I have only just heard of your passing and I'm truly heartbroken. It was such a pleasure you to teach you; to see you grow and of course to listen to your debates. You were our very own Martin Luther; always relish a debate! The fact you got an A* in History was testament to all of your hard work; I was immensely proud of you. You have gone too soon, but I will always remember you. Rest in peace - you have touched the lives of many in such a short time.

Anu, you were such an incredible person. It still hasn't sunk in that you're gone. As a scientist, it really broke my heart regarding your having sickle cell but I know you're resting with the Lord. Was so gutted I didn't get to try your ayamase but I'm sure you'll save a plate for me in heaven.

My husband Joseph and I would lead Bible study @ IMPRINT Church and no word of a lie - your snack game was 10/10. I appreciated the lifts to London Bridge after Bible study, especially the last one where you drove off whilst Joseph was still getting out of the car (this was too funny because you jumped out of the car and knelt down saying "ma binu" lol)! I didn't know this would be the last time we'd see you. But I'm grateful we had a funny memory. Appreciate you so much bro.

I admired your passion for Nigeria and most importantly, your passion for Jesus. You always contributed during Bible study so beautifully which made me rethink my walk with Christ at times, I needed to view God's beauty just like you did.

It was great being your leader but most of all, seeing your growth in faith and community.

I pray for the everlasting comfort of God to cover your family at this time.

Rest well, Anu. You left a huge impact on us and we will forever be grateful to God for introducing us to you.

Anu - I'm so sorry that your legacy has been cut short so unfairly.

You were destined to achieve great things and, although you still managed to do so in your life, in your relationships and your accomplishmenta, it pains me that we won't get to see your light shine as brightly as it could have. You are a source of inspiration and were always willing to uplift and support others where you could. You were a loyal friend and very selfless. We will miss you very much and we will try to live in honour of your memory - it is the only way we can move forward and doing anything less would be an insult to the life you lived. Thank you for being a part of our lives. So grateful to have met and known you.

Anu was not just my friend, he was my brother. I met Anu at the current church I attend, IMPRINT London. Although I have a few friends from church, Anu was the only one in the entire church who I could fully relate to as we shared a very similar mindset and way of thinking. When we would speak about theology and bible teachings it was refreshing as we would edify, sharpen and help one another grow in the knowledge of God.

Anu was a very noble, humble man of God who always put others before himself and he was extremely kind. I realised very quickly that he was spiritually advanced than most and in my heart and mind I was humbled. After meeting and spending time with him I realised I knew nothing and had a lot to learn in terms of character, wisdom & knowledge.

Anu really loved people! He was very selfless, thoughtful and encouraging. He never judged or condemned me when I told him about my sin. If I was to descibe Anu it would be the same way Jesus described Nathanael when he saw him approaching in John 1:47. What you see is what you got with Anu and his kindess was always sincere and genuine without an ulterior motive which is very rare.

I thank God for allowing me to meet Anu, the impact he had on me and the people he encountered throughout his life was huge and it will never be forgotten!

By the grace and mercy of God I will be reunited with my brother again in heaven.

Losing you has been the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life. But today, we’re celebrating you, and I’ll do my best to honor you — to emulate even a fraction of your strength. I will never forget you, Anu.

To know Anu is to know a man after God's heart, and a man who has a heart for people.

I only met Anu last year, and he is a part of some of my core memories at Church. We attened the same Bible study group together. I know a lot of us have written it here already, but he made me and 20+ people at amaze all because we said we wanted it. That gesture really shows the type of friend Anu was. After that we all chanted "Anu! Anu! Anu!" He put a smile on all of our faces, and we got to break bread together. That's a memory I'll never forget.

He indulged my silly stories and ideas - and they are very silly.He shared so much wisdom with me that really impacted my journey with Christ. He'd spend the time to really listen to you and made sure that your voice was heard.

I'm blessed to have been able to call him friend x

Videos of Anu (feel free to delete any you think aren't appropriate!)

Anu was full of joy, humility and wisdom. It was a blessing to know him and learn from him. I remember the way he'd always greet me with a big smile and a genuine 'how are you?' I'm grateful for our conversations and the way he honoured me and my family. I know that his love reached many and I pray for his legacy to continue through his family and friends.

Anu Anu Anu,

Writing this means you’re really in heaven…

Meeting you was a blessing that poured and poured and continues to overflow. You always provided wonderful support, counsel, and peace, no matter the highs and lows of life. I’ll forever cherish the time we spent in prayer, belly laughs, eating well, and giggling relentlessly.

Anu Aina

You never judged, and you always loved.

You never complained, and you leant on the Lord.

You always advised and supported others with care.

You brought people together and valued community.

You loved in faith and, through challenges, you inspired and mentored without even realising it.

You were a real Naija boy with a belly for Chinese food – and that real pepper!

Christ was your anchor.

You were made perfect in Him and free from the fears of the world.

You once told me you were ready from a young age – free from fear of illness – knowing you’d be with the Maker of all things.

Now, you rest well in heaven, in eternal peace.

I’m lost for words. I wish I saw more of you. From introducing you to vegan food, to you inviting me to Naija @ everywhere inbetween – whenever you saw me, you always reached out.

I was so proud of your achievements, the man you were, and your career aspirations. I’m so happy and grateful I told you how proud I was, and how much you had overcome was a beautiful testimony of Gods power and love.

You spoke light and life, always. We are truly blessed to have known your beautiful character. I have to find comfort in your zest for life, your love for the Lord, and your unshakable spirit.

In your legacy, we will do the same.

