Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada The late father of the Permanent Secretary, Osun State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Alhaji Fatai Kolawole and Baba Adinni of Modakeke, Alhaji Kolawole Tiamiyu who died recently at the aged of 100, has been described as a man of exceptional character who gave all his belonging to serve others.
The Chief Imam of Modakeke, Alhaji Animashaun Usamot in his sermon made this known at the final FIDAU prayer for the deceased at Modakeke Events Center.
Usamot said further that, “the character Pa Kolawole Tiamiyu displayed while on earth by giving everything to serve, will inspire others to give more of themselves in the service of their brothers and sisters”.
The Chief Imam exhorted the living to learn a lesson from the nature of death saying they should live each day as if it is their last.
According to the Muslim cleric, death is an inevitable end and no matter the nature in which it comes to a person, the important thing is the legacy the individual leaves behind and with which he will be judged.
Also in a lecture delivered by Chief Imam of Ofa, Shiek Muhideen Salmon who “enjoined every human beings irrespective of status to play their roles well by praying for Allah’s guidance and be good followers, said to attain the ripe age of 100 years is a grace from God.
The Chief Imam, also charged the youths to shun negative vices and be law abiding.
The Cleric, who admonished Muslims to imbibe the habit of giving saying that real joy comes from rendering service to others described death as an appointment that no man can avoid keeping.
Quoting copiously from the Quran, the Muslim Cleric declared, “But death does not recognize a professor or a doctor or what ever title or profession a person has.
We should prepare for death at every turn. When we wake up in the morning, we should relate to others as if it is our last day on earth.
And when we return to the house at the end of the day, we should give thanks to Almighty God for sparing our lives”.
According to him, “Only God can determine the time of death of any individual, and he does not share this right with anybody.
So we must be prepared at all time. Let us not be deceived by the trappings of the world because when the soul is taken away from the body, it becomes useless”.
The Cleric who charged the Children of the deceased to follow the foot step of their late father emphasised that, all of them should also learn how to be doing good to others and above all, they should contribute their quotas to the upliftment of others.
Responding unbehalf of other deceased children, the Permanent Secretary, Osun State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Alhaji Fatai Kolawole gives thank to God for the good life their father had lived.
“My father has come and gone, but the work and legacy would continue to remain on earth”, Kolawole added.
He however commended the people that have come to witnessed the final FIDAU ceremony of their father.
Among the personalities who were at the final FIDAU ceremony were traditional rulers from far and near, top government functionaries, political office holders and friends among others.
Reported by Richard Akintade, Osogbo
