EKO NEWS

Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Femi Olugbile, Others Honour Chief JK Randle At Remembrance Ceremony

Published

1 year ago

Dec 20, 2023.

By Babawale Solomon

Eko Hot Blog reports that Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, Her Royal Highness, Dr Abiola Dosunmu, Dr Femi Olugbile, Mr Oluwole Olamide, Otunba TJ Abass, and Dr Patrick Ifechukwudi, recently paid heartfelt tributes at the remembrance celebration of the late Chief JK Randle, a former chairman of the Lagos Race Club.

The celebration held on Sunday, Dec 17, 2023, at X KPMG House in Ikoyi, Lagos, 67 years after the demise of Chief Randle.

In an interview with Eko Hot Blog, Erelu Dosunmu expressed congratulated Bashorun JK Randle, the son of the deceased, appreciating the enduring legacy of his late father.

“I want to congratulate Bashorun Randle, and I want to thank God for his life. Even after over sixty years since his father’s demise, he is still remembered every year. So, I thank God for him and his late father,” she said.

Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, Her Royal Highness, Dr Abiola Dosunmu

“Though he died young, he must have had a good life for everyone to continue remembering him after sixty years. Not many people are remembered even after one year.

“So, I congratulate the family. I wish them all the best, and may they have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year.”

On his part, Dr Olugbile highlighted the late leader’s noble qualities, emphasizing his contributions to Lagos and Nigeria.

“I’m here to celebrate with JK Randle, my good friend, on the anniversary of his father’s demise,” he told our correspondent.

Dr Femi Olugbile

“He’s a noble man from a noble family. The accomplishment of his lineage has been extraordinary, and he has followed in their footsteps.

“The man we are celebrating and remembering, his late father JK Randle, was a very accomplished man; he was a sportsman, an administrator, a philanthropist, a businessman, and a great Lagosian, and I believe he’s worthy of being memorialized and celebrated.

“People should strive always to be the best they can be. He accomplished a lot at 47 years. He was a national figure at a relatively tender age and a generous man who followed the lines of his father. He was devoid of religious sentiments in his donations. In many ways, he embodied the spirit of Lagos, and I believe the things he did are worthy of emulation.”

Similarly, Mr Olamide, a great-grandson of Dr John Randle, praised Chief JK Randle’s impactful life, especially in organizing social programmes for Lagosians.

“Chief JK Randle came from the illustrious and notable Randle family of Lagos, Nigeria, and Britain. He was the first Lisa of Lagos. His life was eventful. During the festive period, he brought up social programs for the people of Lagos. He was the brain behind the Island Club, a multi-racial conception not restricted to Nigerians or Africans alone,” he said.

“In the game of draft, he was unbeatable, as individuals came from the north to compete with him in Lagos but lost. He was a monumental human being, not just ordinary. He was full of grace, divine benevolence, and I’d like to thank God for his life. Those of us who belong to the various units in the Randle family are very proud of him and his achievements, legacies, and the norms and values he left behind for all of us to emulate.”

Otunba TJ Abass (L) with Bashorun JK Randle the thanksgiving service in remembrance of Chief JK Randle

Likewise, Otunba Abass acknowledged Chief JK Randle’s profound impact on lives, reflecting on his role as the first Lisa of Lagos and describing him as a “true Lagosian.”

“This is a special day in the lives of the Randles. We are here to give thanks and remember an individual who I consider to be an extraordinary soul,” he said.

“A true Lagosian, the first Lisa of Lagos, and that’s Chief JK Randle who undoubtedly graced our lives and left an indelible impression on our collective existence. Being here today reflects reference and gratitude to an individual who had a profound impact on all of us.

“This is beyond celebration; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of this individual whose influence transcends the bound of time. He died at a very tender age, and even though his life was short, he had a profound impact on all of us. I didn’t have an opportunity to meet him, but I learned so much from what he did. He was an epitome of humanity and touched so many lives.

“There’s a lesson we can learn from him: no matter how long you live, it is about how well you live and how much impact you are able to make in the lives of the underprivileged.

“Just like Pelewura, he’s also a true Lagosian who made a tremendous impact during his time, and we will always continue to remember him. May his soul rest in peace, and the legacy he left behind will always be remembered.”

Also, Dr. Ifechukwudi recalled the late Randle’s generous support for sports development, emphasizing the enduring legacy and impact of an icon remembered even after living for 47 years.

“We are gathered today in memory of someone who impacted several lives in a short number of years. Interestingly, I’m forty-seven this year. So, anytime I remember that in 47 years, the father of Bashorun Randle has done so much for humanity, I’m not saying this because of what I read,” he said.

Dr. Patrick Ifechukwudi

“Several years ago, I had the privilege of being the secretary-general of CMS Grammar School Old Students Association, which we call the Old Grammarian Society, and we were able to access some money that he had kept in trust for several schools for sports development.

“We got about 10 million naira about 10 or 15 years ago, and we used the fund to build a multi-purpose sports complex inside CMS Grammar School. He has done so much in many places.

“I remember many years ago, when we were going for the London Olympic Games. One of the things late Chief Ernest Shonekan told me was that this person did so much, so today, we’re gathered together to celebrate an icon. We are also grateful to God that he did not only live and transitioned, but he also left children that have also impacted humanity, especially people like Bashorun JK Randle.

“So it’s a thing of joy that after 60-plus years someone passed on to glory, he still has a service every year to remember him. It means he was an icon. That’s why I’m here to join other well-wishers to celebrate this man.”

The remembrance celebration brought together dignitaries to honour Chief JK Randle’s legacy and the enduring impact he made on society.

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