Yemisi Subair, the sister of Segun Awolowo, who died recently, has recalled how the late Awolowo became intimate with God in the latter part of his life.
She made the disclosure during a tribute event held on December 1 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Subair recounted in a social media post of the event monitored by Church Times recalled how her brother drew remarkably close to God shortly before his passing.
The late Awolowo, a lawyer and former Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, was remembered with warmth and admiration. He was the grandson of Nigeria’s foremost nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Not named Segun at birth
Subair disclosed that he was not originally named Segun at birth. “His name at birth was Omotunde Kofi,” she explained. “He adopted the name Segun after learning more about his father. When he filed an affidavit for the change of name, that was when people became aware.”
Reflecting on his final days, Subair said her brother shared with her an old Yoruba hymn that had begun to fill his heart as he prepared to travel for medical treatment. According to her, the song became a defining part of his last moments.
While recalling beautiful memories about the late scion of the Awolowo dynasty, she said, “When he was going to travel for his treatment, he called and said an old Yoruba hymn was coming to him. That is the essence of Segun’s last few days.”
She revealed that in the months leading to his death, Segun believed he had begun to hear from God. The hymn he repeatedly sang includes the lyrics: “Iku oró tí n bá kú, ìyà èsè tí n bá jẹ, gbogbo rè ló tí kó lọ. Jesu Olúwa, ó má ṣe o, torí mi ló se jìyà.”
Translated, the song means: “The painful death I should have died, the punishment for sin I should have borne, He has taken it all away. Jesus, my Lord, thank You. You suffered on my behalf.”
Subair added that her brother sang the hymn continuously for two days, expressing her conviction that, “I know he would have arrived in heaven singing that song.”
