By Lukman Omikunle
There’s something exhilarating about Pa Olabode. Even in death, he defies the deceased soul label
Good fathers are rare and to have one is a privilege – Pa Christopher Ademola Olabode Obanigba was one, as a father, father-in-law, uncle, brother, friend and above all as husband to a golden mother – Madam Folake Olabode
He was a force of nature that was looked up to, followed, admired, proud and bragged about, held on to and cried with, learnt from, respected, listened and talked to – a treasure among fathers.
Were an outpouring of eulogies potent enough to rouse a dead man, this adored octogenarian who died peacefully on March 21 2021 in his country home in the heart of Owo, Ondo State, would have reconsidered spending a few more time, for a long parting moments before plunging into his eternal sleep.
There’s something exhilarating about Pa Olabode. Even in death, he defies the label of a deceased soul. He refused to slip into oblivion; rather he exerts a commanding presence in the lives of his beloved children, family, friends and the people of the ancient Owo town.
It hardly matters that he has passed on to join the choir invisible of the immortal dead, fond memories of him persist in the lives and minds of many which were made better by his presence. Hence – Pa Christopher Ademola Olabode Obanigba lives on.
Born into the illustrious Obanigba family of Oke Ijebu on the 31st of December 1937 to Late Pa Justus Olabode Obanigba and Princess Margaret Titilola Olabode (Nee Inonren Adetunji) of Iloro quarters Owo, both in Ondo State, Pa Christopher was the first amongst many children of the legendary Justus Olabode Obanigba.
He was raised by his maternal grandparents and his early education was at St Goerge’s Primary School, Imola, Owo and then transferred to Government Primary School where he completed his Primary education and obtained his primary school leaving certificate. He later relocated to Lagos where he lived with his maternal Uncle, Pa Orimalade while working and learning several trades.
He signed up for an apprenticeship under Bishi Electricals in Lagos to train as an Electrician. Having completed his training, he obtained employment as an electrician at the Ministry of Works and Housing.
In 1964, he travelled to the United Kingdom for further education where he attended several institutions amongst which are South Thames Technical College Wandsworth and The Guild Hall Polytechnic where he obtained The City and Guilds Full Technological Certificate in Electrical Installation Work and a Higher Diploma in Electrical Engineering respectively.
He also obtained many professional qualifications and was proudly a member of a number of Engineering bodies in the United Kingdom and Nigeria including the British Association of Supervisory and Executive Engineers and The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Whilst in the United Kingdom, he worked in several Organisations including Royal Mail and London Underground. In 1976, he was headhunted from the United Kingdom by the Federal Government to join the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Nigeria.
He started his career at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing as an Electrical Superintendent at their Onikan office in Lagos and gradually progressed in his career as the years went by. Due to his hard work, excellent work ethics and dedication to service, he was put in charge of the Festac Town branch of the Ministry.
Pa Christopher worked there for some years till he retired as the Head of the Department of the Festac office of the Ministry in the year 2000.
He was born into the Anglican Church, however, he later joined The Redeemed Christian Church of God where he was a devoted and committed member in Lagos and Owo till he passed on to glory.
In 1970, he married his Sweetheart, confidant and best friend, Folake Agnes Olabode ( Nee Obayanju) whom he was happily married to for over half of a century and they are blessed with children and grandchildren, all of whom will deeply miss his warmth and big smile he always had on. However, Pa Olabode was a father to so many others whose lives he touched and was actively and directly involved with.
Daddy Festac as he was fondly called by his siblings, nieces and nephews was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by all.
Values
Pa Olabode was a very upright man who held excellent values. He believed that contentment with godliness is great gain. He believed that we should be our brother’s keeper and treat others the way we would want to be treated.
Just like our Heavenly Father, he loved all children he came in contact with very dearly and treated them all like his own.
He was a very respectful man who gave due regard and respect to everyone he came in contact with regardless of their social class or status.
He was a firm believer that with God, nothing was impossible and stood firmly in his faith and belief in God till his death. His favourite saying at the end of every conversation was ‘Olorun a ma wa pelu gbogbo yin o’, (God be with each and every one of you).
He was a firm believer in living peacefully with all men which were reflected in the way that he exited this world.
“Daddy Dearest, in life, we loved you dearly, in death, we love you still. In our hearts, you hold a place no one else will ever fill. Keep resting peacefully in the bosom of our Lord and saviour till we meet to part no more,” these are words from the family.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs Folake Olabode and children – Mr Olaiwola Olabode, Ms Oluwafunmilayo Olabode, Mrs Olaitan Olabode OmikunleOla and Adeola Olabode Ayangbayi. He’s also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
