My Most Previous Gift From Alao Akala’s Burial Event.
It is not an exaggeration that the whole ancient town of the valiants stood tall and still and the foundations of the Ajilete town shook to give the last respect to one of their illustrious sons, a great and uncommon philanthropist, Dr Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala.
The carnival-like and one-of-its kind one week burial activities of His Excellency, Otunba Dr Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala has come and gone with so many previous gifts as take home for both adults and young ones, male and female, the haves and the have-nots.
The assorted drinks of both local and foreign brands, the very delicious meals served, the roasted crocodile meat, cow, chicken, snail, fish , the different inviting gift items that were distributed and music displayed by the first class musicians amongst others were the previous gifts that some attendees will forever live to remember this memorable day for.
Right at Akande market, a woman said that was her first time of seeing a horse and such beautiful carriage that housed the coffin of the late socialite.
Perhaps, that will be the most precious thing that woman and many others will live to remember.
It is not an exaggeration that the whole ancient town of the valiants stood tall and still and the foundations of the Ajilete town shook to give the last respect to one of their illustrious sons, a great and uncommon philanthropist, Dr Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala.
The most precious gift that will forever be part of me was given to me by Reverend Dr Israel Akanji, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, who was so happy and honoured to preach to the congregation of that magnitude.
He spoke on the theme, Inheriting Eternal Life, and the scripture reading was taken from the book of Luke Chapter 10 Verses 25-37 (LK 10:25-37).
The passage is about The Good Samaritan, a very familiar bible passage but this time around it was aptly and differently analyised as being led by the Holy Spirit.
Since it is absolutely useless to gain the whole world and lose your soul, it is of great importance to be merciful, compassionate, love your neighbor and love the Lord with all your heart and strength, the number one Baptist Church member in Nigeria began to preach.
The right Reverend Dr Israel Akanji, simplifying the theme inheriting eternal life, examined the three (3) polarities, the three (3) realities and the three (3) philosophies that will guide all Christians, who truly want to inherit the Kingdom of God.
But I dwelled much on the realities and philosophies.
REALITIES
There are certain realities that needs to be taken into consideration in the race of life. They are ;
1. Humanity always treats humanity with brutality.
Most humane and caring people are being rewarded with evil.
The story of Cain and Abel best explains this life reality.
2. Most people prefer to live an uninterrupted life. Each one for himself but God for us all.
3. By our humanity we are being implicated in the brutality and violence in our world.
Very sad that despite the humanitarian contributions of Christianity to National building, one hundred and twenty one (121) students were abducted. One hundred and twenty(120) of the students have been released. The remaining boy is still in captivity.
May the Lord set him free.
C. PHILOSOPHIES
1. What is mine is mine and what is yours is mine, if I can take it.
This is the philosophy of the thieves which most people fall in the present day life.
Most politicians have stolen what belongs to us because of greed.
2. What is mine is mine and what is yours is yours when you are in trouble.
Immediately you get into one problem or the other, you are on your own. People are finding it so difficult to be their brothers keeper. No friend indeed anymore.
What a cruel world ?
3. What is mine is yours if you need it.
This emphasizes more on mercy and compassion.
The Good Samaritan could save the Jew because he had such traits, even though the Jew thought he would be killed.
Changing things for good. Making people feel your impacts positively in any environment you find yourself. Being large hearted and having a sincere mind of forgiveness are supposed to be part of our daily activities if we truly want to Inherit Eternal Life.
And this was the type of life that the late Alao Akala lived.
The world will be a better place to live if a larger percentage of her people fall into this category.
You do not need to wait until you become a millionaire before you change life and impact the society.
As human, Akala had his own flaws but he was so generous to a fault.
The lush green has turned brown. Rest peacefully, The Otun of The Source.
Alabi Tunji Michael (ATM)
