A frontline member of Penpushing platform, Chief Kayode Odunaro who is the Special Adviser on Media to Senator Solomon Adeola has lost his father, who died on Friday at the age of 98 in his Ilaro hometown of Ogun State.
Penpushing reports that, the deceased, Pa Josiah Odunaro had on Friday morning called on his children to complain of insomnia and was thereafter taken to Hossana Hospital, Ilaro, where he was attended to and on medication ,but death came calling therafter
The bereaved veteran journalist narrated the final exit of the nonagenarian populary called ‘Baba Olopa’, a retired police officer and Osi Ajiroba of Olu Ilaro-Yewaland of Ogun State, South-West of Nigeria
‘Another working day for me. Woke up early around 5am. My apartment in Abuja had undergone some renovation and painting. I called in my cleaner for thorough cleaning and was helping out in arranging furniture when Taiye Oderinde (nee Odunaro), my sister staying with and taking care of my father, Chief Josiah Abidemi Odunaro called’.
‘Being a Friday, I had thought that she wanted to remind me of weekly stipend for Baba which I usually transfer every Friday to receive my weekly blessing of “Omo a se be fun e” from my father. She rather told me that Baba was indisposed all night complaining of back pain and there was the need for him to visit the hospital for check up and treatment’.
‘Nothing extra ordinary about that. Baba Olopa as popularly known in Ilaro, usually fell sick and goes to hospital but he is not one to hang around there for long as is soon back on his feet in his house at Alaagba street Ona Ola Quarters, Ilaro’.
‘ So I told her to get in touch with a cousin, Odunaro Sunday to get him to his choice hospital, the Hossana Specialist Hospital. I sent his stipend and also some additional fund for Taiye and Sunday for any eventuality. Done with house cleaning and arrangements, I left for what turn out to be a busy Friday at the Senate. I was involved in writing many mails and putting some figures together as part of the 2022 FG Appropriation Bill’.
‘All day long, Sunday as is usual with him kept me posted via WhatsApp with pictures and videos of their progress from the house to the hospital. For me Baba will soon be back in his house. At the end of examination, tests and treatment, Sunday equally informed me that Baba requested for ‘solid’ food from his favourite Restaurant in Ilaro, the Asiri Abo’.
‘Taiye did the needful and got him lunch. He couldn’t eat much. He was soon given some drugs and fell asleep from what I was told and shown via updates from Sunday. I continued working including a drive out of National Assembly to deliver some vital documents at Maitama’.
‘I got back to the office around 5pm to put finishing touches to mails being typed by staff only for Sunday to call repeatedly. I didn’t pick his WhatsApp call as I was anxious for the staff to finish their work and close. Sunday call me directly and when I picked he said Baba is gone. Gone?’
‘Where I asked and he made it plain that Baba has gone to be with the Lord. It then dawn on me that the end of all men and women had caught up with my father who celebrated his 98th Birthday in September.Well my expectation that this was just another of his hospital visit was shattered as Baba was not returning back to his house alive. Baba passed on peacefully with family members and medical personnel attending to him’.
‘Well I took it in my stride and silently give God Almighty great thanks for his long life in relatively good health without any lingering ailments that took him in and out of hospital. I did not announce it to staff in the office. It would have dampened their TGIF spirit after an unusual hard day at work on a day most government workers work for half a day or not at all’.
‘We shut down the office around 6.30 pm and I dropped them off where they can pick their ride home…..Baba Olopa, the Osi Ajiroba of Olu Ilaro-Yewa is gone to be with the Lord. We give God the Glory. Rest in Peace, father’, Odunaro wrote
Penpushing also reports that, number of the bereaved friends have forwarded condolence messages to him, and they include: Demolu Okunneye who wrote, ’Baaroyin. Please do accept my condolences. May the soul of Baba rest in peace’
The former Press Officer at Ogun State Governor’s Office, Kayode Bello said, ‘May God grant Pa Odunaro eternal rest and uphold the family, while Lukman Lasisi in his own condolence message wrote ‘Oh, I didn’t hear about it. Accept my condolences bro’, and Kenny Onasanya said ‘Baroyin, congratulations for surviving your dad and please accept my condolences as well. It’s not easy to lose beloved ones. Baba Olopa, without any doubt lived a fulfilled life and his legacy lives on in the wonderful children he left behind. May the Almighty God grant you the fortitude to bear this and may He also grant the repose of his soul
Penpushing reports that, Tope Adaramola in his own message wrote, ‘Baaroyin, I congratulate you for surviving Papa. I could feel how fond you are of him through your posts and writings as well as occasional video clips on social media. Our consolation is that Paapa lived a resourceful and fulfilling life, sharing the same profession of policing with my father. I want to believe that he was an exceptional and Godly cop, considering how progressive his offspring turned. I join several family members to celebrate this iconic figure. Adieu!
The academia friend of the bereaved, Dele Odunlami wrote, ‘I join my voice with other progressive minds on this platform to commiserate with our Baaroyin on the demise of his lovely Dad, Baba Olopa. No doubt a painful loss but we take solace in the fact that Baba was well taken care of while alive and he lived long. The joy of every parent is that our children succeed us, and this goal has been achieved by Baba. May his soul find eternal and perfect rest in God. Congrats and welcome to the club of the fatherless. I don’t want to say orphans because I don’t know if Mummy is still alive. If yes, may she live long to enjoy the fruit of her labour. Once again congrats on the exit of Daddy after a glorious performance on the stage of life’
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