67 Years After: Bashorun Randle, Others Pay Tribute To Chief JK Randle At Memorial Service

Eko Hot Blog reports that a one-time President of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, Bashorun JK Randle and his family, on Sunday, December 17, 2023, organised a memorial and thanksgiving service in honour of their late father Chief JK Randle at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos State.

The service commenced with hymns and worship songs, expressing gratitude to God for members of the congregation, including the family of Late Chief JK Randle, who passed away in December 1956 at 47.

The priests in charge of the church subsequently prayed for the family whom the deceased left behind 67 years ago.

In an interview with Eko Hot Blog, the Bashorun Randle, acknowledged sacrifices of his late father and past generations, hoping for a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria for the younger generation.

Bashorun JK Randle (in Blue Attire) at the memorial and thanksgiving service in honour of his late father Chief JK Randle

The author of many books lamented that Nigerians of the present generations are yet to experience a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.

“It is always a great honor and privilege to remember that Late Chief JK Randle and his generation sacrificed so much for Nigeria,” he said.

“They believed in Nigeria, yet we are still dealing with overlapping crises instead of overlapping blessings and harmony. We are still praying that things will get better and that your generation will benefit from a glorious, prosperous, and peaceful Nigeria.”

Bashorun Randle disclosed the passion and vision his father had for Lagos and Nigeria.

“My father was very passionate about Lagos and Nigeria and believed that no sacrifice was too much toward the accomplishment of the vision they had for Lagos and Nigeria, where everyone will feel at peace and enjoy the blissful blessings of the almighty,” he stated.

The chartered accountant concluded by calling for intellectuals to unite, addressing Nigeria’s peace contradiction, and emphasizing the need for national collaboration.

“My parting message is that we are rich but still piss poor. It’s a grotesque contradiction, and that’s what we have to deal with. People like you and all the intellectuals and intelligent people this country has been blessed with must come together and salvage the situation because the alternative is too gruesome to be contemplated. We have only one country, and it’s Nigeria,” he added.

Meanwhile, the reception unfolded at Bashorun Randle’s residence, X KPMG House in Parkview, where friends and family joyously gathered to celebrate with the son of the late icon.

Energizing musical performances by Seyi Michael and his band entertained the gathering, while MC Mallam Nurudeen Ibrahim Sokoto entertained with humour during the reception at X KPMG House in Parkview.

Bashorun JK Randle (in Blue Attire) and family and friends, including Otunba TJ Abass dancing at the reception in honour of his late father Chief JK Randle

Bashorun Randle joined in the festivity, hitting the dancefloor as friends and family gathered to extend their felicitations. The occasion also included heartfelt tributes to the late Chief JK Randle, the esteemed first Lisa of Lagos.

Notably, late Chief JK Randle was born on July 28, 1909, to a privileged family. However, he faced financial challenges after his father’s death. Despite dreams of university education, he worked briefly with the treasury department and later tried gold mining in Ilesha.

Returning to Lagos, he engaged in trade, earned a chieftaincy title, and became a sports enthusiast, serving in various capacities, including Chef de Mission of the Nigerian Olympic team. Unfortunately, he fell ill on a flight from Melbourne and passed away in December 1956.

As the Lisa of Lagos and Chairman of the Lagos Race Club, Randle’s legacy intertwines sports, business, and civic contributions in Lagos.