Family, friends, associates pay tributes to Otunba Ayo Soyode

FAMILY, friends and associates, on Wednesday, praised the good life of Chief (Mrs) Ayodele Soyode as they besiege The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Olive Tree Parish, in their hundreds to attend the service of songs organised for her at Banana Island, Lagos. Also they described her as a mother in a million whose exemplary lifestyle brought succour to many and drew them equally to Christ.

The gathering was equally a celebration of life with the choir treating guests to two greats hymns which have been acknowledged universally “How Great Thou Art” and “To God be thy Glory”.

Speaking on the occasion, the Bishop of Remo Diocese, Michael Olusina Fape, said the passage of Chief (Mrs) Soyode to eternal glory did not call for tears but for a celebration of a life well lived.

“We are gathered here not to mourn, but to fellowship with one another as believers, and knowing Mummy Soyode as a true child of God, she has definitely gone to rest in the bosom of the Lord her creator.

According to the clergy, “we may be tempted to beginning to query why God took Mummy away that early, but I want to let you know that, for Mummy Soyode that I knew, we ought to be celebrating a life dedicated to service of the kingdom of God and to the development of humanity.

“She lived a credible life. As a member of Anglican Memorial Church in Ikenne, she brought to bare the beauty of being a Christian mother, as she participated actively to the growth and development of our church, so it is no gainsaying that she was honoured with the title of “Iya Ijo”.

“If there is any child that cared most for Mama Awolowo, it was Mama Ayo Soyode. This was attested to by the family. She died without any biased in mind as she reconciled with all those she needed to reconcile with before her death, and this further led credence to the fact Mummy Soyode died without having a grudge in mind as a good Christian mother.

On the need for people to be closer to God, Fape said “we all have an appointed time to die, hence the greater need to give one’s life to Christ for the redemption of once soul after death.

Earlier the two Bible reading of the day was taken by Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo and Mrs Busola Soyode, from the books of 1 Corinthians. 15 verse 54-58 and 1 Thessalonians. 4:13-18, even as Dr Femi Soyode rendered special songs.

In his vote of thanks, Mr Oladipo Soyode described his mother as one who faced death with courage and believing that those who died in the lord have a place in glory. “So I am confidence that her death calls for celebration of good over evil.”