The rite of passage for late Special Apostle (Engr.) Pa Dickson Adekunle Awode ended last Sunday with a final thanksgiving service at the Victory District headquarters in Ikorodu.
In his lifetime, he was a great man of God. He died at 81. He was the District Chairman and General leader of C & S Movement Church, Victory District, Ikorodu.
This is a special and outstanding district with 15 churches under the district. This was the position he occupied until he went to rest in the Lord. Below are the tributes of some of his children.
HE WAS MY HERO
My honourable blessed father, it still seems like a dream that you have gone to rest in the blossom of your creator. Death came like a flash of lightening taking you away from me. Your advice still stays fresh in my memory. Wow! Daddy mi you are, indeed a HERO!.
A man with a golden heart, always cheerful, very humble, a devoted Christian, loving, caring, a good man, a disciplinarian, very courageous, always ready to give advice and prayers.
I will really missed you, if there is a second chance of coming back into this world, it’s still you the man of greatness and humility who I want to come through as a father. You are ready to listen to my complains, offer good advises and tell me to be strong as a man, wow who will now listen patiently to me. Who will tell me to have a strong faith in God like my dad, a gallant soldier of Christ, you have won many battles with prayers. It’s so disheartening to accept your passing away, but I take solace in God knowing fully well that you have gone to rest in the bosom of your creator.
A caring father, indeed, you taught me the way of the Lord right from childhood. You make sure
my school fees were paid through postal order even before resumption in my secondary school days. What a father you were in a million, whatever I am in Christian faith today were traits passed unto me from you. Hmmm Daddy mi, you are, indeed an angel in human form.
We, all your children, enjoyed a good life right from childhood. Our growing days were fun, despite being a disciplinarian, you made sure our youthful days were the best. We all attended the best schools even enjoyed continental dishes as a family when we were young. Daddy mi, you gave your family a good shelter in our growing up days, as a senior NEPA staff. What else can I say of a wonderful gift of a father you are to your children. Your inestimable support and encouragement to family members and friends can never forgot you throughout our lives.
I feel heavy in my heart, writing this in tears just hoping someone would knock at my door and
tells me it’s all a nightmare. Baba mi, your belief in the efficacy of prayers and fasting made you overcome tribulations even when you are humiliated during your active days in office. We know your pains then, but you still made sure the daily three (3) meals are set on out tables. A diligent man, believed in hard work, always comfortable with whatever God has given him.
On many occasions I have seen you refusing monetary gifts from people who intends to bribe you, and when I asked you why the refusal, all I got back as an answer was wait for the lord to bless you and, indeed, God blessed you and your fruits beyond what you bargained for. Indeed, prayers and faith in the lord worked for you. Daddy, parts of why I loved coming to your place always to gist with you and also tap into those knowledge and wisdom God has endowed you with was your invaluable advice.
With tears in my eyes I could remember vividly our last discussion. You told me to find time and see you for personal discussion. Wow! I had intention of coming to see you on that day you departed. It really saddens my heart that we were unable to gist again like we used to, I will really miss my dad’s daily devotion. His calls to all children to come for prayers. Indeed, you are truly a great and devoted man of God.
A cheerful giver, you always emphasized helping the needy, even if it took your last kobo. Your departure from earth will, no doubt, make a significant impact in some peoples lives. A prayer warrior, a friend, confidant, a preacher, a believer, a good man, the best father any child would prayed for.
Baba mi, your words of encouragement and advice will forever live in my heart, I would have taken a whole page to describe whom you are, but words cannot qualify you enough. Rest on daddy till we meet to part no more, I know you have gone to join the choristers who sing’ HALLELUYAH to the Lord and king of kings. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord, I love you but God loves you more.
Your Son
– OLATUNJI AWODE
ABOUT MY DAD
It’s like a dream, but truly he is gone, never to be seen again. My dear beloved, caring and priceless dad, full of life. “Oh death where is thy sting. Oh! grave where is thy victory?”
Indeed, the lord upheld him to the later part of his life on earth. Hmmm. My father, my mentor, my teacher, my first love, my world, a disciplinarian with passion.
My birth brought him so much joy and happiness, being the first daughter after two boys. Thus, they refer to me as his “mother”. Growing up with daddy was beautiful and splendid fun.
As a teacher, he taught me how to read and write with my Queen Premier.
“I go up, Up I go, Am I to go up.
Learning with daddy was fun, but rough especially for me being the first daughter, with any silly
mistake daddy pulled my cheek, saying his favorite and only insult “silly ass”.
Daddy’s devotion to God and commitment to God’s people were astonishing, outstanding and exceptional which he passed on to his children. Forcefully, we wake up by 6am for morning devotion daily. On Saturday after breakfast, we study the Bible everyone was expected to come with his/her “book of bible story”. Daddy was a prayer warrior and an ambassador of Christ;
by 12 midnight, satisfying the whole house room by room after which he started praying for is children and grandchildren one after the other. He taught us to be steadfast I our faith and encouraged us to walk in the way of the Lord and to rely on God alone in times of trouble.
