Faces As Well Loved Ven Sofoluwe Retires In A Gale Of Praises

By Seun Sofoluwe

Thursday, December 30, 2021 was a great day to Venerable John Okanlawon Sofoluwe, his darling wife Opeoluwa, his children, and the entire Anglican communion as he retire from the priesthood with a Thanksgiving service held at St David’s Ofada, where he was stationed, to commemorate the occasion.

The service which was led by the Bishop of the diocese of Egba West,Rt Revd Ogundeyi was laden with a Thanksgiving song for an exemplary man of God who started as a young man in WOSEM years serving God by raising young ones in the way of the Lord.

He was one of the pioneers of children’s Sunday school in Egba diocese, he started Bible clubs at different locations.

Despite being a civil servant who rose to the peak of his career as an educationist, his passion for kingdom works never cease as he joined priesthood work in the 90s.

Permanent secretary, Directors from the Ogun State Ministry of Education graced the occasion as well as relatives that cut across different families trees like the Akinolas, Adenijis , sokinbi’s Ariyibi s ,Sofoluwe’s , Obimakinde.

Friends and Staff of Federal Medical Idi Aba and well-wishers from far and near were also on hand to honor venerable Sofoluwe at the Thanks Giving Service.

One of the highlights of the event includes the presentation of gift and cash donations by we’ll wishers and the church, especially the Sunday School children of 1985 to 1990 set.

Beneficiaries of his kindness over the years – men and women spread across the nation- also used the occasion to show their love to someone who led them spiritually early in life.

Showing her love, Iretiola the last daughter of Venerable Sofoluwe in a letter read at the occasion wrote ” Daddy mi

You are the one who sat and watched my infant head, the one who travail in birth for my soul till christ is formed in me.

“You are my father and my friend, the express image of God to me every time God wants to speak and touch me.

You are simple, sincere, Godly.

You are not only a microphone on altars you made bed an ALTAR. You didn’t force me to fast, pray, meditate, pay tithe. You did all of that CONSISTENTLY AND CONSTANTLY….”

Many also gave testimonies and shared how he impacted them including his son, Seun Sofoluwe who stated

Venerable Sofoluwe who clocked 67 years on Dec 9th (2021) used the occasion to thank God for sparing his life when he took ill during his visit to the United States of America.

He disclosed that it was God’s intervention through the help of the country’s health facilities that made him return to Nigeria alive.

The new retiree specially thanked the Wife of the Provost of Egba West Diocese, families, and others including his Loving wife for standing by him during the turbulent time, the Venerable who is also Baba ibeji (father of twins) was especially full of praises to his creator.

Fadipe Olufemi on behalf of the Fadipe family provided a more telling insight into the personae of Veneral Sofoluwe with the disclosures that “I thank GOD to celebrate the life of Ven. John Okanlawon Sofoluwe while still very much alive as a father, grandfather & godfather respectively because God has used him to raise numerous children at Sunday school service, Emmanuel.,Anglican Church, Keesi to become good parents while these parents stand as PILLARS in this same church.

“In fact, daddy is the one and only that I can refer to as “daddy” and nothing else cos that is who he is to us, He is unique in every aspect.

I have so many memories about Ven. J.O. Sofoluwe, I can still remember your infectious smile, your happy disposition, care & warm attitude towards US at the children’s Sunday school then at Keesi (Abeokuta).

“Baba, you have impacted indelible marks of characters in us which we leveraged up to till today. Reverend Baba Seun is a devoted Christian who has contributed his time and substances to the growth and expansion of Keesi children’s service. No wonder your life and time signify humility, tolerance, endurance, love, sharing, and the fear of GOD.

In conclusion, I pray to God Almighty to grant you more grace of longevity and alertness to forge ahead in this Christian race you have chosen and desire.”

Adding his voice, Seun the first son of Venerable Sofoluwe stated

“My dad is an exemplary father, but he taught us in the way of God and greatly sacrificed for us and others in doing his best. I pray he will live long in good health and prosperity”

Venerable Sofoluwe’s beautiful wife, Opeoluwa gave a vote of thanks that was filled with special prayers for all the attendances in drawing the ceremony to a fitting end.