Family, friends and church members celebrate the life and legacy of Mama Esther Ayoola at her wake keep in Ogbomoso.

The wake keep for Mama Esther Oyeduntan Atoke Ayoola of Pakoyi’s Compound, Ojajagun, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, took place on Thursday at Christ Heritage Baptist Church, Oke Anu, Ogbomoso.

Family members, neighbours, church members, friends and relatives who attended the wake keep described Mama Esther Ayoola as a devoted Christian who contributed her quota to the service of God and humanity.

One of the church members and President of the Women Missionary Union (WMU), Christ Heritage Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Mrs Funmilayo Alamu, thanked God for the life of Mama Esther Ayoola, describing her as a committed and dedicated member of the WMU who channelled her resources towards the expansion of God’s kingdom within and outside her community.
Mrs Funmilayo Alamu described Mama Esther Ayoola as a virtuous mother who loved, cared for and assisted everyone around her until she was called to glory.
On his part, one of her in-laws and General Overseer of Divine Progress Apostolic Church of Christ, Iluju, Prophet Oyawale Ilufoye, described Mama Esther Ayoola as a loving mother-in-law who gave all she had to support her children towards becoming self-reliant in their endeavours.
Also in her tribute, a relative, Mrs Deborah Oyebanji, said Mama Esther Ayoola was a fantastic sister to her relatives and prayed that God would grant her eternal rest.
In his tribute, Mama’s Sunday School Teacher, Pastor Samuel Adetunji, expressed gratitude to God that Mama Esther Ayoola was a truly devoted Christian who served the Lord in truth and spirit.
In his tribute, the Minister in charge of Christ Heritage Baptist Church, Oke Anu Area, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Rev. Dr. Sola-Bisi Olaniyan, described death as an inevitable experience for all human beings, noting that the memory of the righteous would forever be blessed.
“To be precise, before Mama Esther Ayoola answered the call beyond, she was a devoted Christian, hospitable, generous, humble, appreciative, prayerful, a loving great grandmother and highly respectful,” he said.
Rev. Dr. Sola-Bisi Olaniyan stated that Mama Esther Ayoola was a bona fide member of both Aanu Oluwapo Society and Women’s Missionary Society of the church.
In his words, “Precisely, she was dedicated to mission activities by inviting new people who relocated to her area to join the membership of her church, which she succeeded in bringing many into. She also assisted her friend who lost both sights to the church from time to time in order to attend programmes.”
“Oh, what a missionary woman of our time! Indeed, this experience caused me to be astonished when I heard the story of Mama’s passing on to glory; even though, I believe that death is the last enemy to be destroyed (1 Cor. 15:26)!”
“Good night Mama and sleep on at the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ whom you served, till we shall meet to part no more!”
In a sermon, Reverend Sunday Areo admonished Christians to always magnify Christ in death.
Reverend Areo noted that a wake keep is not organized because of the dead but for those who are still alive to amend their ways towards gaining eternity.
The wake keep was also attended by the Minister in charge of First Baptist Church, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Reverend Deji Oyelami; members of First Baptist Church, Gwagwalada, Abuja; staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); friends and relatives, as well as other well-wishers.