- It was a pensive mood at St. Paul’s Anglican church, Lebi , Okitipupa as the remains of the pioneer Bishop of Irele/Ese Odo Missionary Diocese , Rt. Revd Felix Olamigoke Akinbuluma was brought in for funeral service. His burial programme had started on Thursday, the 22nd of March with a Christian wake at The Bishop’s court, Sabomi road , Irele and a commendation service at the Cathedral of Irele /Ese Odo , after which his body moved down to his home church at Lebi Okitipupa for a well attended funeral service on Friday, the 23rd of March, 2018.
In his sermon, Most Revd. Latunji Lasebikan encouraged Christians not to be dismayed by the departure of this great soldier of the Lord, noting that God gives and God takes, and His ways nobody can fathom.
He noted that God used Moses and took him away when He felt his work was done, thus we should encourage ourselves rather than being permanently mournful like pagans, whose assumption is that there is no such reality like life after death. The cleric advised christian faithfuls to be prepared for the final call, which may come at anytime.
While giving credence to the astute commitment of Late Akinbuluma to the kingdom’s business, Most.Revd.Lasebikan said the deceased threw himself headlong into God’s work and caused a serious turn around in Irele/Ese Odo missionary Diocese. He described him as a builder and indefatigable soldier of God’s kingdom whose death though a great blow to the communion and a huge loss, was a huge gain for heaven.
The Most Revd. Dr. Nicholas Okoh, Archbishop , Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria, in his goodwill message to the communion at the funeral service condoled with the Diocese of Irele/Ese Odo, the family of Akinbuluma and St. Paul’s Lebi. He noted that the death of his Bishop Brother was a painful development ; he however thanked the Lord that Late Bishop Akinbuluma led a life that was worthy of emulation, a life well spent in the vineyard of the Lord tendering to God’s sheep all through his lifetime even until his last breath paused. The Primate assured the family that God is with them and the church of Nigeria Anglican communion is also with them.
The funeral service which was a communion service attracted Bishops across the country and eminent dignitaries from within and beyond Ondo state.
The remains of Rt. Revd Felix Olamigoke Akinbuluma was committed to mother earth at within the premises of his home church at Lebi Okitipupa .
On the sideline of the funeral, The Primate , His Grace , Most Revd Okoh in a chat with the polity .com asked the church of the Lord to continue to be steadfast in God’s work and everyone should be prepared for the final whistle which death implies. He said the work of God at the Diocese left behind by Bishop Akinbuluma will continue and the church will continue to appreciate the giant stride of the late Bishop.
Also speaking with the polity.com, the Archbishop of Ondo Ecclessiastical Province, The Most Revd. Dr Tunji Lasebikan said no matter how young or old a patriarch, his death is always painful. “But who are we to blame God?” he quipped. Lasebikan said God buried Moses and continued his work with the children of Israel, thus we are grateful as the bible encourages that in all things , as Christians, we should give thanks.
In her tribute, his wife, Mrs Arinola Akinbuluma described the late Bishop as a man who loved him unconditionally, adding that her husband meant everything to her. She noted that there were not enough words to describe how important her husband was . Mrs Akinbuluma said her heart aches , noting that his death is a huge loss.
The Lord Bishop, Diocese on the coast , Rt. Revd Ebunoluwa Ogunele in his tribute noted that Bishop Akinbuluma’s death was not only shocking but devastating. ” The blow was hard and the shock severe . I never dreamt your
death so near; it is hard to say goodbye because I am going to miss you,” Bishop Ogunele said.
Rt. Revd. Awosoga however blessed the Lord for the late Bishop whom he said spent his entire life in the service of God. Awosoga admitted that his death was no doubt a painful loss, praying God to uphold his family.
Rt. Revd Adepoju in his condolence noted, ” gone so soon, who are we to question God? We take solace in the fact that you are resting in the bosom of the Lord whom you had served diligently. Sleep on God’s faithful soldier.”
Chief Mrs. Ogbonne Nkemdilim , Superintendent of Nigeria Customs, Tin can Ireland port, Lagos, and Asiwaju Obinrin, Diocese of Irele/ Ese Odo in a chat with the polity.com at the funeral said she was still in shock that the sun had set so unexpectedly for Bishop Akinbuluma. She said it has not been up to two months when the Bishop dedicated her house in Lagos, adding that there was no indication that the man of God was going to leave so soon. Chief Nkedilim lamented that the Lord Bishop left when his labour of love for the Diocese was about to begin to germinate. While noting that Bishop Akinbuluma took her as a daughter , she said she was happy that she stood by the Lord Bishop to ensure that his hands were strengthened due to the many hurdles militating against the growth of evangelism at Irele/ Ese Odo missionary Diocese.
His son, Samuel Iyanu Akinbuluma also described his father’s death as painful, noting that the last time he returned from school for his sister’s wedding there was no indication of such a sudden demise. He however said , he has taken solace in the fact that his Dad has gone to be with the Lord, who knows best.
Rt. Revd. Felix Olamigoke Akinbuluma was born in 1959. He schooled at both Ikoya and Stella Maris College Okitipupa. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. He was priesthed in 1989 and consecrated a Bishop in 2009.
