Oluwatoyin (means God is Worthy to Be Praised!) was born on Friday the 6th of June 1969 at the Glossup Hospital in Cardiff, Wales - to Adegboyega Bolarinwa Claudius and Olusola Adenike Salako. Oluwatoyin was a boisterous and healthy baby. The few times he perhaps had sniffles or anything which concerned his parents enough to take him to the GP – Oluwatoyin’s parents ended up looking foolish as he charmed the particular Doctor on duty, with smiles and howls of laughter and had them thereafter being proclaimed as over concerned, fussy parents! The sound of sirens by any of the services – police, ambulance, fire service – always sent Baby Salako rocking forward and backwards in excitement. Going to church on Sunday was predictable when walking past the imposing Cardiff Castle – as the sight of the stones and statues on it would send Baby Salako shouting “woo woo” in reference to the images of dogs on the Castle. Oluwatoyin gave his parents, SO much joy! Then in July 1972 – the family relocated to Luton, Bedfordshire, where Oluwatoyin attended The Moorlands School. Although the only black boy, he stood out amongst his peers for reasons other than the colour of his skin. As well as being intelligent, inquisitive and highly able – he played an integral part in all aspects of school life. Most notably, he enjoyed participating in assemblies and school plays with a confidence that belied his young age. With the addition of a younger sibling, Oluwabunmi to play and fight with - the family moved lock, stock and barrel in January 1976, back to Nigeria – the Motherland! Oluwatoyin continued his primary education at Tounwase and Grange School, Ikeja. He again thrived and stood out amongst his peers. Of course the fact that Oluwatoyin, having grown up in the UK and was extremely inquisitive - did not particularly go down well with some of his teachers or elders! Oluwatoyin’s secondary school education was at The Federal Government College, Ijanikin. MORE INFO FROM OLA Now with further additional siblings to the family, in the form of Oluwaseun and Oluwasanu, divine intervention caused the family to again, move lock, stock, and barrel back to England – a country which one could say was always Oluwatoyin’s natural habitat! He was particularly happy to be back “home”. Oluwatoyin attended Luton Sixth Form College, where he did his A Levels. He again excelled and attained great results, which landed him at The University of Sussex, in Brighton. He studied BA Economics. Sussex was a special landmark in the life of Oluwatoyin. It was here that he met his brother from another mother, Ayo Akinluyi and a wonderful circle of loyal friends. Oluwatoyin worked hard and had FUN at Sussex! From active participation in the organisation of Afro Carribean society events to MORE FROM AYO Following his degree, he went straight to the University of Exeter to obtain a Masters degree in Investment and Finance. Oluwatoyin found the finance part of the course very challenging and was on the verge of perhaps giving up, when into his life came the heaven sent and anointed woman of God, Dr., Mrs E.M Okike – then an assistant lecturer, studying for her PHD and now the Head of Department of Business and Management at Sunderland University. The thrusting of Dr. Okike into the life of Oluwatoyin was no accident. With Almighty God knowing the challenges that Oluwatoyin would later face, Dr. Okike in essence became a second Mother to Oluwatoyin. It’s no surprise then, that with Dr. Okike now in Oluwatoyin’s life – he went on to pass the finance part of the course with flying colours and obtained his Masters. No words can describe the prayers, love and encouragement Dr. Okike bestowed on Oluwatoyin. Following Exeter, Oluwatoyin entered The City of London, to work as an Investment Analyst at Clerical Medical. A position well sought after, by the many others who applied. He again excelled and came to be known as a friendly, conscientious, reliable and hardworking young man. It was in 1998, that Oluwatoyin was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis - a neurological medical condition unknown to most people - including Oluwatoyin himself and members of his family. Despite the machinations of the enemy, Oluwatoyin with his strong faith held on to the belief that he would be healed and never stopped reciting bible verses. Three of his favourites were: Isaiah 53:5 - By His stripes I am healed Habakkuk 2:3 - For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry Genesis 50:20 –You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. Oluwatoyin always paraphrased this as “What the enemy meant for evil, God WILL use for His Glory”. Hallelujah! May 2004 saw the marriage of Oluwatoyin to Oluwatoyin Omotola Craig. In order to re-emphasise the fact that the Lord was truly worthy to be praised in his life, he had to go and marry his namesake! To God be The Glory. Oluwatoyin faced the challenge of MS gallantly – never once complaining or asking “why me?” If anything, he was so thankful for the unfurling plans of God in his life, who knowing all that was to come, had prepared the way. He had prepared the way in terms of the planting of prayerful and faithful people around him and the family. Oluwatoyin’s earthly journey highlighted such fortitude, strength of character and grace – such that all who met him were deeply touched and encouraged by his spirit. Even though prayers were geared towards the physical healing of Oluwatoyin, 2 Corinthians 4:14-18 perfectly sums up the true healing that had already taken place in Oluwatoyin Morohunkeji Salako at his passing, on that afternoon of the 27th of May 2014 and gives instruction and hope, to those of us still running our race. We thank Almighty God for the privilege of having Oluwatoyin Morohunkeji Babafemi, in our lives as our son, brother and uncle. To say we are incredibly proud of you is no exaggeration. You fought the good fight of faith. Sleep well in the bosom of your Heavenly Father. Until we meet again. The Adegboyega Salako Family Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. To God be The Glory!