I first knew Late Prof. Rachel Bolaji Asagba nee Oloye in the 1970s. She was the closest friend to my late elder sister, Engr. Princess Bolaji Ogunoye Ajibola my mother’s second born. I believe that the two of them first became attracted to each other because of their first names “Bolaji” since their residences were not far from each other. They became close friends thereafter.
The two Bolajis were beautiful and attended different schools in Owo together and later pursued knowledge thereafter to higher institutions. They attained commanding heights in their chosen endeavors. The friends at a time settled at Ibadan after marriage and remained not only friends, as they became families.
The friendship was based on loyalty, trust, love, care, reliance, and endurance. I can say without equivocation that Prof. Bolaji Asagba exuded these character traits without fault. The result of the closeness attained expression to the level where myself and other siblings of my late sister naturally believe that Prof. Bolaji was and still is our sister, till today.
I can therefore say that the demise of sister Bolaji, as we used to call her, is a personal loss, not only to me, to the Royal family of Ogunoye as a whole. We have indeed lost a gem, a humane and trustworthy personality, who was a blessing to the family, friends, and humanity as a whole.
We are however consoled by the fact that she lived a very useful, impactful, and beneficial life to the credit of humanity and the world. I am sure that she will be happy being with her friend, my lovely sister, Princess Bolaji Ogunoye Ajibola, who had departed to heaven in 1993. Certainly, this is a continuation of perfect friendship, started on earth and elevated in heaven.
Dear sister Bolaji (Prof.), we will continue to miss you. My prayer is that God, in His mercies will continue to give you perfect rest in heaven.
His Imperial Majesty,
Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III
The Olowo of Owo, and the Paramount Ruler of Owo Land.