ORDER OF SERVICE

1. BIOGRAPHY

2. THE PROCESSIONAL

3. INTRODUCTION AND THE COLLECT

4. HYMN: ABIDE WITH ME

5. READING: JOHN 14:1-6

6. ADDRESS by Father Paul Ensor

7. EULOGY by Patrick Ata

8. TRIBUTE by Ahmed Makele

9. HYMN: LORD OF ALL HOPEFULNESS

10. PRAYERS

11. THE RECESSIONAL

12. COMMITTAL AND BLESSING

13. HYMN: BLESSED ASSURANCE

TRIBUTES

APPRECIATION

Ibrahim Daniel Makele was born on 19 April 1966 in Lagos, Nigeria to the family of Mamman Ali &Tokunbo Makele, (a former Federal Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an administrator at theUniversity of Lagos respectively). He was the second child.

He was popularly known as Ibrahim, Ibs, Daniel, Danny Mak or the Iceman to his friends and family.

He attended the University of Lagos Staff School, Lagos, Nigeria for his primary education between 1970and 1977. He then attended Federal Government College Ijanikin, Lagos, Nigeria for his secondaryeducation between 1977 and 1982. He was the goalkeeper for the Soccer First XI at FGC Ijanikin . He pro-ceeded to Millfield School, Somerset, England for his “A” levels between 1982 and 1985. He kept in goalfor the Millfield Soccer Second XI. Ibrahim was a Prefect at Millfield School. Ibrahim attended the Univer-sity of Sussex from 1985 to 1988 where he obtained an Upper Second Class degree in Law. In 1990 he ob-tained a Masters’ Degree in Law from the University of Bristol. He passed his Bar Finals examinationsthereafter and was then called to the English Bar as a Barrister. Ibrahim also obtained a second Masters De-gree in Law from Madrid University in Spain with a distinction.

Ibrahim worked as an in-house lawyer and general counsel at General Electric, Winterthur Life and AXA.He distinguished himself at all three places.

Ibrahim had an interest in music (particularly jazz and salsa), sport (football - he was a great goalkeeper,table tennis and cricket), he loved to travel (visiting most countries in Europe, the far East and the Amer-icas) and was very widely read. Ibrahim loved the southern European way of life and spoke Spanish.Ibrahim was a most beloved Son, Brother, and Uncle and was extremely popular and well liked amongstthose who knew him, including friends and colleagues. He is survived by his mother, brothers, sisters,nephews and nieces.

BIOGRAPHY

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THE PROCESSIONAL: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

INTRODUCTION AND THE COLLECT Father Paul Ensor

HYMN: ABIDE WITH MEAbide with me; fast falls the eventide;The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.When other helpers fail and comforts flee,Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;Change and decay in all around I see;O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

READING: JOHN 14:1-6Mrs Fatima Afolayan

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I wouldhave told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; thatwhere I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whitherthou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, butby me.

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ADDRESSFather Paul Ensor

EULOGYPatrick Ata

TRIBUTEAhmed Makele

HYMN: LORD OF ALL HOPEFULNESSLord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares could destroy,Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

PRAYERSFather Paul Ensor

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

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THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is inheaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass againstus. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

THE RECESSIONAL: Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald

The committal and blessing will follow immediately at the graveside

COMMITTAL AND BLESSING

HYMN: BLESSED ASSURANCE Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!O what a foretaste of glory divine!Heir of salvation, purchase of God,Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. Refrain:This is my story, this is my song,Praising my Savior, all the day long;This is my story, this is my song,Praising my Savior, all the day long.Perfect submission, perfect delight,Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;Angels descending bring from aboveEchoes of mercy, whispers of love.RefrainPerfect submission, all is at restI in my Savior am happy and blest,Watching and waiting, looking above,Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.Refrain

The reception will follow at the Hilton Hotel, 101 Waddon Way, Purley Way, Croydon, CR9 4HH 7

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

TRIBUTES

Fatima Afolayan (Sister)Beloved brother, you were loving, joyful, peaceful, faithful, self-controlled, kind, patient, humble. You were a wonderful cook (mammamia!). You enjoyed travelling all over the world. You will be missed by your nephew Adeyeni and niece Ololade.The Lord is your strength and I will miss you. Rest in perfect peace, in Jesus name. Amen.

