Educare Trust Remembers, Pays Tribute to Kolapo Godfrey Oyefeso (1960–1999)

 

EDUCARE TRUST REMEMBERS, PAYS TRIBUTE TO KOLAPO GODFREY OYEFESO (1960–1999)

 

By Wole Adedoyin

Educare Trust, a youth and community development centre dedicated to promoting sustainable development through education, civic engagement, and empowerment, has remembered one of its pioneer members, Kolapo Godfrey Oyefeso (1960 – 1999). Oyefeso, who served as the first Assistant Secretary of the Trust, remains a shining light in the history of the organisation. His life, though brief, continues to inspire generations of young leaders and writers across Nigeria.

In a statement released by the Programme Director of Educare Trust, Mr. Folorunsho Moshood, the organisation described Kolapo Oyefeso as a visionary youth leader and a literary gem who left an indelible mark on the minds of all who knew him. “Kolapo was not only a dedicated youth worker but also an exceptional writer who used his craft to promote moral values and cultural heritage,” the statement read.

A gifted scholar, Kolapo Godfrey Oyefeso graduated with First Class Honours at the remarkable age of 19 and went on to become an award-winning author. Tragically, he passed away on May 27, 1999—Children’s Day—at the young age of 39. His death was a profound loss not only to Educare Trust but also to the larger literary and youth development community.

To honour his memory and contributions, Educare Trust named its central library the Kolapo Oyefeso Bookateria, a space dedicated to learning, reading, and intellectual growth. The Bookateria remains a living tribute to Oyefeso’s passion for books and education, and serves as a constant reminder of the values he championed during his lifetime.

Kolapo Oyefeso is the celebrated author of The Goddess of the Kitchen and Other Stories: Folktales from Africa, a vibrant collection of twenty folktales that promote moral teachings through African storytelling. The stories, accompanied by vivid illustrations from his wife, Rosalie-Ann Modder, explore themes such as kindness, humility, and justice using animal characters like the tortoise, elephant, crocodile, and baboon.

He also authored The Wind and the Tree, a short but insightful work published in April 2000 by Spectrum Books Ltd. Though less well-known, the book adds to his literary legacy and exemplifies his commitment to storytelling as a tool for societal development and transformation.

Educare Trust urges the youth of today to emulate the values Kolapo Oyefeso stood for—academic excellence, social responsibility, and the courage to use one's talents for the betterment of society. As the Trust continues to grow in its mission, the memory of Kolapo Godfrey Oyefeso remains deeply embedded in its foundation and spirit.