Francis 'Jide MAKINWA

 

"Christianity does not stop at knowing God only. It goes further to living the life of Christ which late Prof. Joseph Morounfolu Agbedahunsi, KSM made efforts to live". This assertion was made by Rev. Fr. Michael Ajayi during the Christian Wake service in honour of the deceased at Aurora Conference and Event Centre, Osogbo on Thursday 4th September, 2025. The event was conducted by St. George Catholic Church, Ofatedo, Osun State.

  Fr. Ajayi said the occasion was not merely in grief but in thanksgiving in honour of the life well spent by the late Professor.

He said that the School of the Handicapped in Osogbo would surely miss Prof. Agbedahunsi as he was always there for the celebration of his wife's birthday every year.

 “ Prof Agbedahunsi with his wife were philanthropists who gave some youths scholarship and also give regular support to Seminarians in training. The family always arrange breakfast for the Priests and Religious at Oke Maria annual pilgrimage in Otan Ayegbaju,” the priest said.

 Prof Agbedahunsi was a friend to many Ministers and Christians of many denominations while still keeping his Catholic faith.

  Fr. Ajayi said, as a family man, Prof was an understanding husband, a great pillar both to the wife and to the children. Prof and his wife complimented each other and this made the family stood out concerning accountability and meticulousness.

 Attaining the age of seventy in December, 2024, Prof Agbedahunsi was ready to go back to meet God and was ready to say with St. Paul; "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith". (2 Timothy 4:7-8). He professed that, when he was about to die by requesting for the holy Rosary as his last prayer. He said the "Hail Mary" and died immediately after, peacefully, without struggling or gasping in the presence of his wife and some trusted friends. Even though Prof looked frail in appearance before then, nobody thought he would die so soon, but he was fully prepared for it as he achieved his aim on earth.

  Fr. Ajayi reminded the congregation that death is a necessary end to meet with Christ; hence, we must prepare for it. It is always painful to lose a dear one to death but we Christians take solace in St. Paul's admonition in Philippians 1:21; "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Death is a bridge which connects us to everlasting happiness, he said.

  He urged the faithful to work for their personal salvation. It is not about speaking in tongues or donating huge amount of money. It is about how many lives we touch as described on Judgement day in Matthew 25: 31-46. One's final salvation depends on the state of the soul at death as Jesus said in Matthew 24:13; "He who endures to the end will be saved." 

Finally, Fr. Ajayi said, heaven is reserved for people who died in state of friendship or grace with God, which the late professor did.

  Delivering the homily at the requiem Mass the following day at St. Benedict Catholic Cathedral, Osogbo, Rev. Fr. Michael 'Wumi Akinsode said the Mass was to pray for mercy that triumph over judgement (James 2:13) for the late professor. He clarified that central to the Catholic faith and her belief is the hope of blessed resurrection, hence the Catholic Church prays for the dead.

He stated that Prof Agbedahunsi was a gentleman, a good husband, a wonderful father to the children and a generous man. He was a devout Catholic who loved and enjoyed morning Masses. He belonged to the 4th degree of the Knight and Ladies of St. Mulumba. He was one of the founding members of St. George's Catholic Church, Ofatedo. He served as the Diocesan Chairman of the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO). He was at a time, the Chairman of the Diocesan Harvest Committee and a member of the Marriage and Family Committee among many others.

  The Mass was presided over by His Grace, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese and concelebrated with Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo; Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo and the host Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese; Most Rev. John Oyejola with about thirty priests.

   At the close of the Mass, Archbishop Abegunrin and Bishop Oyejola both appreciated the support for the Church, humanity and the good legacy left by the late professor, appreciated the attendees and requested people to continue to support Agbedahunsi's family with prayers.

 In the vote of thanks by Dr. Taiwo Agbedahunsi on behalf of the family, he appreciated the support, prayers and presence of Archbishop Abegunrin, Bishop Badejo and Bishop Oyejola. He acknowledged and appreciated the presence of Rt. Rev. O.A. Faboluje; Bishop of Oke Osun Diocesan Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Dr. Gbenga Babatunde; the Bishop of Osun Diocesan Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. James Bamidele; Osun Central Diocesan Bishop of African Church, Bishop Mike Bamidele of Victory Chapel International, Rev. Dr. Prophet S.O. Adelana JP who is the regional head of the Celestial Church of Christ, Osun Region and Canons and Venerables of Anglican Communion.

  He was grateful to the Knights and Ladies of St Mulumba, the members of the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Parish Priest and the parishioners of St. George's Catholic Church, Ofatedo for their prayers and support.

  Dr. Taiwo also appreciated the support and presence of the members of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife especially those of the Faculty of Pharmacy.

 At the end, the sword of the Knights of St Mulumba of his father was handed over to him for keep in a conspicuous place in the family in a short ceremony by Archbishop Abegunrin.