Nigerians especially Christians have been urged to always live their lives while on earth with the sole focus of making heaven in death.
Bishop, Diocese of Agodi in Ibadan Archdiocese, The Rt Revd Simeon O. Onaleke, gave the charge in his sermon during the Christian wake of Sir Chief Solomon Oluokun Babalola, the Baba Ijo of Methodist Church Nigeria, Alakia (Sanctuary of Joy).
The cleric said that no one embark on a race without taken cognizance of the rules and principles guiding the competition.
For a Christian to end up in heaven, he or she has to live righteously while on earth having surrendered his/her life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
The principles of the kingdom included total obedience to God, self control, loving your neighbours as yourself.
Bishop Onaleke admonished that in spite of the faith one professes, he “must live well to end well and abide by whatever medical advises from qualifed medical practitioners.”
He tasked the children of the deceased to toe the path left behind by their father by sustain his legacies in Methodist Church Nigeria Alakia in Babalola village of Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.
All the people who spoke in the Service of songs on the life and times of Sir Oluokun Babalola testified that he was a lover of God, a soldier of Christ, a devoted Methodist, a bridge builder, a unifier, lover of anything good and an icon who sees other peoples’ problems as he’s.
Dignitaries at the service included a retired Registrar of University of Ibadan, Chief Mrs Mojisola Oladipo; and the National President of Methodist Men’s Fellowship, Sir Dr Kehinde Oladeji who represented the Ibadan Chapter, Council of Knights.
The Methodist Archbishop of Lagos, The Most Revd Ayobami Olawuyi, The Rt Rev Dr Samuel O. Osundina of Ikorodu Diocese and The Rt Revd Dr J. Olu Akinola led the retinue of men of God at the well attended service.
The family members and relatives had embarked on a motorcade procession to celebrate Sir Chief Solomon Oluokun Babalola from UI Anatomy to his Comfort Origbebe Cottage residence, Ore-Ofe Estate, Elewi-Odo, Ibadan.
Methodist Cathedral of Light, Agodi, Ibadan would host dignitaries from all walks of life as farewell service is billed to hold there on today, November 8th by 10am before interment at the church vault.
Sir Chief Oluokun Babalola was a community leader in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital; a former President of the prestigious Omo Aj’orosun Club, Ibadan and a Knight of John Wesley.
The Bobajiro of Ikereku in Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan passed on at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan on August 10.
Born April 16, 1952, late Sir Oluokun Babalola had been a Choirister since his youthful days. He was a lover of Methodism who single handedly built a church in honour of his late Father, Pa David Babalola in Babalola Village of Akinyele Local Government.
He was survived by wife, Children, Grandchildren, relatives and aged mother.
