Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has extolled the virtues of the late Mama Elizabeth Areola Oke, mother of the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, saying that she lived a fruitful and fulfilled life.
Makinde, who stated this at the final funeral service for the deceased held at James Oke Memorial Church, Kasumu, Ibadan, last Friday, said the late matriarch of the Oke family not only lived long but also led an impactful life in her environment.
He said: “This is not time to mourn; it is time to celebrate a life well spent; it is time to celebrate Mama. So, I’m glad that I’m here to be part of this celebration. Even those people that don’t know our late mother, merely seeing Mama’s children, you will all agree that Mama lived a well fulfilled life. She was a fruitful woman; she has an impact in her environment.
“I’m also from across the expressway. Our village and this village were once in one local government before it was cut into two and then we talk in Ona Ara local government, which is on the other side of the expressway. So, we used to be one and the same people; so I know a little bit about this place and the impact Mama has made. I’m happy to be here today to be one of the people celebrating a life well spent.”
He promised to grant the request of Bishop Wale Oke to extend the ongoing 2.2km Olodo-Kasumu- Owobale road construction to link Erunmu and Lalupon, just as he charged residents of the area not to sell their land, noting that the road when completed would boost the economy of the area.
“My message to the people of this village is please don’t sell your land. I’m standing on the altar of God to say that I will finish it before the end of my tenure in office. And the Circular Road, they’re already clearing it. So, all I can say is please beware of land grabbers; they will swoop on this area very soon. So, don’t sell your land, hold it,” he advised.
Speaking to the congregation, the Diocesan Bishop of Ibadan North, Rt. Reverend William Aladekugbe, emphasised the profound responsibility each individual bears for his or her actions and inactions.
Drawing from the story of Lazarus and the rich man from the book of Matthew 25: 21, he described what the judgment day would look like, stressing that all will stand before Christ to give account of their lives.
In his appreciation remarks, Oke commended the governor for the infrastructural revolution in the state being witnessed under his administration. Dignitaries at the occasion included former military administrator of Ogun and Oyo states, Major General Oladayo Popoola; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, ably represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives; immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Lawal; former deputy governor of the state, Hazeem Gbolarunmi, among others.
