.Church takes pride in great impact made by the deceased, says cleric
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti (BOUESTI) Chapter, has immortalized a former Governing Council member of the institution, the late Pastor Olumide Frederick Akinrotohun, in recognition of his sacrifices for the staff while in service.
The Union has named its Cooperative Building after the late don in recognition of his integrity in service, selflessness, empathy and commitment to the welfare of the staff while occupying various key positions in the old College of Education, Ikere Ekiti which was later upgraded to a university.
The decision was announced at a funeral service held in honour of the deceased yesterday at the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Chapel of Mercy, Atosin, Idanre, Ondo State which was attended by distinguished personalities from all walks of life.
Prof Oke Ajogbeje, who led the staff to lay wreath on the casket and pay tributes to their departed former colleague said the union decided to immortalize the late Akinrotohun for displaying uncommon integrity in managing the cooperative funds and supervising equitable disbursement to members.
The GOFAMINT Assistant General Overseer (Church Growth), Pastor Peter Olaoluwa Oludimila, said the church is proud of the late Pastor Akinrotohun for making a great impact and being a great ambassador of the church in different sectors of life.
Ajogbeje said even after Akinrotohun had retired from service, the staff unanimously decided to keep him as the chairman of the cooperative body and was never found wanting in the discharge of his responsibilities.
He said: “This great man served the staff of BOUESTI immensely and sacrificially, he touched our lives and we are here to celebrate his legacy. We have decided to immortalize him by naming our Cooperative Building after him. It will henceforth be known as Olumide Frederick Akinrotohun Cooperative Building.”
The Alade, Idanre-born academic served as the Chairman of Academic Staff Cooperative Multipurpose Society and former President of the Cooperative Society, College of Education, Ikere Ekiti.
Other key positions held by the deceased included Dean, Students Affairs; Chairman, Students Disciplinary Committee; Chairman, Examination Malpractice Committee, Head of Department at various times and the Chaplain of the institution until his death on 17th August, 2024.
There were tributes from the senior ministers in GOFAMINT where the deceased retired as a District Pastor, old students of Aquinas College, Akure, his alma mater and children of the church who saw him as a father figure and his kinsmen who trooped out in their numbers to pay their last respect.
Pastor Oludimila in his sermon at the funeral service titled “The Day of Harvest,” urged the congregation to always be prepared for a day their Creator will harvest their souls from this present world “as everybody will leave at the appointed time.”
The clergyman charged his audience to utilize the opportunity of being alive to make amends, repent from their sins and make a decision to commit the rest of their lives to holiness, righteousness, purity and service of God to be part of His kingdom.
“With each step we take in life, we move nearer to our graves; there is just a step between life and death. That is why w must make a decision to be committed o God because the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night,” Oludimila said.
The mortal remains of the late Pastor Akinrotohun were committed to mother earth during the interment presided over by the Regional Pastor for GOFAMINT Region 10, Pastor Clement Ojo Abe.