Daddy was so caring and loving, a very wonderful father, whenever mummy is in trance, he cooked took care of us and prepared us for school. The weekend for us was full of fun. He took us to the national theatre to watch movies, Kingsway and Leventis to shop. Whenever he went out he always brought something for us, he never brought empty handed.
Daddy used to come to our room in the night to check if everything was okay, he put on the light if it was dark when NEPA is off and reduces the AIC when it was cold. Daddy loved everyone around him; He put a smile on everyone’s face by giving. He goes went extra mile to please everybody even when it was inconvenient for him, even on the sick bed daddy. He called people to see how they are faring and gave them money.
Daddy was a large heart to a fault. As husband he cares for his wife dearly.
All through my life, I have never seen daddy raised his hand on his wife. He was the perfect husband for his wife. A man worthy of emulation, he rarely got angry at her and he was very patient with her even when she troubled him.
Daddy was never a party to disobedience, arrogance immorally and disrespect, you dare not use foul language in my father’s house.
Down memory lane, I can’t forget when we travelled to Ilorin seeking admission for me. Your struggles and your troubles on your children made you a one in a million daddy. If there is a father’s version “who sat and watched my infant head” etc. I would gladly sing it for you because you were a super doper father.
I remember the joy on your face when I had your first grandchild, you love her so much that when you came back from work, you rocked her and sang her lullaby till she slept and while you sang nobody dared to make a sound that can wake her up.
Also, while daddy was working as a NEPA staffer, he was loved by all, he worked tirelessly and was dedicated to his work. He had strong repulsion to bribe and never supported it.
Daddy, the story of my life is incomplete without you. I love and cherish you a lot if there was anything more you could do to make me a greater person, with God on our side, you would have done it. You were always ready and willing to do more to ensure that my happiness was sustained. If I am opportune to choose a father again and again I would choose you.
Daddy, the love you extended to my children cannot be quantified. Your memory lingered on till the end of time. You were a wonderful father, cherished in all ramifications. If I had the opportunity to make just one choice, it will be going back to life.
“Haa! How are the mighty fallen”. Tears are rolling down my cheeks as I write. Daddy, thank for
everything “The Sunday, Sunday dariapin tablets to prevent Malaria. Thanks for waking us up in cold harmattan in the North when going for lent period morning service. Emotion can’t allow me go further.
I don’t know why God took you sooner. I was hoping to see you give out your first grandchild out in marriage (Oyindamola). Hmmmmmm! however, in all things, we must give thanks to God Almighty. He giveth and taketh at will, who are we to question Him. He is the Almighty Father, the creator of Heaven and earth. To Him be all glory, praises and adorations. You alone be highly exalted. Thank you for all you have done and will still do.
Thank you for the life of your dear son, Dickson Adekunle Adefemi Awode. A life well spent and worthy of emulation. A glorious life. The vacuum is, indeed, humongous, but I am consoled by the fact that you are resting in the bosom of the Lord Jesus. You fought the good fight of faith and you have won the race. You have, indeed, finished well.
Love you daddy, even in death, I will always love you till end of time. Rest on till we meet to part no more. Maa sun olufe se ma sinmi, gbe ori le aya oluggbala re. Afe o sugbon Jesu fe o ju. Sun re!
sun re! sun re!
Your dearest Daughter,
(Nee Awode)
– ESTHERABIOLA BAMTEFA
(nee Awode)
BABA MI, I WILL MISS YOU
Reminiscences of the many facets of a loving, caring, God- fearing and affectionate father. I was shocked and could not fight back tears that day, 18th December, 2018 Tuesday morning to be precise when my doctor-in-law, called to inform me of my father’s passage to the great beyond.
He will greatly be missed for his fatherly roles he played, all through my primary and secondary school days my beloved father was my lesson teacher, he usually got back home from work by 4 to 4:30pm after which he took his lunch then school lesson started. He was a teacher, who ensured that Arithmetic as it was called then became an easy subject throughout without pain.
He had a way of making figures look simple and that helped me a great deal in my academic progression. Then came the era of daddy. It this was marked by strict pampering. It was the period of upward social mobility and comfort. It was as if it were the season of oil flowing down from
Aaron’s head to his whole body, academic materials that were needed was promptly met, strict
Christian and Biblical principles were never compromised. His rock solid faith in Christ could not faulted.
The love he had for his family was impeccable as he shared the abundance of God to all even as
far as his wife and extended family. His service to God was with everything he was blessed with, he never held anything back from GOD, even the challenges he encountered while in active service to his fatherland were met with absolute faith and believe in God and as such, were delivered from them all. I would never have asked for a better father, a disciplinarian who would never settle for less. His love for God and how he planted our children’s feet on the path of righteousness and how he taught us to know and love God and also pay our tithe to the last cent marvelled me.
