Tope Kila Tribute

This is a very sad news for me . As of yesterday. When i heard the news that my long time friend passed away was the most shocking news i have ever recieved in a long while.

Myself (Yomi Salawu) have known Tope since 1990 through a friend in the old Kent as two 24 year olds. We even attended the same university together  University of North London in Holloway Road. Now the London Metropolitan University.

Being class mates. we studied a degree in Hotel Management and completed the programme successfully in 1994.

Tope was a very good person and full of life and aspiration. I attended his wedding and all sorts of other family ceremonies.

Having a change of career from my part to being a bus driver.  I usually see Tope on my bus and we will chat about all sorts of things including his intending move from Dunton Road SE1 to Forest Gate in East London. Telling me all his property issues he had with his tenants while driving a PSV bus in service.

As you know Tope, can be very jovial at times, the last time i saw him on the bus again on a wednesday 3 days prior to his departure he made a remark as he sat on the upper deck this time around, when he was about to alert from the bus at the Bermondsey Health centre as usual.

He came to me and made a comment jokingly accussing me of slamming on the breaks too harshly saying oga se efe gbe wa su bu ni.

We even joked about other issues as friends and asked of his family in Nigeria not knowing that will be the last time i will see Tope Kila. I am now taking it as a final departure greeting.

May his soul rest in peace and have an eternal journey

My heart goes out to his family, his wife and the two children that he left behind. I pray that god be thier guidance.

Even though it looks as if Tope Kila has gone for ever . Which he has physically but spiritually he will always be with us.

God bless you and your friends and family

Sun re o

Baba Kila

Yomi Salawu