The Redeemed Christian Church of God has been thrown into national mourning following the death of an Assistant General Overseer in the mission, Prof. Folagbade Aboaba.
The late Aboaba who was said to be one of the closest allies of the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, died after a brief illness, aged 90
Disclosing his transition in a statement, the leadership of the RCCG said the late Aboaba served God passionately in various capacities, saying he was a distinguished elder and member of the church’s Board of Trustees.
The statement reads “He was born in Lagos on March 2, 1933, and went to be with the Lord in the early hours of Saturday, January 21, 2023, after a life of exemplary service in the Lord’s vineyard.
“Prof. Aboaba served God passionately in various capacities and made a significant contribution to the work of God in the RCCG. He spearheaded the activities that led to the birth of The Redeemer’s University and served as the pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution,” the statement signed by Pastor Oladele Balogun, the Special Assistant to the GO, Pastor Adeboye, read.
The church said Aboaba was instrumental to many laudable projects and programmes in the Mission. He was a member of the Annual Holy Ghost Congress Planning Committee as well as the Chairman of the Technical Advisory Board and Lands Committee of the Mission, adding, “to the glory of God, he lived a great life in the service of his Maker.”
“As a Church, we are grateful to God for the opportunity so graciously granted him to serve God and to be a blessing to humanity. Pastor Fora Aboaba was a Professor of Agricultural Engineering and a Professor Emeritus at the University of Ibadan.
“We commiserate with the family he left behind and, we pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss,” the church added.
Meanwhile, the national chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Agricultural Engineers, Prof Folarin Alonge described the late scholar as one of the founding fathers of the institute who was always passionate about the growth of Agricultural Engineering and mechanisation in the country.
He wrote: “One of our Fathers in the profession, Prof. Fola Aboaba, has gone home. He was a Professor of Professors of Professors.
“Prof Folagbade Olajide Aboaba was an Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Engineering at University of Ibadan and the Pioneering Dean of the Faculty of Technology (1976-1982). I was privileged to be taught by him at both undergraduate and Masters class. He was a mentor to several people and professors.
“He was the Executive Secretary of Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (1992-1998). He was the founding Pro Chancellor of Redeemers University (2005-2013). He was the Chairman of Governing Council of Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos (1976-1979).
“He died at the age of 90.
“I had a chat with him on Sept 15, 2023, when we were preparing of NIAE conference in Asaba (Delta State). His response to my asking about him is ‘Thank you. Ageing slowly but fine. Glory to God. God bless you’. Baba was a lovely, cheerful and good man.
“He was one of the founding members of the NIAE. He played significant role with other fathers in establishment of National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, Ilorin. He made substantial contributions to the growth of NSAE (NIAE). His last major public lecture he delivered for NIAE was when we were invited to Presidential villa, Abuja in 2004 by the then Vice President. Late Prof John Ohu was the NIAE National Chairman then. He was always interested in hearing the progress NIAE is making.
“He was a member of American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) as well as Institution of Agricultural Engineers UK.
“May his soul find eternal rest in God”.
The Nigerian Canadian Newspaper sympathizes with his family over the loss.
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