The ancient Confluence city of Lokoja, Kogi State stood still as the remains of Late Deaconess Lydia Motunrayo Adenle was laid to rest amid tears on Saturday.
Deaconess Adenle died on November 6 2019 after a brief illness, and was buried today after a funeral service at her family home in Adankolo, Lokoja, Kogi State.
In a sermon delivered at a commemoration service in her honour at the District Headquarters of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Lokoja, the Regional Superintendent, Pastor Ogundeji M.A, who presided reminded Christians of the need to dedicate their life to God, noting that every soul shall taste death, after which comes judgement.
The sermon which was titled “The end of a matter is better than its beginning”, said death is a necessary end which requires proper and adequate preparation, noting that the trumpet might sound anytime.
The cleric who read from the scripture, 2Cor 5:1-5, called on Christians to set their love and passion for where they hope to spend their eternity rather than on material things which are ephemeral.
While urging the congregation to emulate the spiritual lifestyle of the deceased, Pastor Ogundeji prayed God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest, and the family, associates and the church the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Mourners and sympathisers who thronged the burial site described ‘Mama Adenle’, as she was fondly called, as a true soldier of Christ.
In a litany of eulogies and testimonials, the congregants agreed that the deceased was an epitome of motherhood, noting that she would be sorely missed, and will forever live in their heart.
WOWICAN, in her tribute, described the late leader as a woman who truly demonstrated the true Christian virtues of honesty and humility.
In their separate remarks, children of the deceased described their mother as caring, a stabilizing factor, unifier, and compassionate.
The colourful event which was witnessed by dignitaries from all walks of life, including top hierarchy of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Women Wing of Christians Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and a host of others turned out to be a celebration of the life and times of the deceased.
Deaconess Adenle was aged 67. She is survived by her husband, Pastor Solomon Oyekanmi Adenle, 6 children, and 16 grandchildren.
She was until her death the national leader of the women wing of the CPFN.