Love forever and always,

Shamara xx

Anu, it was a privilege to share life with you during my time in London. I thank God that we were put in the same Trios group under the LSECU - if not for that I may not have met you at all. You have the biggest heart and the gentlest soul, and your witness for Christ has always been a powerful encouragement.

I still remember the time you brought me to Peckham for beef noodles, and the time you spent a good 5 minutes trying to teach me how to pronounce your name right (I'm still trying). You are a joy to everyone around you and your friendship has kept me sane through the darkest times.

See you soon brother.

Anu was a trustee with me at the Cardinal Hume Centre - he was incredibly thoughtful, kind, compassionate and was so generous in all that he gave to the role. He will be missed by all of us. May he rest in peace.

Anu, my brother, I would’ve never imagined having to write this today. This is one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever had to do. Writing this will never reflect how I truly feel and thinking of you will never bring the justice of having you here with us again. It’s impossible to put your light into words. You were the most generous, polite, sincere and most humble person I’ve ever met. You always put others first and devoted your time and energy to noble acts of kindness. Getting people to good places and helping in whatever they may needed, all whilst expecting nothing in return - a truly incredible level of humanity. If everyone in this world was even 1% of a person you were, people would smile more and the world, all the more peaceful. I witnessed you do great things for the people you loved, and I can only be grateful I was able to meet such a great person who felt like family. Negativity? Wasn’t a word in your vocabulary. Your consistent positivity and spirit was an instant mood boost everytime you walked in the room. If I was ever negative, you’d snap me out of my trance and remind me of all the blessings we live in. I have so much to be grateful for and one of the biggest blessings was knowing you. A good friend and true brother lasts a lifetime. Your generosity showed no bounds and it is bittersweet that your final gift to us is all the memories we shared. You were taken from us too soon my brother, you had big dreams and your pursuit towards them deserves eternal recognition and celebration. We are not the only ones who have suffered a big loss, but so did the people you were yet to meet. Rest in peace my brother Anu, I’ll always treasure our time here with you and look forward to seeing you one day again in Heaven.

Anu,

Meeting you at Bankside was one of the greatest pleasures of my life and although I didn't spend as much time with you as I would have liked, i can almost remember every encounter we had because of how incredibly positive it made me feel and how you had this amazing power to see beyond people self limiting beliefs and encourage them to dream! You often told me why can't you be the preseident of Kenya? Your time on this planet was cut way too short but refelecting on it you've managed to more than most people in a lifetime! Coming from Peckham, getting into LSE, getting a training contract at Linklaters whilst dealing with Sickle Cell is not something I / most people can say they have done so I am really proud of everything you've managed to acoomplish and doing it in a way where you've been a shining light for a lot of the people you've encourtered just shows how amazing of a human being we've lost. Rest in peace and I hope heaven trreats you well

Rest in Peace Anu,

Lots of Love

Sinan

Anu, you were always a friendly face around campus and had so many words of wisdom. Always so thoughtful, considered and supportive. I am so upset that you are no longer with us. I remember fondly our gospel society days where we would sit and talk for hours about our faith. A man of few words, but when you did speak it was impactful. I am praying that God can ease the pain of those you left behind but no doubt your legacy will be one of joy, light and love. Sleep easy brother.

Love Susan ❤️

Anu, we met as fellow Trustees at the Cardinal Hume Centre. You were always so smart, insightful and full of compassion. You had such a promising life ahead, I'm so shocked it's been cut short, but your contribution will live on.

Anu, I’m so glad I got to see you this past February. I didn’t know it would be the last time, but I’m grateful for it. Grateful for your smile, your energy, your words.

Everything that came out of your mouth was positive. So much praise, so much joy, so much optimism. You always spoke life into others. In uni, you were my biggest cheerleader. You welcomed me with open arms into the Nigerian Society when I was just a fresher, and you made me feel like I belonged.

You saw the best in people, and you gave the best of yourself. I’ll always carry that with me - your encouragement, your belief, your light.

Rest well, Anu. You were truly special, and you’ll always be remembered.

I’m so disappointed not to be able to attend this vigil. To put it simply, Anu was a real one. I have a lot of memories of us laughing and complaining about things that don’t make sense! One of those things being how I’d never tried ayamase! And the next week I saw him, he’d made enough ayamase for me and about twenty other friends from church. He was consistently humble and supportive — he always did his best. I’m at peace knowing that I had the blessing of being his friend. He was truly a man after God’s own heart and I hope that as his friends, we can continue to build on his legacy.

In the short time I knew Anu, he striked me as someone who was always out to learn new things, and certainly didn't care about what anybody thought of him.

He was ready to be himself in every situation, and stand on his beliefs, not compromising for anyone.

You will be dearly missed Anu.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Anu was truly one of the best people I’ve ever known—a soul with the cleanest heart and a spirit full of light. He lived each day with kindness, humility, and a deep desire to help others. In our most stressful moments, he was the calm, the laughter, the light that reminded us everything would be okay. He never sought recognition, yet he gave so much. I don’t think he ever truly knew how deeply he impacted all of us. We were lucky to have him, and we will carry his goodness with us always.

Dear Anu,

My heart is broken but happy that you are no longer in pain and up in heaven with our Father. You were such a joy to be around. You had a strong and kind spiri. I'll always treasure our time togethe. Thanks for the countless last minute lunch hangs and for always reminding what's truly important in life.

Rest in eternal peace, my friend

Selfless. Joyful. Mature. Articulate. Calm. Uncle Anu.

I first met Anu at a harvest celebration, and later again at a networking event. From the very beginning, he stood out, one couldn’t help but admire his deep knowledge of current affairs and his ability to stay informed about the world.

Anu had a unique way of making serious topics approachable, often cracking sharp, witty jokes especially about Nigeria and the government. He was highly articulate, deeply expressive, and always passionate in his conversations.

