Passage

By Anthony Isibor

FOR those who attended the burial of the late Samuel Akala, 90, father of Reverend Father Keyinde Akala, the solemn ceremony was a moment of celebration rather than mourning. The children, friends, and relations described his death as a glorious exit as they danced and thanked God for giving the deceased longevity during the requiem Mass.

Realnews reports that the tributes they paid to the late Samuel stated that although his life, death, and burial have come and gone, his legacies will continue to reverberate for very many years to come.

The funeral Mass was held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Idabata, Ogun State, on Tuesday, March 21, by Reverend Father Alaka, who is also the parish priest of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Oke-Ado, Ogun State, in the presence of Most Reverend Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo, Catholic Archbishop of Abeokuta Diocese, and Most Reverend. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Diocese, represented by Rev. Father Anthony Godonu.

It was therefore not surprising that all the tributes from his children described him in a positive light and were all a true reflection of the life that late Akala lived.

Despite his old age, Kehinde Oladipupo Michael Akala, one of his sons in his tribute said he never thought that this “day would quickly arrive when I would no longer be able to see you.

“Baba Beji, to me you were the best father of all time, maybe this is the reason why the pain of losing you is just too heavy for me to bear. I am missing you. Rest in peace till we part no more.”

On his part, Reverend Father Akala, in his tribute, described the late father as a beacon of light that shines for the world to see, who cherished hard work, honesty, love, generosity, sacrifice, steadfastness, and dedication to God’s service.

For Rachael Taiwo Akala, daughter and Akala Esther Mayyon, daughter-in-law, the late Samuel Olabiyi Akala was an embodiment of love and care, a dependable ally.

 Rachael in her tribute described him as her personal assistant, gist partner, prayer warrior, and her everything.

“If only my tears could bring you back to life, I will cry till you wake up but God knows the best, rest on Dad till we meet to part no more,”

while Mayyon, said: “Despite your age, you touched so many lives, especially those who are close to you, my father-in-law was very generous and accommodating. You successfully finished the race and have gone to take the diadem especially reserved for people like you, we shall miss you, my father-in-law, you will ever be remembered by us all Good night my dear Icon of a true Christian. Rest in the bosom of your Lord till that resurrection morning we shall meet and part no more.”

Looking at the life of the well-celebrated nonagenarian through his biography which was signed by the family, Late Samuel Olabiyi Akala was born into the family of late Akala Ayinde Adegbaajo and Alaba Paari Bankole Adegbaajo on October 27, 1933, and began his elementary education at the Methodist Primary School, Iganmi, from where he later proceeded to District High School, Ipokia, for his Higher education.

 Baba as he was fondly called, began his career as a young graduate at Mobil Oil, Idiroko, in the year 1950, and later joined the frontier hotel along border road Idiroko.

In 1952 Baba was stopped from work due to the political crisis between Demon and Obuga, and Baba started hustling from his mother’s place, Daagbe in the Republic of Benin. In October 1960, Baba received baptism at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ado-Odo.

In April 1981, the door of employment opened for him again with the Ogun State government as a Health Attendant posted to General Hospital, Idiroko, where he worked and retired in the year 2011. In the year 2001, the chief makers of our land gathered together and deem it fit to award Baba a post for his wisdom in uniting both Egun and Yoruba together in the community, and he was made Chief Balogun of IDABATA land.

Late Samuel Olabiyi Akala is survived by his widow, promising children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and step-grandchildren. 

A.

Tags: Most Reverend Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo Rev. Father Anthony Godonu. Reverend Father Keyinde Akala