Ralph Afolayan (Brother-in-law)He was a quiet guy. He had a full life but we wouldn’t have wanted him to go so quickly. I don’t think I could have had a better brother inlaw.

Ahmed Makele (Brother)You were a beloved big brother. Your charisma and presence was something to behold. You were always available to provide guidance andsupport and I remember many a time, when I needed to take the next step, my first thought was that I needed to speak to Ibs. We went to thesame schools and the same University and I could never escape your very positive and effervescent presence. I am and will always be proudto be introduced as "Ibs' brother". May your soul rest in perfect peace!

Ronke Makele (Sister-in-law)A tribute to a “BIG” Brother IbsUncle Ibs, as you were referred to in our house. It is well with you. I just can’t believe it. There are lots of “whys” and “what if’s” goingthrough my head every second of the day since the terrible visit from the police to inform us of your passing away. I can’t believe that onthe fateful Sunday, I was showing your pictures to your brother and little did we know, we were meant to be interceding hard on your behalf.Ibrahim, you were always larger than life. Even as a little child growing up, I knew of you, that’s how popular you were. Even to date if Imention my surname the usual response I get is, Ibrahim Makele?

You had a unique relationship with your brother Remi. You were always the one he naturally turned to for career advice and you neverturned him away. Who would provide that support now? When we got married in 1997, your wedding gift to us was a part payment for ourhoneymoon and Remi and we chose Madrid based on your advice. You told your very many friends in Madrid, that we were coming and theymade it an extremely enjoyable and memorable time for us. They took us out to various joints in Madrid every night of our stay even thoughI could not keep up, (as I was not yet accustomed to keeping late nights and would often begin to nod off after our meal to their’s and Remi’samazement).

Such was your love for Spain, Madrid in particular. I remember when you studied for your second Masters Degree in Madrid. In your usualway, you learnt Spanish within six months and were able to write your dissertation in Spanish and graduate with a Distinction. When wevisited you with Demi who was a tiny tot then, you kindly gave up your bed for us in your flat in the high brow of Madrid. At the weekendyou took us on a visit to the town of Segovia to experience the delicacy of the region - roasted suckling pig!! I was a bit sceptical at first anddidn’t want to try it, but when I tasted it, I couldn’t stop eating it, until we’d devoured the entire thing. Your taste and knowledge of food wasincredible. So were your culinary skills. I always looked forward to eating whatever you cooked and I remember the Christmas you stayedwith us and the incredible meal you cooked.

You used to call Demi your Campeón (Champion) because of his sporting skills which you had spotted since he was a tiny tot and it used totickle him pink. You played football with him and jisted about football. You will surely be missed by your nephew Demi, your nieces Ireand Anu, Remi and I. Sun re o, till we meet again at the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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Asabe Makele (Sister)Ibs was so much more than my big brother - he was my rock, my guide and my friend, always there, always supportive. Brilliant, respected,beloved, larger than life, he was the epitome of life - whether working hard, travelling the world, cooking wonderful Christmas dinners orcursing Liverpool's terrible games. Words cannot do him justice - but the love here speaks for itself. My life will never be the same.

Lami Oyenuga (Sister)Ibs was so much to me. Growing up I was his baby sister and he my protector. Even when I was naughtiest he always seemed to understandand was always loving. In boarding school, he would be the one to take me out on visits and give me treats. As life progressed, he was theperfect cook, advice giver, sounding board, and always had time for me and my brood (Dedun, Mide and Demi). His presence always liftedme as he could not help but be jovial, full of life, and ever so rarely - moody. I will miss him more than words could ever describe. May herest in perfect peace.

