Abdul-Muiz Olanrewaju Animashaun, fondly known as Lanre, was born on the 2nd of April 1965, to the late Chief Dr Anjorin Animashaun of Gbagura, Abeokuta and Mrs Sikirat Oyinkansola Animashaun of the Fakunle family of Itafaji, Lagos Island.
He was the last of five siblings, Lola, Bola, Kayode and Ronke being his seniors.
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Lanre was born in Lagos after his parents returned to Nigeria, following a successful sojourn in the UK. Along with his siblings, living at Mogaji Close in Surulere, Lanre attended Unilag Staff School where he was a popular and intelligent pupil.
From there he proceeded to Government College Lagos for Secondary School at the age of 11.
Lanre was a day student and mingled with an outstanding group of boys from all over Lagos, but mainly Surulere. Those friendships have endured until the present day.
Lanre scaled through, gaining admittance to Dover College in the UK to study A Levels as a boarder.
This prestigious school developed his academic prowess and social skills further and boosted his ability to engage with people at the highest echelons of society.
Lanre enjoyed life in England, where all his siblings were also based at the time, and they spent holidays together, with regular visits from Nigeria by their parents to check on them.
Lanre then returned to Nigeria to study Education at the University of Lagos, where once again he excelled due to his intellectual brilliance, making his parents proud.
At the same time, Lanre was enjoying an active social life both inside and outside the university.
His capacity for making and keeping good friends was honed during this period, as he mingled with his peers with ease, bringing his wit and charm to every situation.
Eventually Lanre decided to return to the UK, studied Law at Thames Valley University and established his real estate business in Wembley, where he quickly gained a reputation as a hard worker and a resourceful entrepreneur.
One fateful evening in Guildford in 1995, Lanre met a beautiful, bright young lady called Niina who was visiting the UK from Finland.
That was the beginning of a wonderful relationship which eventually led to marriage. Lanre and Niina have been an example of a very happy union of two soulmates who have joined together to become one.
They settled down to married life in both Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria and Hatfield, UK, where they brought up their three wonderful children, Omar, Aisha and Aliyah, who are a blessing to everyone who knows them.
Lanre found time at an advanced age to study a Masters Degree in Law which had always been his ambition, and passed with flying colours.
He continued working successfully in real estate and expanding his portfolio of properties and clients, alongside his wife, while his children also excelled at their studies, achieving First class degrees, and impressing family and friends with their calm, caring and respectful dispositions.
Lanre was keen on classic cars, eating well, particularly Nigerian and Chinese food, travelling with his family, and latterly very interested in the History and culture of Yorubaland, and particularly of the Egba people.
He continued to be very sociable with a wide circle of friends all over the world.
Lanre was a devoted Muslim who took his faith very seriously. Islam was a central part of his identity that he meticulously upheld regardless of where he was, whether in the UK, Nigeria, or anywhere else in the world.
His faith extended beyond personal practice, also raising his children in the ways of Islam.
May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus and forgive his sins.
Source: Read more at www.wikipedia.org
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