Anu was a passionate lover of God.

This is a sad and painful loss. Anu will be dearly missed.

Rest in peace, Anu.

My birthday twin, I still can’t believe you’re gone. I never thought in a million years this would happen. I don’t know how we remained friends after so long since we left school together, but that must say a lot. It would really just be you and me going to Thorpe park and Chessington together. You always had such a positive outlook on life, you always had your faith in god, and always believed we could achieve anything. You made such a positive impact in my life and I will never know how to repay you for everything you have taught me. We had so much more to life to live and experience, so many places to go try and eat and I always said you would officiate my wedding. There is really no one like you, i’m gna miss you so much ❤️🌹

Anu,

I love you. You were a true brother.

I remember the first time the Lord showed you a vision. As we prayed in the Saw Swee Hock Building 6/F Café, you closed you eyes and saw "pitch darkness, then a lion, then a bear, then a snake, and then some more pitch darkness." You weren't sure it was from Jesus at first, but when we looked it up in the Bible, it was clear: the Lord was speaking.

Amos 5:18-20 reads as follows:

18 Woe to you who long
for the day of the Lord!
Why do you long for the day of the Lord?
That day will be darkness, not light.
19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion
only to meet a bear,
as though he entered his house
and rested his hand on the wall
only to have a snake bite him.
20 Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light—
pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?

The details were uncanny – and so was the context into which they spoke. You were a man who cared about justice and righteousness, and you lived it out until the very end. You saw the many ways in which the world was not as it should be, and you did something about it.

Amos 5 goes on to say, in verse 24:

But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

As I have reflected on your death, I have been thinking about that moment, and about a phrase in Hebrews 11:13 – "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth."

You did not receive what was promised: the Day of the Lord, the day when righteousness and justice would flow forever, unhindered... and you are in good company. You were, and are, a hero of the faith. I know you are part of the great cloud of witnesses described in the next chapter, and I know I will see you again on the Day of Judgement – the day you will be rewarded with an imperishable body, and the day you will see God's promises fulfilled.

Until then, I will remember you, and I will continue to take the bread and the wine until the Lord comes again, in His memory, and in honour of every saint who did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death – saints like you, Anu.

Maranatha. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, come.

Dear Anu, so proud to call you mentor and friend. Still shocked and hurt that you're gone. I know we will meet again some day, wish I could've seen more of the goodness and blessing your life would've brought.

Brother Anu where do I begin...

How we met was funny, I locked myself into a study room in the library and had my earphones in pretending to not hear anyone because I wanted the room to myself then you banged on the door SOOO LOUD that I couldn’t ignore it. You introduced yourself and from the jump you were putting me onto job applications and mentorship from social mobility organisations I didn’t know existed.

We were cool at uni but not too close but as it was coming up to final year and me and you both had to defer some exams due to personal circumstances we kinda bonded over that and started to spend more time together. After we both graduated and secured our job offers we celebrated by going on holiday to Egypt. Neither of us really travelled much before but we made memories that will last a lifetime. I remember it was both our first time doing water sports and we decided to try the banana boat thinking it would be calm vibes. The guy flipped us over in the middle of the ocean and we were panicking like we didn’t have life jackets on but lowkey we were shook that there were sharks about. There were four of us and when you tried to get back on, you flipped the whole banana boat again and sent all of us flying back into the ocean. We were FUMING but laughing our heads off at the same time.

You were the kindest and most generous man I will ever come across in my lifetime. It just doesn’t feel real and ever since you’re gone my whole perspective of life has changed. Every time I think of you I want to be sad but your unwavering positive energy makes me reminisce on how if you were here you’d tell us to not worry about it and keep our heads up. From library link ups to Spicy Basil and you bringing your jollof and chicken I will miss every minute my brother.

How generous you were with your time I had no idea how many other lives you touched. I can’t remember a time I needed a friend and you said no or couldn’t make time all whilst balancing all your other responsibilities and also being there for many others that I’ve only met since you’ve left us.

Even in the midst of deep pain from your sickle cell crisis you were still trying to support others. You once messaged me saying “my legs are in severe excruciating pain rendering them useless today… I truly was looking forward to coming over but this pain won’t allow it… let’s do Teams indeed.” You were in agony, yet you still tried to show up. NO ONE DOES THAT!

You had unwavering belief in me more than I did in myself and I owe a lot of my worldly success to your support. Your dedication to others makes me ponder upon how I want to be remembered when I’m gone and even if I tried I don’t think I’d come close to how you’ll be remembered even though if you were here you’d tell me that’s absolute nonsense and that I could have a greater impact. What a humble man you were my brother.

Anu you were there for me during some of my toughest challenges and when I look back you were literally the backbone and gave me so much ease comfort and genuinely cared so much about me getting through them. If you were still here I have no doubt you would’ve achieved so much success and had an even greater impact on many more lives. If you had this much impact at the start of your journey I know that once you started your career and continued progressing through life you would’ve had an impact on lives that is UNIMAGINABLE. When I think of you it makes me want to push so much harder on my goals and for the people I love.

My brother thank you for your wisdom I learnt so much from our brotherhood you were my brother not just a friend. Writing this feels heavy and there are no words I could write or think of that will do justice to how great of a man you were. You will be missed dearly my brother you were 100 percent give 0 percent take.

Everyone I introduced you to feels the distraughtness. They all saw how genuine you were and it’s devastation. You were so kind to them all offering help in any way you could supporting their siblings with anything from careers to mentorship and always following up checking in. You didn’t need to do any of it but you still did.

