By Bisi Olominu

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When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.

When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.

When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.

Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance,
fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold
caves.

And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
This great and inspiring poem from Maya Angelou is to celebrate Doctor Theo Adebowale who passed on few days ago. Although dead in body, what he lived for and preached, that is sharing love and giving what he had to mankind cannot die.
In his lifetime, he moulded many students’ life, trained them to become somebody in the society, this erudite scholar will continue to live in the hearts of many people. All the articles he had written, symposia attended, paper presentations, analysis will continue to speak of this great mind.
Theo Adebowale was a colossus, adept teacher, thorough breed lecturer who loved his students and wanted them to succeed. He had produced many students who today are shakers and movers of Nigeria.
From his days in then Ondo State University, OSUA, Ado Ekiti now Ekiti State University, Theo Adebowale’s class was a beauty to behold. In his POS lecturers, it was enjoyment galore as students wondered of his dexterity knowledge, his awesome teaching methodology, classicalism of analysis, breakdown of knotty issues to the levels of his students and his friendly nature. With his jeans, you will always noticed him in the midst of his students arguing and explaining topics to them.
As Theo Adebowale was an enigma in Political Science department of the university in Ado Ekiti, so Professor Femi Mimiko of the same department, Professor Bamisaye, Professor Hope Eghagha and Professor Nelson Fashina of English and Literary Studies department. They were all students delight while highlighting Maxist theories. At symposia organized by the students union government, it was always war as these lecturers proved their worth at the podium.
Then all young, not professors, but they excelled in their chosen fields. Today Theo Adebowale has left this erudite scholars to be with his maker.
For two years that I shared with him as a member of the editorial board of The Hope newspaper, Theo Adebowale contributed immensely to the growth of the newspaper through editorial contents and being a columinist. At meetings, his atavism always noted, political analysis with colleague in the board, Dr Fasuwon great delight to watch. Little wonder he was called ‘Kabiyesi’.
Like what John Donne said in his poem, ‘Death Be Not Proud’, indeed death should not be proud of killing Theo Adebowale for death is not fearful and dreadful to him. In his 66years of life, he had achieved what some of his fellows born of the same age with him could not achieved.
This great poet said, ‘Those whom thou think’st dost overthrow die not’. Death has not done anything to this great political scientist if this indeed is what it can do. Theo Adebowale is just sleeping, having pleasure with God Almighty.
Another poet, George Herbert in his poem ‘The Pilgrimage’, said that this life is a journey, a market place where buying and selling occur, Theo has done his bit, the difficult areas he encountered while alive has ended. After such a difficult experience, death is nothing but a moment of transition from this life to eternity. He had seen running, climbing and struggling in life, so, he needs to rest.
In John Milton poem ‘ When I consider how my light is spent’, in this line of the Sonnet, ‘ The talents, both God exact day- labour,’ I am very sure that when God sees Theo Adebowale face to face, he would be able to answer God that indeed he had used his talents for humanity. His various write-ups, analysis on radio and television, newspapers contributions and several others will speak about him.
The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Owena Press Limited, publisher of ‘The Hope titles’ Sir Ademola Adetula also speaks well of Theo Adebowale with this words: ”How I wished that your death is a hoax but the reality dawned on the army of admirers who accompanied the lifeless body to the morgue that he has truly transited to eternity.”
”We are pained by his death because of the personage Theo was. He was truly selfless, bold and patriotic and lived for others to survive. Like the Iroko tree he was a father to many whom he influenced positively. His home was a sanctuary to the homeless and freely gave to the needy even to his own discomfort.
”We shall miss your weekly homily at The Hope newspaper and editorial writings.
”Thanks to God for the opportunity to have met you and your wise counsel shall remain an indelible memento of our friendship and your greatness and service to humanity. Adieu Kabiyesi.”
A former member of the Editorial Board of The Hope newspaper, Agbelusi Ganiyu said this of Theo’s death,” This is saddening. Who could have known we were seeing him for the last time during the last editorial meeting . Very nice, humble and a prolific writer with versatility to his credit. Quite unfortunate. May God grant him eternal rest and grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
To the former Chairman, Editorial Board of The Hope newspaper, Dr. Gbenga Abimbola said this of Theo Adebowale, ”Kabiyesi, as he was fondly called ,lived for humanity. He particularly served The Hope newspaper editorial board with intellect, gusto and strength of character. His immense contributions to the newspaper as a columnist and Editorial Board member would be greatly missed as the gap created by his sudden exit is too wide to fulfill. We however take solace in the footprints he left in the sand of time. Adieu dear Kabiyesi”.
”When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder”. We grief because of your sense of justice. We mourn because of your good heart. It is painful to say goodbye to Theo Adebowale. Another great son of Owo has gone. Goodbye Dr. Theo Adebowale.