By Isaac Afolabi
On this day in 1994 Ekiti-born Olympic silver medalist Oluyemi Kayode,a shining light,lost his life at the age of 26 in an auto accident on the 1st of October, 1994 on his way to celebrate the 34th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence in Arizona, USA
Oluyemi Kayode was an athlete who specialised in sprints – 100 meters and 200 meters. The high point of his athletics career was at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games where he was part of the Nigerian 4×100 meteres quartet that won a silver medal for Nigeria
The feat of Kayode and other members of the relay team was celebrated all over the world as they went on to set a new African record (37.98s) at the time in the 4×100 metres relay race.
Unfortunately, the sun set for US-based Kayode, a native of Ado-Ekiti, when he died in an auto accident on October 1, 1994 on the 34th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence in Arizona, United States of America.
He was on his way to a venue where he and other Nigerians had scheduled to celebrate the 34th independence anniversary when another driver ran into his car, killing him in the process at the age of 26.
His remains were brought to his hometown by the Nigerian government on October 18, 1994 and he was buried amidst tears by Nigerians and many relatives and friends on October 19, 1994.
His mortal body was interred at Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church Cemetery, Oke-ila, Ado-Ekiti.
To immortalise him, the government of Ekiti named the then Ado-Ekiti sports stadium after him, hence, it became the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium.
Achievements:
He represented Nigeria in the African Championship more than three times (between 1993-1994) and won Gold medals🥇in 100 and 200 metres.
He was a member of the Nigerian relay team that won the won the silver🥈 medal for Nigeria at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.
He also participated in world competition between July and August 1994 in Canada and won Silver 🥈 and Gold🥇 medals in 100 metres and 200 metres respectively
Oluyemi Kayode was born to the family of Chief Balemo and Chief Alarierin, Oke-Ila Street, Ado Ekiti.
Rest on legend