Prelate urges Nigerians on piety as renowned industrialist, Bode Akindele, laid to rest

Akindele
Governor Seyi Makinde, flanked by Methodist Church clerics with one of the widows of the late industrialist, Bode Akindele, at his funeral ceremony, in Ibadan, on Friday, July 31, 2020

Nigerians have been urged to irrespective of their religious affiliations, maintain a godly life for the development of the country.

The Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Samuel Uche, said this during the burial service of Chief Bode Akindele, at the Methodist Cathedral, Agbeni, Ibadan.

Uche, in his sermon entitled: “Christians: People with a Living Hope,” urged Nigerians to have hope in eternal life and strive to live a life that would make them leave good legacies behind after death.

He described late Akindele, a renowned industrialist, who died on June 29, 2020, as a strong pillar of the Methodist Church, who had served in various capacities in the church.

“The late Chief Akindele was the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the church’s university, Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo, where he left many legacies behind,” the cleric said.

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He noted that the late industrialist did many remarkable things, all of which contributed to the growth of the church, while he called on other good-spirited individuals to emulate his good deeds.

The prelate also lamented the rate of insecurity in Nigeria, calling for fervent prayers for the nation to overcome the challenges.

Also at the funeral ceremony, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, in his speech, described the late Akindele as a legend who would continue to live in the minds of the people.

“The deceased achieved success as an entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist, and so, he remains a model for me,” Makinde said.

The governor disclosed that late Akindele, the Parakoyi of Ibadanland, called him a few months ago to offer his medical facility to be used as an isolation centre by the state government.

“He did not only offer his medical facilities, it is also on record that Baba was the largest single donor for the Oyo State COVID-19 endowment fund,” Makinde said.

He told the congregation that the greatest tribute they could pay the deceased was to follow his footsteps and ensure that his legacies did not die with him.

The governor also said the late Akindele would not only be missed by his wives, children and grandchildren but by all, because of the good legacies he left behind.