Rev. Fr. Francis T. OMOLADE

Funeral and burial is the end of man after death. This was true of Lady Augustina Banjoko Ojo as the children and family members gathered to celebrate her Funeral on Friday 17th April 2026 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Yawiri, Akobo, Ibadan.

The funeral Mass was celebrated with Fr. Joachim Akee as the Chief Celebrant and Msgr. Theophlius Fadeyi and Fr. Francis Omolade, the Parish Priest as co-celebrants.

 

The homily delivered by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Omolade was based on the readings from the day (Rev. 21:1-11, Rom. 6:3-9 and John). The homilist affirmed that life lived on earth is to bring us to eternity as God wants us to be with him at the end of our journey here on earth. Taking, from the first reading, he admonished the congregation to live in such a manner that their names will be written in the book of life. “It's only those whose names are found written in the book of life that will make heaven because each of us would be judged by what we have done.  Such life that would make us gain life eternal must therefore be rooted in good behaviour as exemplified by Late Lady Ojo, who truly lived for God through the expressions of her faith in Him and the Church. As a woman of faith, Lady Ojo served God and the people around her till the end. Hence, she died in Christ.”

 

According to the homilist, our union with God is essential to gaining eternal life with Him. Paul, in the second reading, reminds us all of the essence of baptism. For he says; "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized to Christ Jesus were baptized into his death"? (Rm. 6:) Being baptized into his death, therefore, invites us to die to sin so that we can be united with him. The homilist also affirmed that our baptism into Christ unites us into his resurrection when he shall raise us from death to live with him. Lady Ojo was baptized, and so we believe she would be raised on the day of resurrection to live with Christ for eternity.

The echo of the words of St. Paul in the Second reading resounds again in the Gospel with the affirmation of Christ that "all that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me, I will not cast out" For any of us not to be cast out from the kingdom of God, each must abide with Christ while still on earth.  He then reminded those present, the ways in which to abide with Christ, namely: The word of God. Those who abide in his word will abide in him (Jn. 15:7)). Prayer is another way as the whole of our salvation lies in prayer, according to St. Alphosus. Obedience to Christ (Jn. 14:21) is another means by which we can abide with Christ. Just as Christ was obedient to the Father by doing his will. We, too, must learn to do God's will at all times. Lady Ojo demonstrated this while on earth. The Eucharist (Jn. 6:56), for he says anyone who eats his flesh and drinks his blood will abide in Him.  All these ways were explored by Lady Augustina Ojo such that she never deliberately missed out on any spiritual activities of the Church, especially the Sacrifice of the Mass. She attended Mass until she fell ill and could no longer attend. Even with her condition, she was privileged to receive Jesus in the Holy Euharist. He concluded by encouraging all present, especially  children of the deceased, to emulate the good quality of Late Lady Ojo,  who abide with Christ till the end of her life.

 

Lady Ojo was a devout Catholic. In her later years, she and her late husband were active members of Holy Family Catholic Church, Yawiri, Akobo, Ibadan. She was a member of the Catholic Women Organization, St. Mary Society and the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. She participated actively in all parish events.  May her commitment and dedication to the Church assist her to  be admitted into the Kingdom of God.

 

Before the close of the Mass, the children, family, and well- wishers thanked God for the life well lived by Late Lady Augustina Ojo. Mr. Niyi Ojo gave the vote of thanks. The final commendation was performed by Rev. Fr. Joachim Akee, the Chief Celebrant and the remains of Lady Augustina Ojo, was laid to rest at St. Mary's Cathedral cemetery, Oke Are, Ibadan, in a vault bought by herself many years ago.  Guests at the funeral were entertained at Le Chataeu Event Centre.  

Prior to the funeral, there was a Christian wake at the residence of the deceased at Tora House, Akobo West, Akobo Ibadan, where those present were admonished to always prepare for death as  it will come whether we accept it's reality  or not.  “When we prepare adequately for death, it would not be a shock or surprise.” On Suday, 19th April, 2026, the children and their family again returned to the parish for Thanksgiving for the successful funeral ceremony of their late mother. The children were challenged to keep the legacy of their mother going in the parish and in their various communities.