Even during your own health crises you stayed grateful. You once said “many people with my condition have passed away very young and I’m still here… so I have a lot to be grateful for and to thank God for”. You had every reason to complain but all you did was give thanks.

Your compassion was different. You never made anyone feel like a burden you created a safe space for them. I could quite LITERALLY pull 100’s of quotes like these ones below:

“you haven’t been draining I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being there for you… and you haven’t been too dependent.”

“Never forget who you are and where you’ve come from… to call you an exceptional individual inside out is an understatement… I’m honoured to have you as a best friend and of course as family… I will always be there for you.”

Anu even though we didn’t share the exact same faith you showed solidarity and love in a way that was rare. You were living proof that people can come together with pure hearts. You brought people together you made people feel seen and valued no matter who they were.

Anu my brother you will never be forgotten. You left behind a legacy of love strength humility and service. You inspired so many and you’ll continue to inspire us. Your name will always carry weight in our hearts and your legacy will live through everything we do. My kids will know about you and the kind of man you were. You were right. Just like you said, “I will always be there for you". You’re in my heart and as I move through this life your wisdom and everything we shared will stay with me always.

Devistated to hear about your passing. We only really met in person once...but even the very reason for us crossing paths was a testament of your character. I appreciate so much how you took the time out of your day to be a mentor for 6th form students at my first mentoring programme. You didn't know me, you didn't need to say yes, yet the mission and the impact alone was enough to drive you to come. Years later, I've come across others you've befriended and your warm, kind, selfless character continues to shine through in the words they say about you. I thank God that in my moment of need, you were there to help. I pray you're enjoying the peace and joys of the next life, and that your family will be comforted during this time. Thank you for everything, Anu.

Anu, my brother, I would’ve never imagined having to write this today. This is one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever had to do. Writing this will never reflect how I truly feel and thinking of you will never bring the justice of having you here with us again. It’s impossible to put your light into words. You were the most generous, polite, sincere and most humble person I’ve ever met. You always put others first and devoted your time and energy to noble acts of kindness. Getting people to good places and helping in whatever they may needed, all whilst expecting nothing in return - a truly incredible level of humanity. If everyone in this world was even 1% of a person you were, people would smile more and the world, all the more peaceful. I witnessed you do great things for the people you loved, and I can only be grateful I was able to meet such a great person who felt like family. Negativity? Wasn’t a word in your vocabulary. Your consistent positivity and spirit was an instant mood boost everytime you walked in the room. If I was ever negative, you’d snap me out of my trance and remind me of all the blessings we live in. I have so much to be grateful for and one of the biggest blessings was knowing you. A good friend and true brother lasts a lifetime. Your generosity showed no bounds and it is bittersweet that your final gift to us is all the memories we shared. You were taken from us too soon my brother, you had big dreams and your pursuit towards them deserves eternal recognition and celebration. We are not the only ones who have suffered a big loss, but so did the people you were yet to meet. Rest in peace my brother Anu, I’ll always treasure our time here with you and look forward to seeing you one day again in Heaven.

Dear Anu,

Your presence, warmth and welcoming nature are forever woven into some of my best memories. You had a way with words that were so inviting, even when the topic you posited was divisive at best. I'll never forget the evenings in the Bankside canteen, where you would spark debate at the dinner table with controversial views and opinions, often so convincing I couldn't tell when you truly believed them and when they were a device for a spirited discussion (although your grin and hearty laugh sometimes gave it away).

Whenever I saw you, you lived life with gusto and I always admired how you lived life your way, I never got a sense of conformity from you. Growing up, I had often been in environments where being proud and unashamed of who you are and where you're from wasn't encouraged, but the pride with which you discussed your origins (both Peckham and Nigeria), your faith and your purpose was inspiring and provided a light to many.You are still to this day the only person I know who has come to the defense of Peckhamplex and that will always stick with me.

Your faith was always evident in how you lived, your encouragement of others to seek Jesus and your strong sense of community and sharing. You were present at pretty much every gathering of faith I attended at uni, and there was always an obscure, yet amazing Chinese restaurant "just around the corner".

The fact that you achieved so much in the short time you had, in spite of adversity, was incredible. But the fact that these achievements are not what I (or many others) think of when speaking of you is an even greater testament to the man you were: an exemplification of strength, grace and benevolence.

When we all sit round a table again, sharing a meal, there will always be a chair missing, a rich, joyous laugh no longer heard, a new, challenging perspective no longer shared. But while these may be missing, the imprint you left on so many will always remain. I hope that we as friends and family can continue your legacy by bringing people together, showing compassion and striving for greater purpose, knowing that our faith can take us where our minds cannot fathom.

Hebrews 11:1

Anu, you were one of my first friends when starting at LSE. And I'll never forget, you were one of the first people I met at Bankside Hall. And like, the only thing I could think of when I saw you was, this is just the quintessential Christian Nigerian British guy. You know, and, and honestly, the way that you were so inviting was, was so strange. Because I was thinking to myself, why is this guy so friendly? You know, and, and one of the first kind of like memories I have of you was that you are not ashamed of Christ. And I think that's the thing that's, that's stuck with me to date. You are never ashamed of Christ. You didn't care what people thought of you. You didn't care how people, what people thought about you. You know, but you did what you wanted to do. And you did what you believe God led, was leading you to do. And I found that very attractive. Because I didn't have that. At least not at that time. You know, and another fond memory was the second week of university, where you said, Oh, Ibuka, let's go to church together. And we ended up going to church. You know, we passed by some planting place in Elephanta Castle. That's the first place you showed me that they sell planting. You know, we passed by the place Elephanta Castle. And, and yeah, you were just so full of life. You know, and I believe that you're one of the main reasons why I'm still a Christian today. You know, just not only taking me to that church, which I ended up staying at, but just how welcoming you are as a human being. You know, so I just want to say thank you. Thank you for leading me to Christ to showing me that I should, I don't have to be ashamed as a Christian. Thank you for, for being a good example. Thank you for being a friend to everybody. You know, I thank you for just being you and being unashamed, unashamedly you. You know, so until we meet again, because death is not the end. Death is just the beginning. The beginning of something, something great. And just as Paul said in the book of Philippians, that's to live, to die is gain or rather to live is Christ and to die is gain. So yeah, God bless you Anu and see you, see you soon.

