Pa Samuel Saliu Ali was buried in his home town of Ikaram Akoko, Ondo State with a funeral service held at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Family, friends gathered in Ikaram Akoko, Ondo State on July 28 and 29 for the burial of Pa Samuel Saliu Ali, a community leader who died on June 21, at age 86.
Former Director of Forest Management, Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Olu Agunloye, who is cousin to the deceased, described Pa Samuel Ali as a very honest man, bold, fearless, and blunt to a fault.
According to him, “Pa Samuel Saliu Ali came into my life 40 years ago when my father died. He is a younger brother to my dad. He taught me how to be hardworking and honest. He impacted my life. He is gone now but he left a very great legacy and I am happy he was a part of my life. We will miss him even though he has gone.
Mayowa Oloye, a member of Great Light One Family Ministry, a church founded by late Pa Samuel Ali’s son, Prophet Oladele Samuel, also paid tribute to the deceased.
He said: ”I came to know Baba through his son, the General Overseer of the Ministry where I worship. He was not a pastor, but he was very active and a supporter of God’s work which transcended to his son. And I will want to advise everyone to live a life from day one as if you are leaving a legacy and the impact can grow. It does not matter whether you are educated or not. He lived an impactful life which we are here to attest to.”
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The Resident Pastor of Great Light One Family Ministry, Joseph Apata, added: “He is a generous person. Very industrious. Very hardworking and good supporter of God’s work. He is one man that left a good legacy which I want all to emulate. It is awesome to see that a lot of people are talking about him that is because of the seed he has sowed. My advice to all is that we live a life of meaning.”
For Diocesan Bishop, Right Reverend Jacob O. B. Bada, who gave the funeral sermon, Pa Samuel Ali was a righteous man. “He always believed in peace. Whatever we do in open or secret we shall give account. He served God wholeheartedly with everything he had. People should emulate him. Pa Samuel Ali took care of everyone, the family and ministers. He was full of wisdom and served God wholeheartedly. He has to be immortalized as he did a lot for the church. He was a pillar in the church.”
Pa Samuel Ali’s son, Tunbosun, described his father as loving not only to his own children, but to all. “He lived a good life,” he added.
The deceased’s daughter, Iyabo Samuel, said she wished and prayed to have him again as her father in the next life.
Pa Samuel Saliu Ali was buried in his home town of Ikaram Akoko, Ondo State with a funeral service held at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Diocese of Akoko – St John’s Anglican Church.