Last respect! Glamorous funeral of Prince Oyebamiji Adedoyin, father of ex-Oyo NUT boss (PHOTOS)
Femi OGUNLANA
(photos by Abdulrasak BELLO)
It was a typical death of a prince, a remarkable prince at that, that evoked blazing forth of its occurrence by the heavens. The creme-de-la-creme of the society gathered Saturday for the final burial ceremony of the father of Prince Comrade Samson Tojuade Adedoyin (immediate past chairman of Oyo state Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT), Prince Oyebamij, who died March 23 2024, at the age of 95.
Advertisement
Dignitaries including permanent secretaries/tutors-general, state executives of NUT led by its chairman, Comrade Raji, NUT branches’ executive committees, political office holders – elected and appointed, captains of industries and many other prominent individuals graced the occasion to add glamour to the celebration.
Reverend Dr. Sunday Oyeniran, in his sermon delivered at the service held at Caretaker Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, where Baba attended until his passage, eulogized the deceased while charging the congregation to live with the goal of inheriting the kingdom of God.
Taking his text from John 9:1- 4, the clergyman said while alive, you “have the grace and opportunity to work life-decision of where you are going to spend your eternity and repent and amend your ways. Night is when all works come to an end and there won’t be opportunity to do anything again, in fact, night is when you enter into your reward of what you did in the daytime of your life and you live with that reward forever.”
He therefore urged the congregation to, in discharging the task before them, emulate Jesus Christ whom he highlighted displayed a sense of urgency, commission, responsibility and clear understanding of his mission in life.
The cleric charged further, “give your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour today, discover the purpose for which you have been sent here on earth, pursue your purpose/commission with sense of responsibility and accountability, use your life to serve God and man, use your life to lay up treasures for yourself in heaven and to pursue things of eternal value while it is day and live with eternity in view or focus.”
Advertisement
Concluding, he said, “It is still daytime in your life and this is the time to do what you have been assigned to do by the one who sent you here. You must know that daytime never lasts forever and so make haste while it is day and get to work today. If you have been sleeping while it is day, please wake up from your spiritual slumber and sleep (Romans 13:11-13). Do all you can possibly do today and your reward will be great in heaven.”
The programme ended with a reception at Ogbomoso High School playground where guests were treated to sumptuous meals and exotic drinks, with De-Remight on the bandstand.
It was a glamorous moment that depicted the class and status of the departed, of his children and relatives among whom is Hon Prince Sanjo Adedoyin a.k.a. Sanjay, Oyo State House of Assembly Majority Leader, who came in company with some of his colleagues and local governments’ bosses from Ogbomoso and beyond.
Comrade Tojuade Adedoyin, first child of the deceased, expressed regrets, saying in a tribute, “The entire royal family of Amodu/Adedoyin misses you and will continue to miss your fatherly roles. My father was a very hardworking man who taught us not to be lazy but to be transparent in all our undertakings and to always shun any attempt to cut corners for success in life. His philosophy was HARDWORK and any hard earned money must be spent wisely that made many people believe he was a miser.”
A retired public school principal, Adedoyin added, “Though, he didn’t have the opportunity to have much of a formal education, he made frantic efforts to make sure almost all his children had a good education up to the university level. Baba was a social being in his life time which made him belong to many associations. Our father was a father indeed who played his roles as a father till his last breath. You are our role model, a father every child would wish to have. We are very proud of you and all love you.”
Prince David Oyebamiji Adedoyin was a direct grandson of late Oba Adedoyin, a past Onpetu of Ijeru Kingdom. A carpenter by training, he by dint of hardwork and visionary outlook, became a prominent timber and plank contractor running a successful sawmilling business, and despite lacking formal education; played pronounced roles in life among which was rising to become a pioneer Director of Ologbon Microfinance Bank (formerly Ologbon Community Bank), Ogbomoso just as he served as Chairman Credit Committee as a Board of Directors’ member, this is a bank he helped to found in July 1994. He was on the board of the bank between 1994 and 2014 when he retired.
Advertisement
In a letter of condolence, signed by its Acting Managing Director and Interim Board Chairman, Onigbinde Omolara and Mr. Ajekigbe Amos respectively, the bank states, “Baba was peaceful, selfless and amiable during his tenure. Record has it that he willingly released a portion of his house for the commencement of operation of the bank,” adding, “Even though he died at a ripe old age his death still remains a great loss. The present board members and staff of the bank will continue to remember the great support and progressive impact he made towards Ologbon Microfinance Bank Ltd.”
He was conferred with several awards of service including the Oyo State Timber Magnate Award by the Human Advancement Project.
What else can man want? Adieu!
