TELL
It was an emotional gathering. Men and women from all walks of life were at the House of Favour, one of the parishes of the Redeemed Chritian Church of God, RCCG, in the Redemption City of God, along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway on Thursday and Friday, November 12 and 13, 2026. They were there to bid Pastor Olatokunbo Oluseyi Olubiyi farewell. Olubiyi, until her death, the deputy registrar (student affairs) at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, LASUSTECH, died on first of November this year, during a brief illness. She was aged 61.
During the service of songs held in her honour on Thursday, Pastor Sola Agunbiade, a pastor in charge of Province , leaning on passages in the Bible, said it is important for every believer to always prepare for the day he or she would meet the Lord. Quoting 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 6 to 8, he said believers should emulate Apostle Paul who said with confidence that he had ‘finished the race’ and was prepared to meet the “Righteous Judge” from whom he would receive the ‘crown of righteousness”. Pastor Agunbiade said Apostle Paul was a man who knew his purpose on earth, had diligently worked to achieve it and had no fear that he would be well received in heaven.
Since the holy book said every one will die, the pastor admonished the audience take to heart the teaching in Luke chapter 12 verse 4, which says that no man should be afraid of death. Rather, what is to be feared is God, the owner of life, who will ask questions at the end of the journey of life. According to him, that is why it is important that each person should use his or her talent to achieve the purpose designed by the creator.
Speaking to the title of his sermon, ‘When Your Time Is Up’, Pastor Agunbiade said no death will occur without the knowledge of God. He quoted Job 14 verse 5 and 2 Kings 13: 21 to buttress the point that one leaves this world only when his or her time is up.
His sermon prepared the ground for the one given by Pastor Alexander Haastrup, regional pastor (administration), RCCG Region 23, titled “Death is not the End”, which was delivered on Friday November 13, at the funeral service in the same venue. He said the Bible has shown that believers will see their beloved on resurrection day. He cited Luke 16 verse 23, which shows the dead rich man pleading with Abraham to send Lazarus to give him water, to demonstrate the point that those who die on earth will invariably meet in heaven. He said, “There will be communication again,” adding that since death is not the end, believers must be prepared to finish well. He reminded his audience that death is not a respecter of persons nor does it arrange his visit according to the age of people. Though he said that death is the selector of time, who cannot be bribed, its visit closes one door, but opens another door. The question is, “Which door will be opened for you, heaven or hell?” He admonished his audience to ensure that death being a conveyor belt should transport them to heaven.
The deceased, going by the testimonies at the event, was a model for lovers of hard work, a humanitarian who loved putting smiles on the face of everyone who crossed her path, one who would not close her eyes to the sufferings of a neighbour or colleague. Daughter of Oluwa family in Lagos, Olatokunbo was a brave one who fought just causes. Old school mates, friends and church members said they would miss her role as a unifier as well as her caring spirit. And as deputy registrar, the management of LASUSTECH said the institution would miss her contributions to the development of the university. In the message sent by the vice chancellor, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, who was represented by Professor Abiodun Denloye, deputy vice chancellor (academic), the university praised the deceased for her noble role in the period she served there.
The occasion was graced by family members, friends of the family, church members, old school mates at the University of Lagos and her secondary school, as well as colleagues at LASUSTECH. Also present were representatives of Alh.Chief Adewale Oluwa Rosullulahi, the traditional ruler of Oluwa Kingdom, in the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.
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