The Afrograms family is in mourning following the passing of Alhaji Gbolahan A. Adeniyi, popularly known as Bashorun, one of the association’s revered elder statesmen and founding fathers. The news was received with deep sorrow.
As a student, he was a prominent footballer. His fellow students nicknamed him “AWO” for his outstanding shooting on the pitch.
In accordance with Islamic rites, he was buried on the day of his passing.
Tribute from a Past National President
An Iroko has fallen. Bashorun Gbolahan Adeniyi was an icon and a gentleman achiever, a President of Presidents. He was the President of Club 5762 for many years and later became the National President from 1991 to 1995.
I had the privilege to serve as National General Secretary during his first term as National President (1991–1993), having completed two terms as General Secretary.
It was during his tenure that the school turned 40 in 1995. To mark the milestone, he mobilised the Old Students to construct an Alumni Affairs Office, the first of its kind, which enhanced the image of the Association. That office would later become the magnificent Senator Ibikunle Amosun Hall, constructed by Chief Mutiu Adebowale many years later. This is why an Alumni Affairs Office was retained as part of the Hall, where executive and other meetings are held today.
Bashorun Adeniyi, like many other founding fathers, was passionate about the Old Students’ Association. In spite of his age, he was still present at the 2025 Annual General Meeting. To say we shall miss him would be an understatement.
We thank God that he lived a fulfilled life, a life of impact, a life of service to God and humanity. We commiserate with the National President, Bola Shittu, and the entire Afrograms Alumni Association. May God comfort his immediate family, Club 5762 and the entire Afrograms family.
Good night, our dear Bashorun Gbolahan Adeniyi, Past National President of African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta Old Students’ Association.
Deacon Olubodun Oke, Past National President:
Afro Alumni Pay Their Last Respects
It was 4:00 p.m. on a day heavy with sorrow when Modele Street became a place of grief, memories and final farewells. Visitors came not for celebration but to bid farewell to a great son of Afrograms, whose departure has left an aching void in many hearts.
Those who came to pay their last respects included members of the AFRO Board of Trustees (BOT), old schoolmates, distinguished alumni and other notable personalities whose lives had crossed paths with the departed. They brought treasured memories, unspoken gratitude and the weight of years spent in shared fellowship. Handshakes became embraces, and memories flowed as mourners reminded one another that death may silence a voice but cannot erase the echoes of a meaningful life.
Modele Street became a meeting point between yesterday’s memories and today’s painful reality. Afrograms had come to honour one of its own and to show that the bond forged within the walls of African Church Grammar School endures beyond the grave. As the gathering slowly dispersed, one truth remained clear: a true Afrogram never walks alone, even in the journey to eternity.
Share Your Tribute
Members of the Afrograms family are invited to share tributes, fond memories and words of condolence in honour of our departed elder statesman. All submissions will be collated and presented collectively as the tribute of the Afrograms family by the National President at the 8th-day Fidau prayer session in his honour.
Afronews aims to collect 87 tributes to mark his 87 years. The comments will be printed and handed over to the family. Please leave your comment in the comment section. Tributes are welcome from:
Individuals close to him
Branches of Afrograms
Clubsets
May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and comfort the bereaved family. Ameen.
Working closely with him and taking the meeting minutes gave me a front-row view of his dedication. He didn’t just contribute immensely to the club; he laid down a solid foundation and handed over a rich legacy for the next generation.
I will deeply miss his presence, his wisdom, and the structure he brought to our meetings.
​May Almighty Allah grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort all who mourn him. Ameen.
Rest in peace.
Akowe egbe
Club 5762
Olawale Olamide
Bashorun’s passing is a great loss to Afrograms and all who had the privilege of knowing him. A respected elder statesman whose legacy of wisdom and service will remain evergreen. Though death has silenced his voice, his worthy contributions will continue to speak. May Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and comfort the bereaved family.
The great icon bids the world farewell. Bashorun Adeniyi, rest in peace.
How are the Mighty falling !!! A BG Fish has just left the Big Ocean for the world beyond. Alhaji Gbolahan Adeniyi’s demise is a big loss to the Old students of AFROGRAMS, Abeokuta. An elderly statesman, an enigmatic and gigantesque personality, a prototype of a committed African leader.; the history of Afrograms Old Students Association will not be complete without the name of our departed Statesman. He has come, he has seen and he has conquered. I wish Alhaji Gbolahan Adeniyi a sweet eternal rest at the bosom of Allah his Creator. May the Almighty God give all family members, friends and schoolmates the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss of our dear Papa Alhaji Bashorun Gbolahan Adeniyi.. Amen.
Tribute to the man called PA Alhaji Bashorun Gbolahan Adeniyi. He started well and he finished well. He was a leader, a mentor, an achiever, a blinder of human, a lover of peace. A man of many part.
Afrograms old students association will miss you, but one thing am sure is that your legacy will live with us forever.
You have lived well.
May your beautiful soul continue to rest in peace.
Bashorun Gbolahan Adeniyi was a man of immense ability.He was a colossus in Afrograms Old Students Association family.His commitment to the Old Students’ Association matters was second to none.
A team player,a good listener and and an organizer of men,Bashorun Adeniyi was one of those founding fathers that held the cord of Afrograms OSA fabric together,ensuring that youngrr ones who would otherwise have stayed back voluntarily gravitated towards the association .
As National Presiden between 1991-1995,,he in conjunction with other committed members of the association constructed the first Alumni Affairs Hall.in to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the school..That same hall is what later turned to the modern Senator Ibikunle Amosun we see and proudly use today..
His commitment became a reference point whenever we needed to encourage old students who were not yet part of the association and that indeed yielded rnormous result.
Bashorun Adeniyi was a motivator.,an articulate,cerebral and extremely humble person full of compassion for and to those whose path crossed his while he was here with us.
Personally,Basorun’s impact my business cannot be quantified.Back in year 2003,without any promptings he introduced me to places and companies which ordinarily I wouldn’t have met or known.in the publishing industry..Till date i still enjoy the patronage of two of those organizations
Bashorun Gbolahan Adeniyi came,he saw,he conquered.
The Afrograms Old Students’ Association family has lost a very great,illustrous man.
We can only wish him eternal rest in the blossom of his creator.
ADIEU Bashorun
May the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and give his family the strength to bear this great loss. His legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those he touched. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Ameen.
Mr Gbolahan Adeniyi was a great man, his passing away stunned ever body may, his soul rest in perfect peace
ABRAHAM OSHO (SENIOR PREFECT BOY 2026/27 ACADEMIC SESSION)
Mr Gbolahan Adeniyi was a great man, his passing away was a shock to many. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
ABIDOYE OYINLOLA (SENIOR PREFECT GIRL 2026/27 ACADEMIC SESSION)
PA. Gbolahan Adeniyi was an amazing father, and one of the major backbone that supports and encourages students, especially in areas that relate to academic excellence and moral discipline. His immense contribution to the successful launch of my book, “From Fear To Fire” , cannot be overemphasized. Thank you so much for your efforts and fatherly guidance while you were here with us.
Rest in peace, Grandpa.
​​​Oloyede Oluwafemisola (EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, AFRONEWS 2026/27 ACADEMIC SESSION)
Mr. Gbolahan Adeniyi was an exceptional supporter of students—a true “Grandpa” who always put students’ interests above his own.
​Thank you, sir, for your unwavering:
​Support
​Encouragement
​Empowerment
​Afro News deeply misses you, Grandpa.
​Rest in perfect peace, sir.