Former director-general of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms Joe Abah and actress Kate Henshaw have joined in mourning shoe designer Ojima-Ojo Omale aka OJ Best.
The shoemaker was in the news in 2020 when he was patronised by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
His death was announced on his Twitter page on Sunday.
Celebrating his life, Abah tweeted on Sunday night: “The ultra-talented OJ Best always under-promised & over-delivered. ‘Give me a week.’ Then 2 days later ‘Oga, your shoes are ready. Should I bring them to the office or to the house?’ Made shoes for my family and friends all over the world. I will mourn him but also celebrate him.”
Abah described OJ Best as a multi-talented, humble and pleasant personality.
“One of the few people I’ve met on Twitter that has been to my home. Rest In Peace my brother and friend,” he added.
Kate said she spoke with the shoemaker’s sister who is “heartbroken.”
“He was very dedicated to his craft..Met him when I ordered some footwear from him. He delivered them himself. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world. Rest on bro… rest on from the cares of this world,” the actress wrote on Twitter.
OJ Best crafted his future by going into shoemaking when he could not find a job despite being a graduate.
His desire to make footwear for Osinbajo landed him the job as he was invited to Aso Rock to take the vice president’s measurements.
