghost on December 17, 2010.
HOW HE WAS BURIED
The funeral rite of Jeye Okorodudu commenced on Monday January 10, 2010 with a Service of Songs which took place at St Georges Primary School, Falomo, Lagos. It was well attended by families, friends, colleagues and other sympathizers. At the wake keeping, most of the guests were clad in black t-shirts which had a picture of Jeye on it and an inscription, “Gone too soon”. It was a mixture of strong emotion and grief. The funeral rite was followed by a Funeral Mass on Tueday January, 11, 2010 which took place at the Church Assumption, Falomo, Lagos. While internment followed immediately at the Vault Primate Cemetry, Ikoyi where his final remains was laid to rest. The Ebony Funeral Services, one of the leading Funeral outfit in the country was in charge of his casket and other funeral services. And another of his dying wishes was that the Pal bearer should not throw up his casket as they normally do. Indeed it was a solemn gathering and many could not hold back their tears as they wept profusely even the occasion demanded a song. For them, worlds alone could not express the sorrow they felt that day.
THE OKORODUDUS RALLIED ROUND DATA
Jeye is the 7th child of his parent and their family is a close knitted one. And over the years, he has been a strong tower to his brothers and sisters and very loved by all, as they all have one touching story to say about Jeye. He was a brother that any family member would be blessed with. This was reflected in the tribute they all wrote about him in the event brochure. They described him as one who has a large heart, an embodiment of generosity and kindness, always eager to please, always ready to add value in any situation and always there for everyone. And despite their grief and sorrow, and still in shock over his death, they all rallied round his wife, Data and Children as they stood by them and comfort them.
DATA OKORODUDU’S APPEARANCE DAMPENED THE MOOD
One of the things Data Okorodudu tried to achieve was to fulfill the dying wishes of her husband which he told them not to cry or mourn for him. She tried to be strong even though it wasn’t easy for her. Unknown to a lot of people, Jeye was her first love as they met during her undergraduate’s days at the University of Lagos and have shared a strong bond ever since then. Their union is blessed with 3 lovely children- Ileola, Omatseye and Omasan. Jeye also played a major role in contributing to the success of her fashion label and has been very supportive right from inception. But Data was off the scene as she spent most of her time in the London hospital where her husband was hospitalized. At the burial, her appearance further dampened the mood and made people’s spirits very low as a lot of people felt her pains and agony mere looking at her. She wore a look of someone who had been through a lot .People could not help shedding a tear or two for her as she carried on in a way in which her husband wanted her. Though she couldn’t contain it any longer by the time her husband’s body was finally laid to rest at the Vaults Private Cemetery, Ikoyi, as she also broke down into tears.
NDIDI OBIOHA, PLANNED THE EVENT
The responsibility to plan and coordinate the event was saddled on Lagos based event manager and Enthyst Boss, Ndidi Obioha by Data Okorodudu. She has been the official event planner to the family right from when their daughter, Ileola got married some years back to when Data also celebrated her 10th year anniversary of her fashion label, JD7. She planned this 2 day funeral ceremony as usual with all her best expertise and skill. She gave in her best to make sure that everything went on smoothly.
DEBBIE HORNECKER STAYED BEHIND TO COMFORT HER BUSINESS PARTNER
Debbie Hornecker is the Chief Executive of Elysee Modeling Agency, and the brain behind the Runway dreams modeling agency. Couple of years back, she partnered with Data Okorodudu on a business level which in-turn made the modeling competition to be very big. Ever since then, she had enjoyed a good relationship with this amiable woman and treats her more like a sister. Debbie relocated to Paris with her family 2 years ago, but she has kept a good relationship with Data and she always flies into the country to witness any of Data’s milestones. She was also one of those that stood by Data at the funeral ceremony. Debbie who came to Nigeria for Christmas celebration and was meant to return back couple of days after New Year had to stay back when the news of Data’s husband death filtered into the town. She stood by her and also comforted her. Debbie was with her all through the planning process of the burial and all through the 2 days funeral ceremony. It was a very gloomy period for her too.
TOP PUBLISHER IN THE HOUSE
Data Okorodudu and her husband Jeye are both media friendly, and this is because of how they have both excelled in their chosen career. Though Jeye is more in the background and allows his business to speak for him, Data is more in the news because of her fashion label. She is more of the most sought after fashion designers in the country and has been able to capture a lot of people with her avant garde and exotic fashion pieces. And because of this, top media practitioners also have a high respect for her. Some of the Nigerian top publishers also came to honor Data and her late husband. This include the likes of Betty Irabor(Genevieve Magazine Publisher), Kunle Bakare(Encomium Magazine Publisher), Adesuwa Onyenekwe(Today’s Woman Publisher) and Tewa Onasanya( Exquisite Magazine Publisher)
PASTOR ITUAH IGHODALO CALM DEMEANOR
Former Redeemed Pastor and the Founder of the Trinity House Church, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo was also at the funeral ceremony to honor the Okorodudus. Decked in a black suit, Pastor Ituah was very calm and sober
GENEVIEVE NNAJI AND RITA DOMINIC HONOUR THEIR DESIGNER
Two top Nollywood stars also came to support the Data Okorodudu. This is the duo of Rita Dominic and Genevieve Nnaji. They usually adorn the designs of JD7 by Data Okorodudu. Rita Dominic was one of the guests who graced the service of song which took place on Monday, while Genevieve was at the Funeral Mass on Tuesday. And for Genevieve, she couldn’t hold her tears back at the ceremony.
EME AKENZUA IN A SOBER MOOD
Eme Akenzua is one of the award winning and creative milliners in the country. She runs the award winning label, J3V3. Eme Akenzua who also graced the occasion to support Data was in a very sober mood at the burial ceremony.
JOAN OKORODUDU, A SISTER IN-LAW INDEED
Data and Joan are both sisters-in-law as Joan is married to AVM Terry Okorodudu who is Jeye elder brother. Interestingly, they both have a lot in common as they have been both in the limelight because of the similar business they do. They both have fashion labels and also a modeling competition. And because of the strong bond between the brothers, this had also rubbed off on their wives. Joan’s husband played a major role at the burial ceremony, while Joan his wife was also not left out as she also stood by her sister-in- law, Data, and gave her best support. Joan younger sister, Aju Elumelu, was also at the 2 day ceremony with her sister.
THE SUPER BIG BOYS WHO CAME TO HONOUR JEYE
The guest lists for this 2 days occasion cut across different people from different walks of life from the corporate world, to the fashion, modeling and nollywood. And because Jeye also belongs to the league of super big boys in the society, there were quite a number of prominent personalities who stormed this 2 days ceremony. This include the likes of the former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; to Jimi Agbaje, Larry Agose, Ali Baba(Ace Comedian), Soni Irabor, Mr Osibodu(CEO Viju), Dehinde Harrison amongst others. They came to give their last respect.
…………JEYE’S STAFF WERE ALSO NOT LEFT OUT
Jeye, no doubt was a successful business man. He was the CEO of Adata group. He had business interest ranging from Oil and Gas, telecommunications to banking. He was well loved by all his staff as he was more than a boss to them; he was a father, a mentor, a teacher, solution provider. They all had enormous respect for this man who had touched their lives in many ways. A lot of his staff also made it to the 2 day burial ceremony to pay him their last homage.
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may his soul rest in peace. He was a mentor to me.