The death of Femi Segun, former husband of Afrobeat dancer and daughter of the late great Fela Kuti, Yeni Kuti last week was one death many people never expected would come at this time.
Segun, a self-described humanist-turned-politician, who died of complications from multiple injuries sustained in a road accident while driving his power motor bike in Lagos a week ago, was full of life prior to his untimely death. He was said to have died in the early hours of March 21, 2014 at a Lagos hospital.
According to his LinkedIn page, Segun was up on till his shocking death, the CEO of Coltrane Nigeria Ltd, a ‘one-stop provider of multi-sector and ancillary logistic solutions.’ He was also the Director of Research and Protocol at the Lagos Black Heritage Festival from 2010 to 2013. He was a master compere and speaker of note.
Femi Segun and Yeni had one child together, a daughter, Rolari Segun, the 26-year-old lady graduated from the University of Leeds in the UKn in 2010. Both parents were present at the ceremony.
Although separated from former wife, Yeni, Segun stayed close to the family, participating in the family’s yearly ‘Felabration Festival.’ He was seen wearing his ubiquitous combat shorts in October last year at the week-long music festival held at the New Afrika Shrine, Ikeja, Lagos. Segun was also present at Femi Kuti‘s 50th birthday celebration back in 2012.
In November 1983, Segun, daughter of celebrated author Mabel Segun, was honoured as the ‘Officer of the Order of Rio Branco’ by the Government of Brazil.
An alumnus of the famous Nigerian Public School, Igbobi College, Yaba and the University of Ife (OAU). He served three former Heads of State as Portuguese/French interpreter and Senior Protocol Aide between 1983 and 1990.
Femi’s years as a diplomat afforded him the opportunity of serving the nation with honour. He travelled around the world extensively with Heads of State.
He was a humanist, who was deeply moved by the needless suffering of his fellow countrymen. He contested for the Senatorial Seat of the Lagos West Senatorial District in the 2003 Nigerian General Elections under Justice Party, but he lost gallantly, but he was never discouraged.
Femi was a member of the Rotary Club of Lagos, and was the International Service Director of the Club before his death.
A voice over artiste of several radio jingles, shot commercial adverts for Crusader Insurance for many years.