I met Anu at university, and from the beginning he stood out as someone so thoughtful, intelligent, and just quietly brilliant. He paid attention to the little things, carried himself so well, and took real pride in everything he did.

When we were both on the committee of the Nigerian Society, there were times I felt overwhelmed or unsure - but Anu was always calm. He had a way of slowing things down, thinking through everything logically, and helping me see the bigger picture.

He was also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. A true friend to those around him - always showing up, always listening. He had a strong sense of fairness and was never afraid to be honest, but always made you feel comfortable.

You always knew where you stood with Anu, and that’s something I really admired. His faith inspired me too. He lived with such integrity and grace, and it was clear his beliefs shaped the way he treated people and carried himself in the world.

I was so shocked and heartbroken to hear the news. It’s hard to put into words what a loss this is. Anu was a great person - so genuine, kind, and full of light. I feel incredibly lucky to have known him ❤️

Words fail to describe the generosity, godly ambition, and grace Anu had. He was generous to a fault. Anu wouldn't even let me speak a negative word about myself, and always outdid me in showing honour. There were many Nigerian restaurants he did not get to show me but I will cherish every moment of our adventures around south London. Only now do I realise how lucky I was to befriend such a great man of God. I'll see you soon, brother, if I can get as close to the Throne as you are now!

I met Anu through the Cardinal Hume Centre where he was a trustee. I was struck by his confidence and willingness to to almost dive into the role. Often, it can be easy to hold back and to let your fears get in the way of caring, but I never got the sense of that with Anu. His strength enabled him to put others first. He got involved, used his gifts and made a difference in a short time. He bought a perspective that made our discussions and decisions better informed. It is this strength and care that I think of most when I think of Anu, even more so now I have found out a little more about his life, but also I remember his encouragement and optimism. He was always so encouraging. The work we do at the Centre with young people and families facing homelessness is not easy and we're not always perfect but he was always incredibly encouraging and kind. I and us all at the Centre will miss him. He is in our thoughts and prayers. With my very best wishes to all his family and and all those who loved him and knew him well. I hope there is some solace in the life Anu was able to live in the short time he was here, the difference he made and the lives he touched.

You live on, Anu! I'm grateful to have met you - grateful to have encountered your kindness, your wit, your goodness, your authenticity - and everything that made you so unforgettable. I know you are safely in the arms of Christ now, and that is my greatest comfort. The world lost a bright and shining star but heaven has gained. Rest well brother, I will miss you!

Anu was one of a kind. He owned everything he was (good and bad) and shared everything he had—if he had a £1 in his pocket, he gave it to you. Despite everything he achieved, he remained modest. Despite everything he experienced, he remained resilient and hopeful.

Soon after I met Anu, he dubbed me “Doctor Rashidat.” I often laughed or rolled my eyes, but the coining of the nickname exemplified his character: he always esteemed others, recognising a light in you that you didn’t even know you had. Ultimately, it was Anu who became my doctor and my teacher. Anu taught me the true meaning of authenticity, passion, generosity, determination, grit and godlessness.

To lose Anu is to lose a light. Anu was a man of action, wisdom, insight, and passion. He was larger than life, and for that reason, I know his legacy will live on. When I next feel stuck or uncertain, I will look to the influence of Anu in my life to guide me. Anu, we love you and you are missed.

It’s hard to put into words the depth of who Anu was, to me and to so many of us. If you ever had the blessing of knowing him, you’ll understand when I say he was never just a friend—he was a friend, advisor, debating advisory, critic, motivational speaker and at times, the most hilarious instigator.

I met Anu at university, in a season where we are all searching. I was trying to find my voice, my faith, my courage, and my career. He stepped into my life like divine disruption – being nosy and assuming best-friendship as soon as he found out I was a fellow Nigerian. He saw potential in people before we saw it in ourselves. He had this uncanny way of offering advice so sharply, insightfully and being disarmingly honest that you couldn’t help but listen and deep your life (even when it stung). And then he’d follow it up with a ridiculous, borderline inappropriate joke that left you breathless with laughter, wondering how the same person could be both your trusted confidant and cause for concern.

It was through him that I renewed my relationship with Jesus—not in a way that felt rigid or rehearsed but inspired by the way he lived. He embodied grace and grit, truth and tenderness. His faith was messy, bold, and full of grace, just like his life. He encouraged me to live without fear, to take risks, to get out of my head and trust the promise of scripture when what I experienced in the world was bleak. He reminded me that being a Christian isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. Being present with people, being present with God, and showing up—over and over again—with love and intention.

One of the greatest gifts Anu gave me was the courage to live life fully. He encouraged me to stop playing small, to have the audacity to apply for the position, to speak up, to take risks, and to stop waiting for the "right time." He believed life was meant to be experienced boldly and joyfully. He didn’t just talk about dreams—he chased them, even in the face of pain, and pulled us along with him. He taught me that life is for living, faith is for sharing, and friendship is for showing up—no matter what.

