Tribute: My first and final encounter with Yinka Adeparusi

Tribute: My first and final encounter with Yinka Adeparusi

Editor's Note: On Sunday November 13, 2016, Naij.com's award winning photojournalist Yinka Adeparusi disappeared from his home and was later confirmed dead in an accident. Since then, the journalism world had been mourning the untimely death of a true professional.  In this moving article, Bayo Olupohunda, Naij.com's Editor-in-chief describes his last encounter with Yinka Adeparusi who was buried on Saturday December 4, in Lagos.

Yinka's final journey to his resting place

I begin with one of my favourite poems:

No longer mourn for me when I am dead

Then you shall hear the surly sullen bell

Give warning to the world that I am fled

From this vile world with vilest worms to dwell;

-- Sonnet 71 by William Shakespeare

The journey

His reputation as a photojournalist passionate about creating compelling images preceded him like the gong of a town crier. But I never got to meet Yinka until that hot afternoon in September during a trip to Abuja. I had embarked on the journey in the company of Mr. Goke Olaegbe, NAIJ.com’s Country Director to receive an award on behalf of our company. As our plane touched down the runway, a maze of thoughts ran through my mind. Abuja had changed since I last visited the nation’s capital. But what has not changed is the way we are as a people.

Even the airport, which is a hub of local and international, is not befitting of a country reputed to be a continental giant. Mostly uncompleted, you wonder how long it will take to build an ultra-modern airport Nigerians can be proud of. But that is a story for another day. We arrived into the waiting hands Jerrywright Ukwu, the amiable Naij editor running the Abuja office. We were soon on the long stretch to the Abuja city center. As the cab sped through the endless stretch of boulevard toward the city center, I sank back into a familiar mood.  I gazed through the car window to behold a sprawling city ahead of me.  Then my thoughts centered on the expression I have heard so many times about the beauty of Abuja.

READ ALSO: Yinka Adeparusi: Portrait of a genius

Yet, the nation’s capital is a metaphor of a dysfunctional country with many of its cities as examples of future apocalypse. I had wondered too about how long it will take for Abuja to become another Lagos given the bedlam of its satellites towns.  Abuja is already one. I rue the lost opportunities. There are several indices of an emerging sustainable city missing here. The paradox was not lost on me.

The Famished road of Abuja

Abuja roads are beautiful, broad and smooth, yet there is an ominous, creepy feeling that clouded my sub conscious.  The roads seem to be a huge monster ready to devour its victims. Abuja roads on first impression seem like accident waiting to happen. I had complained to Jerry about the speed of motorists. Jerry, in his usual calm manner had responded, “Accidents happen a lot here o because the drivers are drive dangerously” As if to confirm my fears, I looked to the side and saw two drivers arguing over the wreckage of their cars.

As we inched towards the city, I had wondered how a city like Abuja did not have a connecting train station that takes passengers underground and on the surface to the city center. I had wondered why a light rail will not shuttle and drop travelers to and fro the airport and city center. That could have eased the pressure on the roads and reduce accidents and the hoards of Okada riders racing people to their untimely deaths. Thinking about the lost opportunities, I could only manage a sigh. Again, that will be a story for another day.  I was jolted out of my reverie by Mr Goke, who though tired, still managed to throw some banters amidst rancorous laughters.

Meeting Yinka Adeparusi

Our Abuja office located in Wuse area of the city welcomed us into its ambiance like a long lost relative.

I had marveled about its eerie serenity. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the Lagos office, the Abuja Naij  office seemed a newsroom in old Ikoyi. But it was also a perfect ambiance for creatives. Editors were warm and nice. But I had not met Yinka. He and Nnena Ibeh, another hardworking Naij editor had gone in chase of news to the courts in one of the many arraignments of by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Yinka and Nnena appeared in the evening and I was at once impressed by Yinka’s calm mien. He was true to type. He was warm and friendly but hardly said a word. You will also have to strain your ears to hear to him. True professionals let their works speak for them. I guess it was the same with this photographic muse, Yinka Adeparusi.

READ ALSO: Naij.com staff pay tribute to #YinkaAdeparusi: He was a true professional

A professional at work

Later, we headed to the venue of the awards at Transcorp Hilton where Yinka got to work. I watched him capture all the moments. He was spontaneous and reacted with instinct. He could not afford to let a memorable moment escape his lenses. Then an incident happened. While on stage collecting the award with the Country Director, we have missed a photo op with the Ooni of Ife, the Grand Patron of the event. Jerry had called our attention to it. We decided to walk back the long aisle to create the re-create the a lost scenario.

Again, like a true professional, Yinka had gone ahead of us and taken position. Among the batteries of photojournalist, he blended in seamlessly and took the evergreen shot that was later to become the highpoint of the trip. There was something about Yinka. Every time his camera flashes, he takes a look at the image. It came naturally. He wanted to be sure of the angles, he wanted to confirm if he had the right shot. We left the venue with the satisfaction that Yinka had documented history. In the office the next day, I arrived early to meet Yinka working on the images. He had begun post-production –editing, branding, labelling and sending to Jerry who was making the draft of the post to be used for the award story.

A night out with Yinka and Jerry

After a long day writing and editing in the newsroom, Jerry decided we hit the street to explore Abuja night life. I was excited. I had always loved the rhythms of a city night life. Everywhere I travel to, my itinerary would not be complete without an exploration of the night life. Night is the soul of the city. Abuja was not going to be different. So we hit a popular bar in the city center and settled to some hours of music and drinks. It was a good time in the company of Yinka and Jerry. But it was short too. Sometimes we drank in silence, at some other time we debated wide ranging issues.

Yinka wasn’t much of a talker. Great minds are like that. They prefer to let their works speak for them. No wonder his name was widely known within the short period he spent on earth.

READ ALSO: UPDATE: Naij.com's award winning photojournalist confirmed dead in accident

Saying goodbye and my only regret

We drowned our last cup and walked quietly out. Yinka and Jerry bid me good bye as I boarded a taxi back my hotel. As my taxi sped off, I looked back to see the disappearing images of the two until faded out of sight. How could I have known that the handshake with Yinka would be the last? How could I have known that the sit-out at the bar would be our last in the land of the living? Such is the mystery of life. My only regret is I did not take any picture of Yinka with on the day. But how could I have known that  that would be my last encounter with him in the land of the living? To the family of Yinka may God grant the fortitude to bear the loss. To friends, we can take solace in his legacy and for the Abuja staff of Naij who had worked with him. The void may be difficult to fill, but we are comforted that his legend lives.

Rest in Peace Yinka. You will forever be in our hearts.

Bayo Olupohunda