Franklin I. Akinkoye

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Chief Franklin Ibukun Akinkoye was born on January 26, 1955 at Idanre, Ondo State, Nigeria to the family of Pa Alfred Akinkoye and Mrs. Grace Akinkoye, both of blessed memory. He was the last child of his mother and has one surviving older sister.

He attended St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Idanre, Ondo State Nigeria between 1961 and 1967. Thereafter, he proceeded to Solomon Gbadebo College, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria for his high school education between 1968 and 1974. Upon completion of his high school education, Franklin moved to Lagos, Nigeria and he started his first job at the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1976.

In pursuit of greener pastures, Franklin left the shores of Nigeria in 1979 for the United States of America and arrived in New York, he later moved to the DMV area until he finally settled in Maryland. He attended the University of the District of Columbia where he studied Business and Finance. He joined Prudential Insurance Company of America as a Financial Advisor in 1990. He was also the President of Continental Insurance and Financial Services Company. He was a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, a member of the President Council, Masters Council and Million Dollar Roundtable. He served in the Financial Industry for a period of 30 years.

Franklin was very active in the African community and he was a pioneer member, past Chairman and a very active member of the Idanre Development Association, North America Chapter, a pioneer member and former Chairman of the Alliance of the Yoruba Organization and Clubs. He was one of the founders and a past Chairman of the African Business Owners Forum, Inc. (ABOFI-USA). He was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Black Rock Corporation, a member of Maryland Sister States Advisory Board and a member of the steering committee of the Nigeria/Maryland Sister States. As a result of his numerous contribution to his community he was conferred with the traditional chieftaincy title of the Atunluse of Idanre Land by H.R.H. Oba Frederick Aroloye, Arubiefin the IV, the Owa of Idanre Land in 2007.

Franklin met the love of his life, Olajumoke Doris Akinkoye in 1979 and they subsequently got married on December 26, 1988 after some years of courtship in Idanre, Ondo State, Nigeria and they are blessed with 2 sons. Franklin and his wife lived together peacefully for 32 years, they were inseparable and he described her as the joy of his life.

Franklin was a lover of God and he served God through his service to humanity and love for people generally. The doors of his house were always open to everyone and he loved to play host to people without discrimination. He served as a great support system to numerous people and he loved life and believed it should be lived to the fullest. Franklin           loved music and sports and his favorite past time was spending time with his immediate family. Franklin was a highly principled and disciplined man, exceptionally kind, generous, loyal to a fault and extremely friendly, he was a knowledge bank and ever ready to share experiences and provide guidance to anyone who required it.

For the last 3 years of Franklin’s life, he was faced with some health challenges and by the grace of God, he overcame multiple health challenges to the amazement of his Doctors. He had the will to live and fought strongly for his health until he took his last breath on May 7, 2020. He was eternally grateful to his wife Olajumoke who nurtured and cared for him selflessly till the very end.

Franklin will be sorely missed by all and sundry and he is survived by his older sister, Mrs. Ademoji Bolutayo, his wife Olajumoke, daughter, Kemiade, his 2 sons, Olukayode and Ayodeji and his granddaughter Riley. Also left to mourn him are his nephews, brothers and numerous relatives, friends and numerous well-wishers. May the Lord grant him eternal rest and give the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.