My brother was not just a human being, but a mentor to all mankind. In a short period of his life, he impacted so many lives both physically and spiritually. Your children shall be greater than you in Jesus name. Pst. Bankole Omotayo Olubamise, good night. OLUBAMISE ABIODUN AND FAMILY
Yes, here is my one. We will always have beautiful memories A precious one from us has gone. of the one we loved so dear.
A voice we love is still. Servant of God, well done! A place is vacant in our hearts Rest from thy love employ.which no one else can fill. The battle is fought, the victory won. After our lonely heartaches Enter thy Master’s joy. and our silent tears AUNTY FUNMI, IRELAND
If I were to describe our brother, pastor and mentor in a simple biblical phrase it would be with the words “man of God.” Like Moses, like Elijah he was a man of God. Those of you who knew him will remember him as a man of godly conviction and persuasion. He stood firm on the reformation principal of “Sola Scriptura” – The Word of God alone. He did not make decisions in his ministry as to what was popular in evangelical circles; he did not pander to human applause; his pastoral leadership and decision making was based upon the principle “What does the Word of God say?”
When he preached one had no doubts that his goal was to preach the uncompromised truth of the Word. He had a fear of God which superseded any fear of man which enabled him to remain firmly committed to the truth when others in the ministry would compromise to popular appeal. He would no doubt want me to appeal to those of you who are ministers of the gospel here today to be faithful to the Word rather than seeking worldly fame and applause.
He is an example of faithfulness – faithfulness to his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ; faithful to the Word of God; faithful to his marriage vows…faithful in pastoring and preaching the Word; Faithful!
What an example he has left us in a life of holiness. The other wonderful example he left was in the area of his sacrificial love and generosity. He would impoverish himself in order to bless others. I know that not only have his immediate children benefited from his rich generosity toward us but so many others have as well.
To us you are still very much with us and your legacies, teachings and ministry will last eternally. FULL GOSPEL BUSINESS MEN FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL (FGBMFI ), LUGBE ZONE
I met Pastor Bankole about 13 years ago during the WSIS process. We immediately developed a perfect working relationship culminating in his involvement in various activities of NITDA. He contributed to the development of the Nigerian ICT4D Plan, the eNigeria conferences, National Software Policy and lately the development of ICT policy for states. Financial reward was secondary as you put all you had in any assignment given to you.
On behalf of the NITDA family, we thank you for your immense contribution to the success stories of NITDA. Your contribution can never be forgotten. We pray to God to grant your wife, children and entire family the fortitude to bear the great loss to the family and the nation as a whole. RIP Pastor! VINCENT O. OLATUNJI, PHD NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NITDA)
I write this with great sadness over the unimaginable loss of a close friend. I remember our friendship then during our undergraduate days at University of Maiduguri, Borno-State. This was followed by our working together at Legal Research and Resource Development Centre,(LRRDC) Yaba.
The struggle for the development and sustainability of Development Information Network (DevNet.) All these were at the beginning of long acquaintance, sometimes academics and at least as often social networking.
Bankole was a remarkable and engaging person. This is a shocking and very sad loss. May his soul rest in perfect peace. I pray to almighty God to give the immediately family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Adieu! Onaade Ojo (PhD)
Pastor Bankole, you were an expression of God’s compassion. You went all out to reach out to the less privileged. You stood with me to make sure l understand how N.G.O works and how to access funds to help better lives and environment. I will miss you.
An example of respecting spiritual leaders, you were. Even in pain when you saw me, you stood up to greet. You have left an example. It will speak on. You are a giver. Many have benefitted from you. You live on in the foot print of Jesus in our lives. Bankole! Adieu! Till we come. PASTOR MARTHA KURE
Pastor, you’ll be greatly missed for all the heavenly blessings I thought God will use you to deliver as usual. You fought and conquered after the order of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Rest in His bossom. Till we meet at the alleluyah celebration to part no more. BUNMI OBIDARE
Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) is saddened by the passing on of Bankole Olubamise, a most exceptional and talented ICT professional and advocate. The nation has lost a gem. NCS recognizes and appreciates his immense impact in ICT4D policy making and consulting.