Wale Oyenuga (Brother-in-law)He was a great brother, whose objectivity you could always count on.

Bayero Makele (Brother)Ibs was an inspiration and a legend. I will miss all the times we spent hanging out at Borough market. He made a massive impact on my lifeand I will miss him very deeply.

Lanre Makele (Brother)Daniel was more than a brother to me, he was my best friend and my guide. I will miss him very much and the world is a little less brightwithout him.

Ronke Akinkugbe (Sister)You'll be sorely missed.You were always so jovial, the life and soul of the party with your characteristic smile and laugh. A larger than life character. A gentle giant.God knows best. Who are we to question him? You are in a better place. Till we meet again. Your memory will forever be etched in our hearts.

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Patrick AtaI received the devastating news of Ibs’ passing from his sister, Asabe, on Tuesday (22nd of June). At first I simply could not take it in. I dimlyrecall repeating to her, ‘but I was just with him. It can’t be’, as if this would somehow cancel the news. I now realise that this allowed me tomaintain my composure whilst speaking to her but even now it still has not fully sunk in. Over the past couple of days, I’ve found myself atwork or at home wanting to drop him a quick e-mail or a text message about the football, or what’s happened during the day, just as we alwaysdid. It still seems unreal to me to know there will be no response.

I first met Ibs as we called him, in boarding school in England, twenty six years ago. We were in the same boarding house at Millfield (Eton-hurst). Ibs was a year ahead of me; he was the deputy Head of House and we ended up on the same dining table. He was the Head of Table– a pretty imposing and authoritative figure. Nobody messed with Ibs. Being West African rivals, however, I sat just to his left, and for thefirst few weeks, we had a cordial but somewhat distant relationship. He was not a man for small talk, as most of you well know. He wasstraightforward and direct, sometimes even blunt, and over the twenty six years that I have had the honour of knowing him, this has neverchanged. At school, he was never overly interested in food. He would normally let a junior do the serving up at table except on the day (oncea week) when we were served apple pie. He would gesture for the pie to be passed down the table and would give each person a serving -whatever remained was his. When, four weeks later, Ibs offered me part of the leftover apple pie, I knew I had broken through and togetherwe embarked on a journey that has developed into a unique and special friendship.

Like everyone present, my memories of Ibs and the times we spent together would fill the pages of a novel. This is not just a funeral; it isalso the celebration of his life and there are a few that I would be especially proud to share with you. I’ve tried to put these together in somesort of order that mirrors our friendship as it unfolded.

School: Ibs was a passionate sportsman. He was goalkeeper for the First Team in the year that Millfield got to the finals of the Schools’ Cham-pionship. He was a leader, both on and off the pitch. Although firm and tough, he always had a sense of humour and a keen sense of fair playand looked out for and protected youngsters from being picked on and bullied.

University: Although I did not see much of Ibs when he went to Sussex University for his LLB, the stories we heard about him lighting upthe party scene in Brighton were legendary. Suffice it to say that he left his mark on the city. We met up again when he came to Bristol Uni-versity for his LLM. I was in my final year at the time. Suddenly, with Ibs’ arrival, a whole different life opened itself up to me through him.Although clearly a social being in every fibre of his body, Ibs was also very disciplined in one particular regard. No matter how late the partyended, Ibs would be in the library at nine a.m. the following morning and would work throughout the day. The rest of us would be sleepingoff hangovers; Ibs would be at work. After a full day’s studying, he was ready to party again. Schwarz Burgers in St Paul’s in Bristol wasour first stop of the evening. Looking back on what we spent there, we should have bought shares.