And oh, the adventures…that boy could walk! We spent hours roaming London, to uncover every Chinese restaurant. I remember the time he dragged me from work to Timbuktu (Edgware) – obviously withholding the final destination as I constantly checked in asking ‘Where are you taking me?’ I knew we were in trouble when I saw the postcode. I can still hear him arguing about service charge, how “they should know how to cook rice at their grown age” or passionately defending a particular spot’s chili oil like he was defending a dissertation to justify the journey. But it was never just about the food. It was about presence. Friendship and memories.

What continues to astound me is how much Anu accomplished, often silently, while carrying the burden of sickle cell. A battle few truly understood, but one he fought with resilience. Through all the hospital visits, flare-ups, and fatigue, he didn’t let it define or limit him. Instead, he lived as though every moment was both borrowed and gifted. He still made room to love others deeply – honouring his mother especially. As we process, we might be thinking “so much potential…why the best of us” and yet, somehow, we can be confident that he completed the mission Christ gave them with excellence and joy; though his time with us was shorter than we wanted, it was complete.

He was a financial advisor. Then a potential teacher. Then a barrister-in-training. Then tackling the SQE—and making jokes only he found hilarious about becoming a man in pink (Linklaters folk). The ambition was never about ego—it was about purpose and challenge. It was about answering a calling. His life stands as a testimony that impact isn’t measured in years, but in how well you steward what you’re given - he stewarded with brilliance.

To me—and I know to many of you Anu will always be a reference point. When I think of what resilience looks like, what it means to chase purpose with grace, when I need courage to be honest, to be kind, to be generous, I’ll remember how he served his friends and family.

To the Chief Ambassador for Nigeria – you will be missed. Rest in power.

Anu,

We met at a lovely wedding ceremony and had so much to talk about - I instantly recognised you as someone special with a unique way of thinking and was delighted that we stayed friends over the years. My last memory of us is at Tofu Vegan this February, where you ordered extra chilli oil for the table and we laughed about it as the tofu was already so spicy! I will never forget that conversation we had, the visionary that you were, the open-mindedness and empathy you held within you. We often went to LSE events together and had so much knowledge to share between us about the legal space and uplifting each other. Aside from that, I always loved the authentic version of yourself you were so comfortable being, and just being such a bright source of light and joy to be around - full of laughter and adventure, and trying new things!

I will truly cherish our friendship forever and I think the world has lost on such an incredible person. I am grateful to have known you.

Rest in Peace.

Anusha Kasture

Anu was an incredible man. Anu and I attended church together at IMPRINT London and were also part of the same small group for the last few years. Anu was always easy to get along with, he shared so much wisdom at Bible study and asked great questions. I loved listening to Anu speak. As a fellow trainee solicitor, Anu and I had a lot of conversations about work and exams. He was always so encouraging and I tried to repay that when it came time for him to sit his own SQE exams.

One of my favourite memories of Anu was when he brought Ayamase to our small group social, it was so delicious, no one believed he made it himself.

My most recent memory of Anu was on mother's day. I arrived early as I was serving so my sister brought my grandma to church. Anu arrived to church at the same time as them and helped my grandma walk up the stairs. At the end of service Anu had a lengthy conversation with my grandma and then offered to drop us home, which we were incredibly grateful for as my grandma cannot walk for very long. After my sister and I bought some food on the way, we came back to the car and saw my grandma and Anu praying again. They felt like kindred spirits. They had joyful conversations the whole ride home. Anu also blessed my grandma with some gifts when we got home. I'm so grateful that we were able to spend that time with Anu 1 week before he went to Nigeria.

These pictures are from Sunday 30th March 2025.

I'm in the second picture, with the red trousers, I'm not in a picture with Anu as he was the one who helped us take them.

I will truly miss my friend and the incredible man Anu was.

Anu,

What a wonderful student and man - of God - you were.

It was a privielge to "share the inquiry" with you over two years of Philosophy and Theology. I shall remember, with fondness, your penchant for castigating Michael on his Catholicism (with tongue in cheek) - earning you the soubriquet of the Luther of Harris Westminster. Your generosity of spirit and bravery was manifest in your dedication to scholarship and the memorable presentation you gave to PTE society in which you argued, from your reading of the Qur'an and hadith, that - by his own metrics - Muhummad was a false prophet - to a room packed with devout Muslims. Not only had you gone to town with your research but you were unapologetic in your presentation, whilst remaining wholly generous and loving towards those of other faiths. That you invited a response from a Muslim the week after - was characteristic of this spirit of generosity, a keen desire to pursue truth and a passion for rigorous dialecitc.

Another fond memory (not at the time - one of the more stressful moments of my teaching career) was when you were nowhere to be found as we were going through the gate at Gatwick on our Athens trip. I managed to get you on the phone - you were running as fast as you could, praying down the phone. I think I shouted something like, "Anu, I will do the praying, you just get here!" We prayed hard - you made it - as pictures, attach, attest.

The last time I saw you, you told me you thought you'd made a mistake in reading law - and should have plumped for theology - but I know you know no learning was wasted and God richly blessed others through knowing you in all you did. Looking forward to enjoying the heavenly banquet in due course. But till then, may you rest in peace, and rise in glory.

Love, Tristan (Stone)

Anu, I can't believe how soon you have left a world that sorely needs more people like you!

It was such a privilege to be your teacher at HWSF. Your good humour, consideration, authenticity and determination were phenomenal. You brought such positivity to the sixth form, and even, on occasion, some delicious jollof rice to aid revision ('This is party rice, Miss, so it won't be too spicy. If it's too spicy... I don't know what to tell you.') I know your faith will have sustained you in your illness. It was so much a part of you and of your great attitude to life. I remember the passion of your debates with fellow students of different perspectives, and I also remember your unfailing respect for those you disagreed with. You were one of those students of whom a teacher thinks 'Gosh his family must be proud of that one.' My heart goes out to them.