We indeed have fond memories of his contributions as one of our conference speakers at our annual conference held last year in Osun state. He will always be remembered for his admirable dedication and passion by the IT community. Our thoughts are with his wife, children and family members. May God protect, comfort and strengthen them. NIGERIA COMPUTER SOCIETY (NCS)
It’s hard to accept that Bankole, my colleague is gone. We worked closely together on so many projects in ICT consulting and policy development. Working with him was a pleasure. Very passionate and driven, he was always full of remarkable ideas and boundless energy.
One thing that always stood out in him was his extraordinary humanity and interest in others. Bankole, I thank you for being not just a colleague, but a great friend and brother. It is a painful parting but I will always cherish the experiences we shared. May the God Lord keep and care for his wife, children and family. Rest in Peace, Bankole. JIDE AWE, MD, JIDAW SYSTEMS
It is indeed heat breaking to hear this. The IT community has lost a dependable ally. May his gentle soul rest in peace. DR. FOLORUNSO - NCS CHAIRMAN OSUN STATE CHAPTER
Nigeria’s CommTech Industry loses one of its most promising young men. ‘There goes another diminishing of our future. Bydway, whose interest does death serve? And how does it make its choices? Death, you sting, but we fear not thee. Shame to you death! Bankole did his best. He will rest in The Lord’. TITI OMO-ETTU, CHAIRMAN, CYBERSCHUUL
This cannot be true! Bankole was a fine + Passionate IT intellectual. Above, he was very humble. I learnt a lot discussing + networking with him. Even in death, he can be counted as one of Nigeria’s IT colossus. He will surely rest in perfect peace. CHRIS UWAJE, PAST PRESIDENT, INSTITUTE OF SOFTWARE PRACTITIONERS OF NIGERIA (ISPON)
I read this very sad information several times before I could figure out that it was Bankole Olubamise that was gone. Yes, we worked together on the development of National Software Policy and other related assignments but it is still very difficult for me to believe that, the young and very vibrant, Bankole Olubamise has passed on. May God protect his wife, children and family. He will always be remembered by friends and colleagues. Rest in peace, Bankole. S. A. SHEHU, REGISTRAR, COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (CPN)
A leading light in Nigerian ICT4D has left us. His shoes will be hard to fill. JOHN DADA, CEO, FANTSUAM FOUNDATION
This is sad and deeply sad that a good friend has gone into the world of no return. That my Pastor Oluwabamise Bankonle has gone and gone for ever at a prime age is unbelievable. We worked together in many ICT fora to mention a few were the ICT4D and National Software Policy Committee. It is a great loss. I shall ever remember him for his glorious contributions. Bye. May his soul rest in perfect peace. PROFESSOR O. CHARLES AKINYOKUN, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, AKURE
So shocked to hear about Bankole’s sudden passing. Bankole’s contributions towards the development and growth of ICT in Nigeria is totally unimpeachable.
His constructive ideas, strong advocacy and incurable verve to see Nigeria transform to a knowledge economy was clearly exemplified when he was called upon to serve as a resource person during the development of the Nigerian ICT4D Private Sector Development Strategy and Plan (where I was opportuned to be the Group Head).
Certainly, he has left a yawning gap in the ICT development consultancy space. May the Lord grant his soul eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. IMO UKPONG. ICT CONSULTANT
I didn’t know Bankole well nor personally but from the excellent piece he wrote on the overview of the Nigerian ICT industry for the Venture ICT career journal, it was obvious that he was extremely versed about the industry.
