Pa Olagoke: A Journey of Grace, by Bode Olagoke

He didn’t live much in wealth but he enjoyed grace of the Almighty.

Growing up to know my father, Pa Joseph Ajayi Ayinla Olagoke, was an unforgettable experience that came with virtues of honesty, boldness, courage, hardworking and strong belief in the Almighty.

Baba fought poverty to a standstill. He did all manners of jobs to survive and to put food on the table for the family members. He was not ashamed of menial jobs, aside from his craft which he was very good at (Baba Jakan).

Social wise, Baba was a very neat man with a good sense of dressing. A well known in his social circle. “Amolegbe group”, his popular entertainment singing-team will not forget him in a hurry

In the Church of God, Baba was always leading service every Sunday. He had no education but he could read many Psalms without looking at the Bible. His favourite chapters were Psalms 51, 23, 24, 130 and many others. Baba hate adulterated doctrine.

Many years ago, the first day I was to travel out of Okeho to Ibadan for the first time, after my Junior Secondary education, Baba called me to his room and gave me an instruction which I still practice till today. He told me that whenever I want to travel to anywhere or attend any meeting I should never forget to read Psalm 23 and cover myself with the blood of Jesus. This I have done religiously since I was a toddler.

This was how my father introduced us to the way of the Lord. He never told us about any idol, blood sacrifice or visit to any herbalist but history made me to understand that he had many in his lineage.

The Holy Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 that “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope…

Verse 18 says “Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”

In the above we are comforted.

Thank you for the privilege of being your son. Thank you for your name OLAGOKE. Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for all your hard labour.

For us today, it is a thanksgiving service to the giver of life because inspite of the old age sickness that held him down in the last few years, Baba’s spirit did not surrender until the right time.

Baba had a rare grace to know exactly when he would die. He told my sisters when the time was up. I spoke with him when he revealed this to us and he reconfirmed it, “Sunday I will soon go” he told me emphatically.

Therefore, for every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year that Pa Olagoke lived here on earth, we are here to return glory to the giver of life.

Thank you, the Almighty God, for the life of my father. We refuse to mourn like those who do not have hope of eternity. I believe that by the grace and mercies of the Lord, we shall meet again at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sun re o, baba mi.