The Iceman: When I left to continue my studies in London, Ibs remained in Bristol for another year. Unfortunately, during this year, he alsogot his heart broken and showed another side to himself. Big Mak, as he was known to us by then, was really affected by this and showedthat despite his robust and firm character, there was a soft and sometimes vulnerable heart beneath. I was quite concerned and we spent a fairbit of time on the phone together. In the usual manner, we tried to make light of it, laugh about things, but we both knew, deep down, wecared. After a while, he seemed to be getting over it. He would ring up with the words, ‘the Iceman is back in town. What are you up to?’ Hewould jump into his Toyota Celica and drive the 120 miles to London. Sadly, by the time he arrived, the ice would invariably have meltedand we would sit down with no real enthusiasm to do anything other than chat or watch TV. Forever afterwards, in our circle of friends, Ibswas also affectionately known as the Iceman.

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Kingswood & Vancouver: Ibs threw the best parties. At least once a year there was a gathering in the family house in Kingswood, justsouth of London, while his father (of blessed memory) was still with us. These parties were the highlight of the year and would be talkedabout for weeks afterwards. Good music, good food and lots of ‘talent’. There was a small wooded area of the garden known as ‘Vancouver’,for reasons that are still unclear to me. A walk in the woods or a visit to Vancouver with talent that stood up to scrutiny before beer gogglesdistorted our perspective was a feature of Mak’s parties. He was the ultimate host!

Chambers and hob-knobbing: Ibs completed his Bar exams and did his pupillage in Andrew Sutcliffe’s chambers. He sailed through thisand made some lasting friendships and contacts during this period. Once again, Ibs showed me another side to his character. As was the casewith most trainee barristers, Ibs was often hard up. But he never complained. He simply put his head down and, with his customary disciplineand determination, he got through this period. After passing his exams, decided to work in-house. We coined many a phrase to describe thisperiod in both our lives. Hob-knobbing was one of those phrases. His chambers were just up the road from where I was studying at King’s,on the Strand. As we both shared a passion for food, invariably the topic of what either of us was having for lunch would come up. Timesbeing what they were, Ibs’ lunch often consisted of a packet of complimentary chocolate biscuits – hob-knobs. The cleaning lady at chambersnoticed the empty wrappers and would always leave an extra packet for him. Years later I would hear Ibs tell other people that I often invitedhim to lunch because I’d noticed his dietary and financial restrictions. This unique combination of humility, dedication and appreciation forthe little gestures is just one aspect of this extraordinary man that I will never forget.

Work: Despite his formidable intellect, Ibs never believed you won something by being smarter than anyone else. At work, just as he hadbeen at university, he was diligent and thorough and would read through documents word-for-word, from cover-to-cover, to get full under-standing of the issues at stake. Only then would he commit to an opinion.

Although I was never professionally involved, and am not a lawyer, I believe he was rarely wrong when he stated his position.

Spain: After leaving GE Capital, Ibs took some time off and decided to learn Spanish. He had been flirting with the language through theyears and had taken a few classes. In his usual manner, once he’d made a decision, he didn’t do it by halves. Not only did he move to Madridfor a couple of years, but he also did a Masters degree in law, in Spanish. What else can I say except that he excelled too at this? He completedand got his degree and established a whole new spectrum of friends, some of whom he actually visited for a birthday party on the weekendbefore his abrupt and shocking departure.

Friends: Lastly, and perhaps most poignantly, Ibs touched the lives of everyone he met. Although he was sometimes slow to open up, onceyou were friends, you were friends for life. We did a lot of travelling together over the years – Cayman, Havana, Shanghai, Oslo, Stockholm,Madrid, Seville, Accra and Lagos, to name a few places . . . we had plans for a trip to Ghana in the next few months to progress on a projectwe’ve been working on – a sort of holiday/retirement home for him, and we’d been talking about Singapore in September to watch the GrandPrix. He was the most loyal, trusting and non-judgmental person I have had the pleasure and honour of knowing. He was a true wing-man,someone who would stand by your side unfailingly. I was staying with Ibs last year when I received the news of my cancer; in his usual, calmmanner, he helped me look ahead and prepare for the fight. He was an absolute rock at a time I needed it most. Those of us gathered heretoday are a proud testament to the wide range and broad spectrum of friends whom he amassed over the years. The reaction of everyone tothe news of his passing, even those who met him only fleetingly, reveal just what sort of a man he was; one of a kind, and a man of the worldin the best possible sense.