I'm grateful to have met you, Anu. God bless you.

Taken too young, any much missed, but, Anu, you'll always be part of the Harris Westminster story.

We're lucky to have known you, even for a short while.

Omo dada, ore mi

My heart is broken that you’ve left us but I’m finding comfort knowing you’re with the father now.

Where do I even start.

I always use to say to you I am so grateful our paths crossed and I truly mean it. You changed my life for the better and showed me true friendship. Your kindest, selflessness, generosity and humour I will deeply miss.

Every time I left your presence I always felt my cup had been filled. Even when you were ill you still trying to help me, that just shows the person you were.

Your faith inspired me so much and I appreciate you always seeing me who I was and who God says I am. You constantly reminded me of my strengths and always saw the best in me.

I wouldn’t have made it through this year without your support. You truly were a friend and a brother that I could confined in and rely on at all times.

I am going to miss our motivational & deep conversations and you saying “ahh Baba” and “Tosinnnnnn Tosinnnn let me write this downnn”. I’m going to miss you answering the phone with “omo dada”.

I’m so grateful to God I got to experience your friendship. May you rest in peace my friend and thank you for all you’ve done for me. Your name will forever live on.

MERCY THE MERCY OF GOD

Goodbye to you for now.

My brother, my example, my friend.

The day the pope passed.

The day the late, great Nina Simone left this world.

The day after Easter Sunday.

The day after Jesus’ daring demonstration of deified divinity defied darkness & defanged death itself.

The day the God of creation, in resurrected human form spoke, walked, & ate breakfast with His friends.

To the most generous man I have ever known, whose greatness no man shall ever come close.

And central to the nexus of fire & fairness that formed the firmament of this great man’s belief, laid this one truth above all that he believed to be true:

In his life, he believed Jesus Christ of Nazareth was Lord.

And in his death, so shall I.

Where the beats don’t stop & the blues never will, I shall meet you there one day. And indeed we shall keep the solemnly silly promises that we each made:

I will teach you how to ride a bike & you will teach me to cook Jollof rice.

Goodbye for now my friend.

Anu, it has been a long time since I have had a friend as genuine, respectful and kind as you.

You are always careful to bring gluten-free snacks. You have empathy for others, always kind enough to include everyone at Bible study.

Your laughter is always supportive and complete when the group doesn’t understand.

You are a gift from God to encourage others.

When I met you in that group and saw how supportive and encouraging you were, I went home laughing to myself.

You are a good friend with a good Father. Rest with Our Father in peace.

Anuuuuu,

I simply do not have the words in this moment to express my sorrow and heartbreak... you are one the kindest, smartest and most humble people I have ever known. I started uni so buttoned up and scared but when I ran into you at the elevator in Bankside I knew everything would be okay becase then I was sure I had found a friend.

We went to church together, we gisted in the library, you took me to your favourite Vietnamese restaurant (it was really good) and got into an argument with the owner when a fly landed in my drink. You introduced me to Eastenders, and made me laugh endlessly with your funny catchphrases. You hated taking pictures so almost all the pictures I have of you are blurry. You shared your world view unashamdely and approached life with a positive disposition.

Who knew the spirited discussion you, me and Francess had on a random evening in China Town would be our last encounter?

I'm so grateful to have known you.

With love,

Lotta

Most people in my life — I remember exactly how we met. The day and the exact moment. But you, Anu... I don’t.

I don’t remember precisely how it started because it’s like you were always just *there*. So seamlessly woven into my life that I can’t recall a time before you. You fit so naturally, so fully — it felt like you had always belonged.

You are the best friend anyone could ever ask for. An angel on earth. The light of my life. You are that important to me — an extra member of my family. My mother’s bonus son. 

I’ve been going through our recent messages and absolutely cackling at the fact that we spoke every single day for the past four months. When I was too tired to text, I would just call you — multiple times a day. We spoke for hours on end. So many times, I fell asleep on the phone to you.  You were my person. You always showed up.

I am remembering our passionate debates — my family members would knock on my room door asking who I was fighting with, and I’d say “no one, I’m debating Anu!” I even dragged my family into some of those debates and used them as primary sources just to prove my point to you. It still makes me laugh.

Our chats are full of so many book recommendations and deep dives — so many sources of knowledge. You challenged me, inspired me, sharpened me. You taught me so much, just by being who you were. 

You saw me in my most vulnerable moments and never left my side. You were constantly there - through the rain and in the sunshine. I hope I never took that for granted. I think you knew  I loved you — I told you — but I don’t know if you ever truly understood how much.

The only break in our communication recently was when you travelled. But I stepped aside on purpose — I didn’t want to interrupt your holiday. I know how stressful going to Nigeria can be. Even then, we still squeezed in a call — and I had no idea you were in hospital. You knew we would drop everything for you and I guess you didn't want to worry us… but Anu, it would have been an honour to be bothered by you. Even just this once.

In the days before you passed, my mom asked of you multiple times a day. You told her you were fine and just resting. I told her the same — because I truly believed you would come round in your own time. Ore mi, I hope you are finally resting properly now. Free from pain. Free from crises.

I am furious and heartbroken that even while you were in hospital during your last days, you and I were still on the phone — and you didn’t let me have the slightest clue. It hurts that you denied me the chance to be there for you the way you were always there for me. But that’s you, isn’t it? Selfless to the very end. Never wanting anyone to make a fuss or worry. Always protecting others, even at your own expense.

