An unusual scenario played out in London on Wednesday, 26 August, 2020, when Tina, the widow of the leader of the Nigerian Community in the United Kingdom, Otunba (Dr.) Oladapo Oshun-Williams, chased his first son, Tolulope and daughter, Simi away from their father’s burial.
The embarrassing event prevented the children of the prominent London socialite from performing burial rites for their late father.
It was revealed that Tina, expressly ordered that the children from Williams’ previous marriage be barred from the program.
“Tina asked the security men to remove Dapo’s two other children from the burial ground and there was a huge scene. Eventually, Tolu and Simi, who were accompanied by their mother, were persuaded to allow Tina finish her tasks at the grave site. Later, they went back to pay their last respect to their father.
“Another issue is that the man died a Muslim, there was no record of him ever going to church or becoming a Christian but he ended up being buried as a Christian because Tina, who had only one daughter for him later in life, felt he should be buried as a Christian,” said a source.
The remains of Williams, the Otunba Tayese of Akokolabd, Ondo State, were laid to rest in Sidcup, South East London. The burial was a small and intimate ceremony, which was attended by just close family members and friends, including Otunba Wale Kalejaiye, founder of the Nigerian Think Tank Group, of which Williams was a former chairman and till his death, a Board of Trustees member.
The death of the highly popular chieftain and erudite socialite caused great ripples of grief among his many friends and fans, as well as several beneficiaries of his generosity and mentorship.
The much loved and highly respected leader died of heart attack on August 4, shortly after taking part in a Youth Empowerment Zoom Seminar organised by the “Agba Ko Ni Tan L’orile Oodua” Group.
It was gathered that Williams, who was an indigene of Lagos State, a qualified Architect, and a chartered surveyor, had said he was going to one of his construction sites. He granted an interview to Alistair Soyode of Ben TV and few minutes afterwards, he reportedly had an heart attack and died.
His wife, Tina was said to have begun to look for him 24 hours after.
The Police were informed of his disappearance and reports indicated that investigation started shortly after the police were informed that he was nowhere to be found.
Sources disclosed that the police couldn’t break into where he was last seen, and waited for another 48 hours because his car was in his office.
The Man, Dapo Williams
Dapo Williams, who was popularly known as DW was a high achiever and he had several accomplishments to his credit, including the Project Management of the Canary Wharf Building in London, NMC property portfolio management, and Facilities Maintenance and property management for several high profile organisations .
He was a corporate real estate consultant with a deep involvement in the Gas and Oil sector as a forecourt Petroleum products retailer.
Williams was also the founder of President Buhari Campaign Organisation.
DW was a real community activist who constantly sought to create the spirit of unity, cohesion and collaboration within the UK Diasporan community. That is why his popularity transcended the “elitist ” segment of the community. He was “at home” in any kind of event or gathering and his appeal was “universal” without being outlandish or loud. Many have described him as humble, kind, jovial and fashionable.
Williams will be mostly remembered by many community events, initiatives and projects organisers for his incredible generosity and encouraging spirit.
The impact of his sad death of will be felt by many especially those who knew him or were close to him for a very long time to come. He definitely left very big shoes that will be hard to fill.
Williams was a man of many parts, who was involved in many projects in his lifetime.
In an interview, he granted Ben Television shortly before his death, Williams revealed that he got to the United Kingdom in 1987.
He stated that he worked with Chevron Oil Producing and later worked as an architect in project sites in the United Kingdom.
Williams had studied Mechanical Engineering In Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Nigeria, but had to go for training in architecture when he got to the United Kingdom.
“I attended the University of Reddington in the United Kingdom to study Estate Management. I used to work for the King of Saudi Arabia and managed their properties in the United Kingdom.
“I later met with the Queen of England in 1999. After this, I became the owner of a petrol station in Kent, Cambridge, England. I used to work in the upstream sector in my days in Chevron, but selling petroleum is downstream,” he said.
Williams used the opportunity of the interview to advise the younger ones to learn trades even if they had money, while urging them to keep their vision and be flexible with their plans.
“You must note the 4Ps, which are Price, Place, Product, and People. Keep your 4Ps. Keep your overhead at minimum level, keep your vision in sight and learn from others,” he said.
Williams was a Nigerian from Lagos State. He was a qualified Architect, Chartered Surveyor and Commercially focused Real Estate FM strategist with over 35 years’ experience in the Real Estate procurement, Property FM and Building Construction industry. He was also a Petroleum Products Downstream Retailer in the Oil & Gas Sector.
Williams was a high achiever who has demonstrated his capabilities throughout his career. He develops property and facilities management solutions in response to commercial accommodation needs.
He was experienced in building architectural design, building construction project management, procurement and disposal of properties, building selection, lease management, dilapidation negotiations and renewable energy management.
Williams was experienced in building mechanical services surveying, design and installation (Qualified BS/QS) with a passion for the environment. He specializes in proactive and reactive actions in managing the effects of climate change within the low-carbon economy.
His expertise included working on Oil and Gas (on-shore/off-shore) Subsea Install Base & Dehydration location; Computer-Aided Architectural Drawing for crude oil pipeline operations and maintenance projects.
Williams was a motivator, an effective communicator and a member of the Association of Engineering Doctorates.
He is a researcher in the built environment arena, who enjoys the rigors of demanding challenges. He had vast experience in various industry sectors, namely; Oil and Gas, Health Services, Automotive, Construction, Education, Employment, Legal Advice and Guidance Services.
A member of the Nigerian Community Leadership Forum, Nigerian Think Tank Group, UK and also a patron to several charities in the UK, Williams was a role model and mentor to black youths in the African/Caribbean community in the UK.
He enjoyed his Formula 1 car racing (Ferrari), Golf and loved watching his beloved Arsenal FC.
Williams is survived by his wife Tina, three children, a grandson and siblings.
