Church priests, family, friends bid Pa Olusegun Fawole farewell

Scores of people including family members, friends and Catholic Church leaders gathered at the weekend in Adebayo-Idiayunre, Ibadan to celebrate the life and times of Ile Aro Otan-Ayegbaju, Osun State-born Pa Olusegun Stephen Fawole, a former Church Council Chairman of Our Lady of Fatimah, Alomaja in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.

At a funeral service, the priests urged the congregation to emulate Pa Fawole by worshipping God and dedicating their lives in the service of humanity.

The Parish Priest of St. Rita Catholic Church, Sango-Eleyele Road, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Felix Etaphemi, said that the deceased devoted his life to the service of God, adding that he did his part while on earth.

He said the deceased, despite many setbacks that he faced, he struggled to educate his children.

He recalled the death of Fawole’s wife, Mrs. Felicia Adebola Fawole, in 1989 at the age of 42 years and how the husband trained all the children, educating them and providing for their needs.

Fr. Etaphemi, who said he had a solid 33 years relationship with the deceased, noted that in spite of the earthly challenges, Fawole was able to contribute his quota to the church in particular and the world in general.

He said the late Fawole took care of his children’ upkeep and education despite the socio-economic challenges which he combined with spiritual activities in the Church.

The priest, who further described the late Fawole as an embodiment of talents, said the deceased was also in his active years in the church a volunteer catechist.

During his life time, the deceased worked at various levels with Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria and Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority.

Pa Fawole is survived by children, grandchildren and relations including Mr. Opeyemi Fawole, Mr. Tunde Fawole, Dr. Adeola Adesina, Mrs. Felicia Popoola and Mr. Dele Oguntayo.