Where do I begin to talk of the irrepressible Emeka Obasi: was it at our frst happenstance or at our very
last meeting some few weeks ago? In the intervening period, spanning over 30 years, fate brought and bound
us together as friends, as confidants, as professional advisers and as solicitor/client.

My relationship with Emeka Obasi started innocuously as one of client/solicitor when in 1991 he brought a
civil matter to Gani Fawehinmi Chambers where I was the Deputy Head of Chambers. Chief Gani Fawehinmi,
SAN, GCON himself of blessed memory referred Emeka to me to deal with the case.

There he was, young, vibrant, full of energy and passion, the initiator and Director-General of the Yakubu Gowon Centre for Diplomacy. I was slightly older by months and we both bonded like magnets immediately.

We were both young, idealistic and at the beginning of our different careers. The friendship so formed would go on to last alife-time, till he was no more.

When I left Gani Fawehinmi Chambers and set up my Law Offce, my relationship with Emeka continued as
Solicitor, Legal Adviser, confdant and friend. It was built on trust and mutual respect. As many who knew him
would testify, Emeka was always full of life and ideas, energetic, vivacious, full of ideas and great inspirations,
eternally positive, even at diffcult moments, but never downcast.

He was never daunted by the enormity of any task that he embarked upon, and he did embark on many tasks. I used to tease him that he was a cat with nine lives and he would bust out in wide laughter in his usual
friendly banter. Emeka was the ultimate go-getter with a capital ‘G’.

Emeka impacted positively on many lives along the part of his own life. Knowing and interacting with him was a rare privilege and honour for me.

He loved life but he loved his family more. He touched many lives, and he contributed greatly and positively to
humanity in general. He will be sorely missed, and will never be forgotten.

With gratitude in our hearts for the love and joy you gave during your time on this earth, I say Godspeed my dear buddy, Emeka Obasi, THE PRINCE.

Ayo Olanrewaju, Esq.