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Now I must apologise. At the end of this, I realise that I have more written for myself, to remind me about the man I have loved, admiredand now lost, and less for others. Perhaps it is always this way. I hope, however, that what I have managed to piece together gives all of yousome more insight into this intelligent, warm, calm, confident and social character who has undoubtedly touched each of your lives in a dif-ferent way. After my own illness, I was sure I would leave these shores before him and I feel robbed and somehow cheated that he has beensnatched from us without warning. But I am consoled in some tiny measure by the knowledge that Ibs lived life to the full. He gave everythingone hundred percent, and more. I know that life must continue in the same generous, spirited vein that he believed in and I will forever begrateful that I shared a part of his life, and he a part of mine. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to spend time with him just a few daysbefore this sad event. Ibs – you were my brother by choice and I miss you dearly. Fly the flag and keep it in the family! You alone will know what I mean! At thistime my thoughts and prayers are with the family. We share your sense of loss.

Idowu AdebowaleMy friend. My brother from another mother. We met 27 years ago in Millfield school, and then in Brighton, and so very many shared mem-ories, such ease in our relationship, no falling out and never a cross word. A man that would put himself out, do anything, go anywhere foranyone he cared about. We spent three days together in May, and as usual, we spoke about everything, considered big life changes. We spokeabout these things again, at length, on June 16th. We planned to meet up again the first week in August. The best laid plans of mice and men.I have heard about people being numb with shock, but until this, I did not truly understand what it meant. How someone so full of life, sostrongly a part of the fabric of one's life, can so suddenly no longer be there. I mourn you, my family mourns you. I pray that your goodnesswill continue to be celebrated. I will miss you deeply. God bless you, my friend. God rest you.

Iman and Aliya AdebowaleUncle Ibs, we will miss you dearly, wish we could have seen you once more. You treated us like your daughters. Uncle Ibs we will truly missyou.

Kwabena AkosaThe first time I heard of Ibs, it was after what I thought had been a heavy night of partying at Loughborough University. I was a freshmanand nights like that were new to me. As we recounted tales from the night before, a mutual friend piped up and said “last night was nothing,I have a friend who would have drunk what we collectively drunk on his own. He really knows how to party”. The legend was born.

The first time I saw him, it was in the early evening on a Friday night at Victoria Station in London. I didn’t know what he looked like, butI had been asked to look out for him at the station by our mutual friend Daps (who was as usual, over an hour late). The fellow, who waswaiting impatiently, was well dressed, had on a designer pair of glasses, and managed to look imposing, moody, intellectual and large all atthe same time. I admit that I was a little intimidated so I did not approach him – instead, I waited for another hour for Daps, who did not showup, and then left the station. I assume Mak similarly gave up soon afterwards and also left.The first time I actually met him, it was at a New Years Eve party in Swiss Cottage in 1990. We got to the party either just before or just aftermidnight, we had been travelling for over an hour and we were thirsty. Mak presumably had arrived early, had a few drinks, schmoozed someof the ladies, and had been given the all important task of guarding the fridge. We dived into the kitchen to grab some drinks to make up forlost time (a public transport journey from Islington on New Year’s Eve!). To our dismay, we realised that all the drinks were in the fridge,and there was no way past the big man. We tried every trick in the book, but he steadfastly refused to budge or give us a drink. His stockanswer to our increasingly desperate requests was that “you scavengers should have brought your own.”