The fact that he agreed to do the article and turned it out in record time despite his very many interests and heavy schedule is a testimony of a man who honoured commitments and others. We thank God for a life lived with purpose and contribution to humankind. May his soul rest in perfect peace and may the good Lord grant the family the courage and fortitude to bear the loss. NADU DENLOYE, CO-FOUNDER, TELNET
Its a really sad loss for me personally. Mr Bankole Olubamise was my mentor, He was one of the few people that motivated me to start my own company. He always believed in me and gave me every opportunity to learn from him, he brought me into the IT fold, because of him, I am who I am today. A giant has left us. Rest on Uncle. Your legacy will continue to live on, may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. OLADIMEJI OLUFEMI PMP
Shocking and saddening are the words considered apt to describe the passing away of a great titan of IT, an outstanding and erudite professional Mr Bankole Olubamise. His contribution to IT development and deployment is monumental. We have lost a Gem. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and may God Almighty take care of his family. IYIOLA AYOOLA DIRECTOR, CORPORATE AFFAIRS NIGERIA COMPUTER SOCIETY
That I am still at a loss for words, I cannot over emphasize. God knows best!!! Bankole my dear colleague and friend of twenty years. What a loyal friend you have been. We seemed to keep in touch more than the others in the LRRDC team. Or is it my imagination.
There was always something that I could do that you would call me for. We would just talk, sometimes catching up on old times, several times encouraging each other that things will get better in the nation. Several times sharing around the word and the church. I still find it difficult to believe that you have gone back home already. Home to be with your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I am glad for your faith! All else is history.
Sleep well my beloved brother, Sleep in the bossom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. You have fought the good fight of faith, you have run the race, now to your eternal rest.
Will miss you dearly. God keep and uphold Ronke and the Kids. Adeiu!!! ATINUKE ODUKOYA
Bankole Olubamise, that’s how I often thought of him and called him. And it is so hard to believe that Bankole is so early taken from our midst.
Bankole joined the team at Legal Research & Resource Development Centre (LRRDC) in 1994. He was engaged as the Programme Officer for Library and Documentation Unit, which then was the first if it’s type in Nigeria. Bankole not only gave profound intellectual leadership to the programme, his initiative and passion for information and knowledge management and sharing contributed in no small measure to the emergence of the network of human rights organisations (HURINET) and the network of development NGOs (DEVNET) with support from the British Council.
Bankole was true and honest in his commitment to working for change for development in Nigeria. For him, NGO work was not for bread and butter but was a life’s passion and vision. He was a major player to the conceptual development of many of the Centre’s programmes. His place in the making of LRRDC and in shaping the direction of human rights and development work in Nigeria and globally will forever be on record.
Bankole was loyal and self-disciplined. He consistently pushed forward the bar for excellence at work. He never compromised on standards; and for his proven capacity, rose to become the Programmes Coordinator (more or less, the Deputy Executive Director, if there was ever such an office).
In many ways, Bankole was my teacher and adviser. As he pursued his personal development for leadership, he pulled me along, giving me most of the books I have in my library on personal development.
I could always count on him to put the organisation’s best interest first and it was passionately that I pleaded with him to stay on when he first mooted moving on. For all these, I know he contributed to my personal career development.'
Adieu Olubankole Olubamise. We will surely miss you but we trust that as the Scriptures say, because you have fought the good fight, you run the race and you have kept the faith, there now awaits you a crown of righteousness, which Jesus Christ himself will award to you. (2Tim. 4:7-8) AYODELE ATSENUWA (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LRRDC) FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE STAFF AND MANAGEMENT OF LRRDC
The old saying that only the good die young is certainly apt to describe the passing of my dear friend and colleague Pastor Bankola Olubamise.
I’ve known Bankole since early 1994 way back at Legal Research as a program officer when I saw him contributing freelance to the Nigeria civil sociality Thinker. At the time, human right activist was facing challenging in Nigeria. In whatever role we knew him, from whatever vantage point, he stood apart as someone special!
Bankola was committed to research focused on improving development information and civil society systems in Nigeria.
He was passionate about enabling development work to become better places for civil society organisation. He was a transformational leader and change agent who had great dreams of what development work could be. He had a gift of innovative thinking, a visionary spirit, and the tenacious patience required to successfully lead meaningful development reform.
This is shocking and very sad loss. AUSTIN .O. ENEANYA FINANCE MANAGER WEST AFRICA NETWORK FOR PEACEBUILDING-NIG
