Obafemi Sunday
A member of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ODIEC), Temitope Omotosho alongside his siblings, on Friday, laid to eternal rest, his mother; late Madam Esther Abiye Omotosho, Nee Owoyemi.
Dignitaries from within and outside Ondo state joined the Omotosho family to bid Mrs. Esther Omotosho goodnight, at a Christian wake held in her son’s residence at Iju, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Mama Esther Omotosho who passed away at the r age of 75 . She is survived by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
The deceased was a business tycoon who traded in fabrics and other petty trading during her lifetime.
Funeral service for the reposed soul of the departed Matriarch was held at the Ministry of Christ Healing Gospel International, Ori-Oke Eletuloju, Iju Ondo State, before her remains was interred, where the clerics and well wishers described the late Madam Esther Omotosho as a dedicated Christian before her demise.
In his Sermon, the presiding Cleric of the Church, Pastor John Atoode urged the children of the deceased not to be depressed or heart broken over the loss of their mother, adding that it’s a great day when one dies, as people whom the dead left behind would use the avenue to reflect on their life and move more closer to God.
“It’s a great day when one dies, this is more reason it’s good for Christians to be attending funeral service in order to examine themselves and put their lives on the part of wisdom” .
Atoode who also took a solace reading from the book of Ecclesiastes 7:1 further urged the children of the late madam Omotosho to continuing uphold the good name the deceased had during her lifetime stressing that a good name is better than precious ointment and day of death than day of one’s birth.
He as well counselled the congregants to visit the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, adding that one day will be one day when everyone will die, while advising them to examine their characters and their ways of life with people in the society, saying everyone shall give the account of their stewardship on earth before God Almighty.
“If you’re righteous before God, you need not to fear death, as death can come knocking anytime and only wicked people who didn’t follow the tenets and ordinance of God are the one fearing death, so death is a way to eternal life for the righteous, while it’s also a way to eternal damnation for the wicked” He said.
He also urged them to believe in God and have faith in Jesus Christ whom he said has gone before God to plead the human cause and prepare a place for them in heaven, noting that everything on the planet earth are ephemeral while urging them to shun the love of money which he added is the root of all evil, in order for them to inherit the heaven.
The Cleric who also read from 2nd Corinthian 5:9-10 asserted that human can be confident in all circumstances, whether they are at home or away from either the body or the Lord, while emphasising that living in Christ and dying in him is gainful, he tasked the congregation to believe in God Almighty and do his will stressing that all shall appear before the throne of judgement of God on the resurrection morning.
Hon. Temitope Omotosho in an interview with newsmen described the death of his mother as monumental loss to him, saying a great void has been left behind as Mama was a phenomenal personality who cared for everyone around her and beyond, especially family.
“She was compassionate, loving and had a great level of faith that things will always work itself out, no matter how seemingly difficult it may seem at the time.”
Also the first daughter of the late madam Esther Omotosho, Mrs. Olawumi Bukola also described her late mother as a model for Christianity, adding that she was an embodiment of love, care, spirituality and that beyond missing her.
After the body of the late madam Esther Omotosho was committed to the mother earth in her residence, a reception for the dignitaries who graced the occasion was held where creame de la creame in society and in the politics of Ondo state to include; Hon. Kolawole Ologede member Ondo State House of Assembly. Akure North, Hon. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, Director General Ayedatiwa for Governor. Hon. Tayo Fayanju immediate passed chairman Akure North Local Government.
Others include; Chairman Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ODIEC) Dr. Igbekele Aremo, former Chairman, Igbaotun LCDA, Hon. ibikunle Ogunniyi, Permanent Secretary ODIEC, Jatuase Igbekele, Ex-Chairman Akure South Local Government, Barr. Gbenga Olaniyi with other important personalities from all walks of life in attendance, as a popular high life music maestro performed to the delight of the guests.