The remains of the father of Ekiti NUJ Correspondent Vice Chairman, Prince Gbenga Sodeinde, Olu of Iju Gbalefa, Late Oba Olufemi Sodeinde, have been buried.
The final rites took place on Friday at the Palace at Iju Gbalefa, following a church service held at The African Church St. Peter's Parish, City of Joy, Iju.
In his sermon, titled "Is Your Heaven Assured?", the Vicar-in-Charge, Ven. James Oyekola, harped on the need for all and sundry to be of good deeds always, so as to enjoy eternal life in the hereafter, just as the late monarch had been of outstanding qualities in his dealings with fellow human beings, family, community, and church.
Quoting from the Bible, Galatians 5:19, Ven. Oyekola stated that the worldly earth is meaningless, adding that heaven is more meaningful than this life. Connecting his sermon to the life of the late monarch, the cleric described Late Oba Sodeinde as an affable, peaceful, and generous man who had contributed immensely to the growth and development of the parish.
The Presiding Bishop of Old Catholic Church, Nigeria and Africa, Most Rev. Oluwaseun Fagboun, described the deceased as a great man worthy of being celebrated, adding that Oba Sodeinde was a man of peace, as it takes a man of peace to live a long life with all the troubles of the world. "He has done great. He was a generous man, going by his donation of 500 hectares of land to the University of Ibadan." He is a national figure worthy of being celebrated.
Also speaking, one of the sons of the late monarch, who is alo the THIS DAY Newspaper correspondent in Ekiti, Prince Gbenga Sodeinde, described his father as a peace-loving personality, a kind-hearted person who always loved to put smiles on the faces of people who approached him.
"Kabiyesi, in his lifetime, was a man of peace to the core. A man that loves God, his community, state, and family. He worked for the good of others, and in this aspect, he was a silent achiever. I've met many people who had attested to his sterling qualities, and they were bold to tell me that if not for his magnanimity, they would not have become what they are today. I would love to imbibe more of his generosity because I've met many who attested to his positive contributions and impact in their lives."
The eldest daughter, Mrs. Mojisola Sodeinde, stated that she was grateful and happy for the structure of life that the late monarch instilled in the lives of his offspring, describing it as one that instills the needed discipline in the lives of his children. "Looking back, I am grateful that my father gave us those boundaries and discipline we needed to become what we are today."
On the sterling qualities of her father that she would love to imbibe more, she added, "In one word, all of those sterling qualities describe a great man, and he was when it comes to dealing with people. He understood people; some of us tend to say, because people are not trustworthy, we won't replicate love. My father was never like that. He is a lover of people. He gives people the benefit of the doubt; to raise the bar, even if you intend to do something to him, you will think twice." "I wish to emulate him in those values of having trust and faith in people. Thank you, Daddy; you are a great man," she concluded.
Representatives of the Olowu of Owu kingdom, Olu of Akinhale, Owu chiefs, clerics, and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony. Highlights of the ceremony include entertainment of guests, family, and well-wishers.
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