The Grandpa season was a different experience altogether. His joy was infectious. When he carried his grandchildren, he rejoiced in the realisation of the fulfillment of GOD’s promise in his life. Growing up was fun because we lived a comfortable life because he was a top staff of the now defunct Nigeria Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) and I was opportune to live in over seven (7) states of the federation courtesy of Nepa transfer policy. While growing up, my father would take us to the cinema to watch films on celluloid. He would also take me to stadium to watch soccer, despite his busy schedule officially and spiritually he still had time for his children.
Baba Mi, I will miss the world of you. There will be nobody to call my mobile number and remind me of Tuesday’s vigil. There will be nobody to call me Dipo, Dipo, Dipo Okunrin Meta! Daddy, you are God’s indescribable gift to humanity and what you stood for was nothing short of the will of God.
Baba Mi, you were a great fighter and you fought and overcome several obstacle that came your way, but that fateful day was just the day of the Lord. Daddy, memories of you and legacies that you left behind live and those are the things, I hold on to now that will keep me going. My father, is, indeed, a soldier of Christ, The Jesus Christ of Awode descendants.
Daddy, please always look out for your little boy, knowing that I need you now more than ever before. May your gentle, energetic, respectful, dedicated, kind, homely and God-fearing soul continue to rest in the lord till we meet to path no more.
Your Son
– OLADIPUPO SAMSON AWODE
HE WAS THE 1ST MAN I EVER LOVED
My Gem, my counselor, loving, compassionate, the best dad anyone could ever have. If wishes were horses, I would ride and wish you to live for eternity, but I know there is an eternity to share in Christ Jesus. Daddy, I can never forget your slogan, “Ti esu ni lati gb’ogun, ti Oluwa ni lati s’egun.”
Which means “It is of the devil to raise battles and afflict, but it is of our God to give victory.”
You were a man of victory. Everything about you says victory. Little wonder your 81st birthday was on Tuesday (Ojo Isegun). You departed this world on a Tuesday (Ojo Isegun), and I remember the last morning devotion we had after the prayers, you said “ogun ti se meaning “The Battle is over,” that is, we have victory. You always saw victory ahead of a battle.
You gave me the most important things in life; the fear and knowledge of God, good and sound education; you taught me the value of giving and showing love to others.
You disciplined with a large and loving hearts, you loved while you corrected. You were a man of valour and vigour, the strongest man that I ever knew.
You were a jolly man full of fun and laughter even few hours before your passing away, you were still making everybody laugh (your sense of humour never left you).
Your love for children and everyone around you, your giving obsession never failed to amaze me.
I can remember the good old days, when I rushed out to the living room to remove your shoes and socks and put your legs on the stool as soon as you came back from office.
The good old days when you came with bags of Fan ice cream and cartons of biscuits to my elementary school on my birthdays.
The good old days when you put me on your lap and I call you my younger brother (Emi ni Egbon, Daddy). I can remember the good old days when you took us to the National Theatre to see movies of Ade-Love, Ogunde, Baba Sala on celluloid.
The good old days when you took me to school and went through the stress of registering me in each school as we were transferred from one state to another.
The good old days when you took us out to the beach and amusement parks during every festive period. The good old days when you brought out our prayer gowns and iron them all while we do house chores.
The good old days when we ran after your car on Sunday morning to meet up with you for Sunday services. Your compassion for others is awesome; you went out of your way to make others comfortable. You usually drop elders and members of the church before you take your family member home. Your service, love and devotions to things of God were beyond my comprehension.
Your love for hymns and playing the piano was your passionate way of worship, which inspired me and built my love for hymns too. A true worshipper you were!
Daddy, the few hours to your departure were still crystal clear in my memory.
That fateful night, I held your hand and was rubbing it to keep it warm thinking it was the air conditioner that was too much, I never knew it was the cold hands of death that was slowly taking your hands away from me.
I never for a minute imagined in my wildest dreams that I will not see you smiling by the next morning. You were the kind of father a child would wish to live forever. Even at Forty (40) years of age, I was still your little girl, and I loved it. I did not enter the world through your body, but I entered the world through your heart. The bond we shared was unlike any other connection.
Thank you for falling in love with mum, your darling Delphine Modupe Awode, the one you have been with for Fifty Eight (58) years. You were the perfect man for her!
Thank you for showing me that news headlines are not the norm; men can actually love women faithfully and unconditionally for a lifetime. Thank you for providing me with a never-ending sense of physical safety, emotional security and spiritual fortification.
Thank you for teaching me the importance of humility and the remarkable power of emotional and financial generosity.
If I continue from now to the end of time, words will fail me to say the things you lived to achieve, the lives you made impact on the legacy you left behind and the exceptional love, care and spiritual wisdom you passed unto me.
Daddy, you came, you saw and you conquered.
And like Apostle Paul said in II Tim. 4:7 “You have fought a good fight, you have finished your course, and you have kept the fight, and I know there is laid up for you a crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give you on that day”.
A-D-I-E-U DEAR DADDY
Rest in the bosom of Our Lord till we meet to part no more
Younger Daughter,
– MRS. ADURAGBEMI AKINOLA
