Erinje agog as Pa. James Emmanuel Olanegan ( Eeja) is buried.
– Steve Ovirih.
The remains of a community leader and respected stakeholder of the Okerugbo Quarters of Ode Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government , Late Pa. James Emmanuel Olanegan, popularly called ‘ Baba Eeja’ has been laid to rest.
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The burial of Pa. Olanegan attracted dignitaries from Okitipupa Local Government and beyond as the town came alive with activities and heavy traffic was recorded all through Friday, the 6th of May in the quiet community.
Christian wake had held at Pa. Olanegan’s residence on Thursday , while on Friday, children , relatives and friends gathered at the Ode Erinje Local Church of Methodist Church Nigeria ( MCN).
In his funeral sermon, Revd. Emmanuel Osukoya from Methodist Church, Ajagba Circuit , quoting from The Acts of The Apostles Chapter 9 verse 36, advised Christians to lead the life of Christ and to be conscious of the fact that we all write our testament on the way we live our lives. He said Christians are not supposed to live their lives outside the grace of God, stressing that people will have something to say about us when we are gone, but how we live our lives to fulfil Christ way is our ticket to heaven.
Revd. Osukoya congratulated the children of Pa. Olanegan whom God gave the grace to survive their father, noting that in his life time, Pa. Olanegan was a strong pillar of the Methodist Church Ode Erinje.
Thanksgiving service followed after the funeral service as Pa. Olanegan’s children and their well-wishers danced to thank God for the life and time of their sage.
The comital held at the deceased compound after which reception and entrainment of guests followed in the town.
Alhaji Bello , the socialite and Juju maestro from Apoi land was on ground to supply music to sizzle the atmosphere at the reception that followed.
Olamitan Olanegan, the deceased first child who spoke on behalf of his siblings said she will miss their father and all her siblings will miss him too, describing him as a loving and caring father to have.
In his own view, Prince Kunle Ayeku, nephew to Pay. Olanegan said his uncle was a man with a big heart and a father not just to his children but to the entire Okerugbo Quarters. He said he knew him right from when he was young as he always visited his mother from time to time.
Prince Ayeku said though his father is from Gbodigo , the warmth and intimacy he enjoyed with Pa. Olanegan has made him to identify very intimately with his mother’s homestead at Erinje.
Prince Ayeku said Baba Eeja made it possible for him to return to Erinje and assisted him in erecting a country home in his mother’s home town. He said the entire Okerugbo Quarters will miss the contribution of Pa. Olanegan to the development of the quarter and Erinje in general.
Prince Akinmoye , Permanent Secretary in Ondo State, who was at the event also paid his tribute to Pa. Olanegan. Akinmoye said Baba Eeja was a father to all and a truth Sayer who doesn’t shy away from the fact no matter how inconvenient the truth might sound. He said Baba lived a good life and his contributions shall be felt while his legacies as a strong grassroots developer will continue to speak for him in Erinje land.
