- Obasanjo, Amosun, and Ogun First Lady joined the Omotayo-Iluyemi family to bid farewell to Deacon Gaius Omotayo in Ago-Iwoye.
- Obasanjo led tributes praising his integrity, corporate legacy, and church service; family and friends recalled his generosity and faith.
- Omotayo rose from teacher to Van Leer/Greif MD, serving Nigeria’s industry and church for decades before his death at 89.
Family, loved ones, and distinguished dignitaries gathered at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ago-Iwoye, to celebrate the life and legacy of Deacon Gaius Adetayo Omotayo.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that dignitaries, including former President, Olusegun Obasanjo; former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, joined loved ones to bid farewell to the deceased who passed away May 9, 2026, at the age of 89.
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The funeral rites, which began on Thursday, July 2, with a Christian wake and evening of tributes at the Goodwill Centre, Ago-Iwoye, continued on Friday, July 3, with the lying-in-state and funeral service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Imere Road, Ago-Iwoye. The service was followed by a private interment and a reception at Wosam Arena.
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The funeral rites concluded on Sunday, July 5, with a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church.
Clergy, community leaders, and members of the Ago-Iwoye Central Development Council, which the late patriarch once chaired, joined dignitaries and well-wishers to pay their last respects to a man widely remembered for his integrity, quiet generosity, and decades of devotion to both his community and his faith.
Family, Friends, Obasanjo Pay Tribute to Deacon Omotayo
In a moving tribute, former President Obasanjo described the late Deacon as “a true titan who embodied the finest values of dedication, brilliance, and integrity,” noting that Omotayo’s rise from a primary school teacher to a chartered secretary and eventually a managing director reflected a career that was “nothing short of exemplary.”
He particularly highlighted Omotayo’s role as the first African Managing Director of Van Leer East Africa in Kenya, describing it as evidence of his brilliant administrative acumen, which left an enduring mark on Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
Obasanjo also praised the deceased’s philanthropy across Ago-Iwoye and Ijebuland, as well as his devotion to God as Balogun Ijo of St. Paul’s Church and Vice-Chairman of the Select Group that funded the church’s rebuilding.
The former president urged the family to take comfort in his legacy and remain “united, disciplined, and driven by the stellar values he taught.”
Also paying tribute was the caregiver who nursed Deacon Omotayo between 2021 and 2022, Khaleed, who described the news of his passing as heartbreaking and prayed for his grandchildren to prosper and fulfil their destinies.
His daughter-in-law, Folashade Omotayo, recalled how she was welcomed into the family with warmth and no conditions, describing him as a man who taught her the meaning of integrity, humility, and faith, and who honoured his wife with tenderness for over five decades.
Likewise, his daughter, Ayodele Adenugba, fondly called “Tee Tai” by her father, described him as a mentor who taught her hard work, honesty, and gratitude, recalling how he affectionately called her “Tee Tai… gorgeous.”
Similarly, Ronke Emmanuel (née Onamade) remembered his kindness during the loss of her own father, while Prince Jacob Olufemi M. Olusanya, representing the Anglican Christian Fellowship of St. Paul’s Church, described him as a faithful servant who “gave to church work and to humanity without keeping scores.”
The Life and Times of Deacon Gaius Adetayo Omotayo
Born to Pa David Arifilelo Sangosanya, a farmer, and Mama Alice Bamowo Sangosanya, popularly known as “Oni Burukutu,” Deacon Omotayo’s roots were firmly planted in Ago-Iwoye and the Anglican faith that would define his life. He began his education in 1944 at St. Paul’s Anglican School, Imere, and later worked as a produce buyer before joining the church as a sexton in 1956 and a pupil teacher the following year.
He went on to obtain multiple professional qualifications, including certifications from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, before transitioning into the corporate world.
In 1969, he joined Van Leer Containers Nigeria Plc as an Assistant Accountant, rising steadily to become Finance Director. He later served as Managing Director of Van Leer East Africa in Kenya, and subsequently led Van Leer, later Greif Nigeria Plc, for 13 years, retiring in 2002 after 33 years of service.
Beyond the corporate sphere, he held leadership positions, including Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Apapa Branch, and President of the Association of Metal Products, Iron and Steel Employers of Nigeria. A devout Anglican, he was appointed Balogun Ijo of St. Paul’s Church in 2007 and played a central role in raising funds for the rebuilding of the church.
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He was married to Comfort Abosede Ayanfodun in 1969, a union that lasted over 50 years, and they were blessed with eight children, all graduates. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
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