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Mak, as he is know in my household was first and foremost a gentleman – gracious to a fault, considerate, knowledgeable but above all,fiercely loyal to his friends. He had a strong sense of what was right and wrong, and only really became impatient if he thought someonewas taking “liberties”. He never had a bad word to say about anyone otherwise.Above all Mak to me was a socialite. A fun guy to be with, and to be around. He had the knack of knowing which trendy bars or clubs hadopened in London during the nineties, and as always able to get in. He enjoyed travelling especially regular, short weekends to European citieswhere he would stay up for the entire weekend in some cases. When invited, I gratefully tagged along.

Mak was particular about etiquette when he was out on the town. “when you get into the bar, just order a bottle of champagne and drink itslowly, it always gets the ladies interested in you”. He regularly talked about the “Nine O’Clock Watershed” - never approach a group of ladiesin a bar before nine o’clock, you need to give them a chance to warm up”. Armed with pearls of wisdom like that, how could I possibly fail?Mak to me was a great all round talent - highly educated, analytical and detail orientated. He trained as a lawyer and then carved out a highlysuccessful career with both General Electric and eventually the Axa Group. He operated effectively wherever he went. His diverse range offriends, work colleagues and acquaintances is testament to his ability to transcend function, background, colour, and social status. He was abig man, with a big talent.

I, for one am immensely grateful to have known him. I will sorely miss his strength, his humour, his candour and his wisdom. Above all Iam grateful to him for one particular thing: he introduced me to my wife in the early Nineties. Farewell, big man, farewell.

Sarah Davies-AkosaI met Ibs in the autumn of 1985, at the start of my University career at Sussex – we were both studying law, although I was a Euro Deb andhe was a serious Engams student! I have vague recollections of seeing this person being driven onto campus on our first day in a rather largeblue Rolls Royce, although Ibs denies ever having been in such a car! From the outset, I warmed to Ibs, he had a very dry sense of humourand was always a very astute judge of character. If you didn’t know him he could appear aloof and even intimidating, but what you wouldsoon realise was that he was assessing the crowd and waiting for his moment to shine. He was very witty and great fun to be around. He wasgenerous with his friends and wary of those he thought were taking advantage; protective and fiercely loyal.

His great love of vodka was legendary. As a first year I worked with a friend, Camilla, in one of the campus bars and we became incrediblypopular as we were a ‘soft touch’ when it came to giving out free drinks to our friends! Ibs became a permanent fixture at the bar on the nightswe were working and never seemed to be affected by the large quantities he imbibed.

Over the quarter of a century that I knew Ibs, I have only happy memories of him, and in our house the mere mention of his name brings awry smile. It didn’t matter how infrequently you saw him, he could just slip back into the easy banter that seemed to come so naturally tohim.

He has been an enduring and omnipresent character throughout the whole of my adult life, and he was responsible for introducing me to myhusband (although he was very reluctant to give out my number and grilled him before relinquishing the details)!

Fortunately I was able to enjoy Ibs’ company recently and for this I am very grateful. I still cannot believe that he is gone, but he will liveon in my memory forever. He was a very special friend and I will miss him dearly.

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Dapo AwotesuThere are only a handful of people who come into your world, and touch your life in a dramatic fashion. Some people are just flickers oflight during a long life, while others are a consistent glows for years. For me, Ibs was a consistent glow, and he was a good friend for closeto 30 years. I can't believe I am writing a eulogy for you this year, it only seems a short time ago you lost your dad and I lost my mum, andwe were there for each other. I will miss you very much my friend. Sleep well.

Hewett BensonWe first met almost 30 years ago when playing football for our great alma mater, Millfield School. Football was a love we both shared thenand continued to share long after school. You were always very diplomatic in your disposition but quietly extremely determined. This clearlyshone through when you were made first team goal keeper despite your size. I recall you getting knocked out when you collided with thegoal post. We laughed about this event even until recently when we spent hours reminiscing about old times when last you were in Lagos acouple of months ago. I also remember our football tour to Germany and you giving me the nickname 'Biscuit Benson' when I took on therest of the first team for throwing biscuits at me.You intervened to take sides with me and then calmed me down. Even though I neverforgave you because that nickname stuck with me on the field until I left the school. You had a very good sense of humour and you were acalming influence to me. I remember our early days post university and job hunting with no hope in sight. Who would have guessed we wouldbe where we are today with you evolving into an extremely successful legal counsel. You taught me the value of friendship by alwaysreaching out to me from wherever you were. I miss you my brother but I take comfort that you have gone to a better place.

