The Catholic Community of Our Lady of Perpetual Light, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife celebrated the life and time of Prof. Chris Olugbenga Ajila who passed on to the great beyond exactly a year ago. The one year memorial/thanksgiving Mass which coincided with the Solemnity of Epiphany of Our Lord was well attended by members of the University Management Staff as well as staff from the Faculty of Social  Science of the University.

During his homily, the Celebrating Priest,  Rev. Fr. Michael Akinwumi Akinsode,  emphasized the importance of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord to the Catholic Faith in particular and Christianity in general. While speaking, Fr. Akinsode urged Christians to always search for God in ordinary times around them as well as take time to listen to His words. This in his view is because God can manifest Himself in anyway and will always speak to us as long as we avail ourselves to Him.  He cited the examples of the three Wise Men, who through the star were able to locate Jesus and by listening to the voice of God were also able to prevent the wrath of Herod on the new born Jesus.

The Priest also took time to explain the Christmas Season to the faithful, emphasizing the fact that unlike other denominations who believe that Christmas is just 24th and 25th of December; to Catholics, Christmas preparation begins with the season of Advent while it ends with the celebration of the Baptism of Our Lord.

Commenting on the memorial celebration of Prof. Chris Olugbenga Ajila, Fr. Akinsode, reminded the congregation that as Christians, death should not be a thing to be dreaded, as it is the only way we can attain eternity.  He congratulated Mrs. Ajila for her steadfastness during the death of her husband, especially through the year of mourning. He prayed for the soul of Prof. Ajila, asking God to grant him eternal rest. Fr. Akinsode took time to recognize and thank the Management Team of the University led by the DVC Administration, Professor. O.M.A. Daramola and Prof. A.I. Akinyemi (DVC Research and Innovation), for coming to celebrate with the Church.

Other dignitaries that graced the occasion were the immediate past Vice Chancellor Prof. E.O. Ogunbodede (under whose administration Prof Ajila served as DVC); Prof. T.O. Asaolu, VC, University of Ilesa; Obafemi Awolowo University Registrar, Mr. A.K. Bakare; the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. T.O.  Odekunle;  Heads of Department from the Faculty of Social Sciences as well as past Deans. 

Prof. Chris Olugbenga Ajila who died exactly a year ago was a baptized and active Catholic and a member of the Catholic Men Organization. He was also one time Head, Department of Psychology; Dean, Faculty of Social Science and later Deputy Vice Chancellor Adminstration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.