One of my favourite Latin phrases is “Memento Mori”, meaning—“remember you will die”. Notwithstanding my love for this phrase, I was shaken by Francis Akinlotan’s demise on 8 April 2022.

I fondly addressed him as Mr Speaker Sir since he was once the speaker of the Law Students’ Society’s parliament in Obafemi Awolowo University some fifteen years ago.

We chatted briefly on What’s App about Osun Politics on 19 January 2022, and I had no idea that would be our last discussion!
Mr Speaker lived a truly impactful life, and his commitment to the Nigerian project was glaring for all to see. He didn’t just complain about bad governance in Nigeria, but he picked up the gauntlet by joining in founding the Youth Party of Nigeria with like-minded individuals.

He was always cheerful and willing to help at all times! He was an advocate par excellence and always a sight to behold whenever he addressed the court—I watched his argument at the High Court of Lagos State before Hon. Justice Oyekan-Abdullahi on the case regarding the PDP Lagos Chairmanship tussle (Dr Dominic Adegbola & 3 Ors vs PDP & 6 Ors—Suit No. LD/3600GCM/2019), and I was impressed with his elocution. When he later sent the Court’s judgment to me on 8 July 2021, I wasn’t surprised that the learned Judge delivered the judgment in his favour!
Seneca was indeed correct when he wrote in Moral Letters, 49.10b as follows: “Show me that the good life doesn’t consist in its length, but in its use, and that it is possible—no, entirely too common—for a person who has had a long life to have lived too little.”
Francis might have had a short life, but he certainly didn’t live too little.
May the Almighty God comfort his family, friends, colleagues and political associates. Amen