The Annual Thanksgiving and Memorial Service for late Chief J.K. Randle MBE; MVO Lisa of Lagos was held on 28th July 2024 at Christ Church, Christ Church Street, Chelsea, London SW3 4AS to celebrate his 115th posthumous birthday.
He died at the age of forty-seven years on 17th December 1956 shortly after he returned from Melbourne, Australia where he was the Chef-De-Mission of the Nigerian team at the Olympic Games.
The Vicar, Revd Prebendary Dr. Brian Leatherd prayed for the entire J.K Randle Family and the abducted Chibok girls who have been in captivity since 14th April, 2014. The Vicar also acknowledged the sacrifices of the soldiers/security forces and the tragedy of victims of insurgency all over Nigeria.
He also prayed for peace and stability in Nigeria.
The Thanksgiving was followed by lunch at
Phene Restaurant
9, Phene Street
London SW3 5NY.
Chief J.K. Randle was a businessman, politician, philanthropist and outstanding all round sportsman (cricket, football, boxing, athletics etc). While still a student at King’s College he played cricket at the international level as a member of the Nigerian team against Ghana (then known as Gold Coast) in 1929 and scored a century. Incredible !! He was also an undefeated champion at draughts.
Chief J.K. Randle was passionate about Lagos and Nigeria in addition to being stoutly against racial discrimination, ethnic jingoism and religious intolerance.
Several streets are named after Chief J.K. Randle in Lagos, Apapa and Surulere. Also, the Chief J.K. Randle Memorial Hall at Onikan, Lagos was built in his memory. Furthermore, Randle Secondary School, Apapa and Randle General Hospital, Surulere, Lagos are named after him. He has bequeathed a huge legacy of goodwill and sportsmanship.
Some of the beneficiaries of his philanthropy are two Christian schools and two Moslem schools:
Holy Cross Primary School, Lagos
CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos
Ansaru-deen College, Isolo, Lagos
Ahmadiyya College, Agege.
He was the Chairman of Lagos Island Club and also Lagos Horse Racing Club. He was a legend during his lifetime and thereafter.
He is survived by Bashorun J.K. Randle, FCA; OFR and Mrs Iwa Adelaja.
