Posted by By YETUNDE OLADEINDE, FEMI BABAFEMI, IME OLA, CHRISTOPHER OJI and AGATHA EMEADI on
Emotions rose to the rooftops Wednesday in Lagos where the remains of renowned Fountain of Life Church Pastor, Mrs. Bimbo Odukoya, who died in the Sosoliso DC-9 plane crash, were interred at the Victoria Court Cemetery.
Emotions rose to the rooftops Wednesday in Lagos where the remains of renowned Fountain of Life Church Pastor, Mrs. Bimbo Odukoya, who died in the Sosoliso DC-9 plane crash, were interred at the Victoria Court Cemetery.
This is coming at a time the late pastor's husband, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, declared that God did not make a mistake by taking away his wife who he described as his angel.
The atmoshpere had earlier been charged at the funeral service held at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) by the message of Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, who declared that recent happenings in the country are all indications that Nigeria is terribly sick. Added to this was the emotion-laden tribute of the wife of Lagos State Governor, Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu, who left the podium weeping uncontrollably after rendering a hymn in memory of her friend.
Besides, the last born of the family, Oluwatobi Odukoya, further heightened emotions when she pleaded with all that the death of her mother should not be allowed to go in vain.
Speaking at the funeral service of the 45-year old tele-evangelist, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya described his late wife as an angel that came into his life and gone, adding that he can never question God on the untimely death of Pastor Bimbo.
According to him, God had given him a hint of what was to come early in December when God told him to declare it as the month of celebration. He said he did that without knowing that it was going to be the celebration of the life and times of his beloved wife.
Pastor Odukoya, who was dressed in a black shirt said, "In all my life, I have never celebrated like I have this past one week."
He said that though "Bimbo Odukoya can't be replaced, she has been reproduced in many vessels. I can assure you that her work will not die. Many more like Bimbo Odukoya will emerge."
To achieve this, a charity organisation, tagged "PBO Foundation," was launched and supported by guests present at the service before they proceeded to the Victoria Court Cemetery, Lekki where her corpse was interred.
Besides senior government officials like Governor Bola Tinubu and his commissioners, the event equally attracted eminent men of God, including Bishops David Oyedepo, Lanre Obembe, Wale Oke, Mike Okonkwo, Revd Wilson Badejo, Revd Joe Olaiya, Dr Yinka Omololu, Dr Ademola Isola, Revd Chris Okotie, Pastors J. T. Kalejaiye, Ayo Oritsejafor and Paul Adefarasin, among others.
In a related development, Pastor Bimbo came alive Tuesday night at the Police College, Lagos when a mammoth crowd gathered in her honor at a Christian wake. The event had started with an opening prayer and followed by praise and worship. One of the hymns was "Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well."
The Bible reading was taken from Mattew 25:31-46 while the preaching was not sober but encouraging and uplifting.
Speakers extolled Pastor Odukoya's virtues. She was described as a pastor after the heart of her flock, a role model, a woman who touched lives and healed many marriages.