The day before you travelled. you came to my house and my mom pulled out the baby album folder for you. You were flipping through my baby pictures, and we were laughing — full belly-laughing — about how much fun we were going to have when you came to Nigeria with my family later this year.

We were meant to travel together to Paris in February. But in my obsession with planning the perfect trip — the most enjoyable itinerary, the fullest program, the best set of things to do — I kept pushing it. I told you Paris stinks and I promised you that you’d go somewhere even better. I was so set on making it perfect that I postponed what would have been enough just as it was. Now, I desperately wish I’d just said yes to the impromptu trip with you. I wish we’d gone — just like that.

When you were leaving my home that day, you insisted you'd see yourself out. But something in me said no. So I followed you all the way to your car. And I hugged you goodbye. I wish I had held on longer. I wish I hadn’t let go.

The way you have left — so suddenly — has completely shocked me. Sometimes I honestly wonder if you were real. That someone like you could exist, could be here one moment, and then… gone the next. It feels surreal.

But your character was SO extraordinary that even people who only knew you have become friends in your absence — your friends who never met each other before you passed are now bonding over the sheer gift of having had you in our lives.

I’m a little mad at you, Anu. Mad that I couldn’t fix everything for you and you wouldn't even let me try. But amazed that even in everything you endured, you were somehow still the most calm, the most funny, the most thoughtful, the most you. Somehow, despite all of the struggle and pain, you were as close to perfection as a human could get. What a paradox.

You were the light of my life. The light In my life. And truthfully, I’m scared of what my life looks like without you. But I’ll hang onto the memories and I’ll carry your light forward.

I will miss sending you voicenotes and hearing your robust laughter in response, our accountability calls, and bouncing deas off you—the dreams we shared of traveling and pursuing business opportunities together.

I will miss the way you would round up our calls with your classic line, "let me stop disturbing you". I will miss your devotion - the way you supported all my ventures, often arriving at the venue before me at my own events and helping me to set everything up. I will miss the way you celebrated my wins like they were your own. I will miss calling you “The Law!” and hearing you burst into laughter every single time.

I promise I’ll nurture all the things you always told me I am naturally good at. I'll even try to remember your famous Ayamase recipe. And I’ll take this act of living seriously now — with intention, with fire. Because that’s what you would’ve wanted. And that’s what you did. 

If I had a thousand pages, I don't think I could fully capture how utterly inspiring you've been to me, or how proud I am of you.

I love you so much, Anu.

It is well with your soul. ❤️

Anu!! Feels so weird to be here, writing this. A shining light gone home too soon. I'm still incredibly shocked. My Angelica's closest friend and cheerleader.

You had become one of my younger siblings in such a short time. Always cheerful, always willing to lend a hand and never a dull moment.

You had such a heart of service and a genuine love for people – with a grand, hearty laugh to match. I can't help but smile when I remember you. Your ability to see the positive side in every situation. Your persistent effort to speak Yoruba regardless of how it sounded 😂.

Our hearts are broken...

But I'm grateful for your life and the impact you made

I'm grateful you knew Jesus

So I'm grateful we will meet again ❤️❤️❤️

Anu, it was an honour to have you in my life and I’m distraught that you’re gone. I still can’t believe it, every time I think of you life doesn’t feel real. When people pass away everyone tends talk about how nice the person was, but you was ACTUALLY the kindest nicest soul I had ever met and I doubt I’ll ever meet someone like you ever again. You was one of a kind. I wish everyone I know could’ve been lucky enough to have I met you so that they could share the joy I feel reminiscing of you.

You was the most selfless and supportive person I knew, talking to you made me feel like I could conquer the world. Your ability to have serious talks but also have a laugh made you a joy to be around. I’m gonna miss your Nigerian fried rice and jollof rice haha. Rest in peace my brother 🕊️❤️

Dear Anu,

I still can’t believe you’re gone. It feels impossible to wrap my mind around it. You weren’t just a friend; you were a force—one of the most brilliant, passionate people I’ve ever known! When I think of you, the first thing that always comes to mind is how fiercely intelligent you were.

You had a way of debating that left me scrambling to keep up, to make sure I had my facts straight. You didn’t just argue for the sake of it—you made me question everything I thought I knew. You had this gift of breaking things down so clearly, so intelligently, that I couldn’t help but admire how you could always see things from angles I hadn’t even considered. You challenged me in ways I never expected, pushing me to be better, smarter, sharper. And for that, I’m forever grateful.

Even now, I can hear your voice in my head, urging me to think critically, to never settle for the easy answer, to keep questioning, to always strive to understand more. You made me see the world differently, and you made me believe in the power of always fighting for what’s right. I miss you more than words can say, and I can’t stop thinking about all the times you made me better just by being you.

I wish I could have done more for you, taken away your pain, made things easier. It’s so hard to know that there was nothing I could do to heal you from the struggles you faced. But I also know you wouldn’t want to be defined by those battles. You lived with such strength, such dignity, and you fought with everything you had, even when no one could see the full extent of what you were going through. You were an inspiration to all of us, even in your hardest moments.

Rest well, Anu. You may not be here physically, but you’ll never be forgotten. And I know, in time, I’ll find comfort in knowing you’re still with me—in every lesson you taught me, in every conversation we shared, and in every bit of strength you showed me.

See you later, my friend. 🧡🙏

I count myself immensely privileged to have known Anu, and in all honesty, I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that he’s no longer with us. He was one of those rare people who made you feel seen, heard, and valued the moment you met him. His kindness wasn’t just something he did; it was who he was. You could always count on Anu to brighten the room with his hearty laugh, to listen when you needed an ear, and to stand by you through thick and thin.

The world is dimmer without him in it, but I know his legacy will continue to shine through all of us.