Anthony Akiwumi (Pix)Ibs's passing has been truly difficult to fathom. I had literally seen him on Friday 18th June when he'd made a special effort to come out tosee me on one of my quarterly forays into London. We met relatively late that night and as usual because of who were, it was as if no timehad elapsed. He was, witty, enjoying London and full of the zest for life. We said farewell in the small hours of the morning and his last wordsto me were" Pix, I am off to Madrid I'll see you next week!".

As my father always says, "Man proposes but God disposes." Reconciling that heartfelt parting with the permanence of his passing willalways be puzzling. How fickle life is, how sad to lose a brother, he always referred to me, indeed to all of us as "My brother"! He was largerthan life, gregarious and frankly I did not know anyone who had a bad word to say about him. I was deeply honored that he flew all the wayto Cayman for my birthday; I regret though that I could not make his.

The world is an incomplete place without him. Struck down in the prime of his life and one of my direct contemporaries, it is so hard to un-derstand that he will no longer be here with the boys. Perhaps though, we are not meant, as mere mortals to comprehend the plans that havebeen laid out for us by our Maker. Perhaps it was intended, all along, that Ibs would shine his light in our lives and make us all the richer forknowing him, for recalling his trademark anecdotes and his infectious humour? Collectively we have been enriched by his friendship, loveand presence.

All of us who knew him will miss him dearly. To those of us who remain, we must re-commit to the simple things that make this journeythrough this place we call earth worthwhile. Take time to reconnect with your friends and with your families; take time to care for and loveall. Take the time to appreciate the splendour of the gift of life and the fellowship of mankind. If we do all these things we will have begunthe task of honouring the memory of our dear "honorary Ghanaian" brother.

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Luke CollinsBig Man, Big Mak, Danny, Ibs. A man of many names and a friend with wonderful qualities. Danny and I were supposed to be on a beachin Miami this week, so actually attending his funeral on Friday is just unbelievable. My sense of loss is real and deep. It's hard to avoid feel-ings of anger and frustration at the tragic loss of a friend so early in his life. The immediate sense of shock and grief, however, is slowinggiving way to thoughts of privilege and good fortune.

There can’t have been that many Nigerian / Irish double acts as successful as ours over the last decade. He was the ‘Big Man’. I was the‘Big Man from the Small Country’. I was promoted from being a 'wing-man' on our nights out to a 'co-pilot'. I was reprimanded with greatlaughter for ‘stealing his lines’, using his famous chat-up lines, but never delivering them with quite the same aplomb as Daniel.

We holidayed together frequently. We met-up in London all the time. The weekends were great fun, but so too were the lesser knownweekday meetings over a glass of juice where we’d talk about life, work, politics, economics, family.

They say you can tell a man by his friends and I was always immensely proud and privileged to count Daniel one of my best and closestfriends. When I give thanks to God for the gifts that I have in my life, Danny will always be on that list. He was caring and thoughtful, gen-erous and loving. Always quick to shine a light on the positive, always there to offer good counsel and advice. He was honest and loyal.The wrapping for all of these wonderful qualities was the most fantastic sense of humour. I didn't mind being the material for so many ofhis jokes!!

He will be missed, but he will live on forever in our hearts and minds because he has touched and enriched our souls.

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CELEBRATION OF LIFE

APPRECIATION The entire Makele family is extremely

grateful to you for your prayers of comfort, for being with us at this time, and for your

presence at the funeral events of our late beloved brother Ibrahim Daniel.

May God bless and keep you all.