Emmanuel Clement
Encomiums poured in as eminent personalities from all walks of life converged in Otte Ogbomosho in Oyo State to bid farewell to Pa (Sgt) John Adeleke Ojeyinka A.k.A Baba Pupa,a community leader who slept in the lord on Monday 10th March 2025,at the age 110 years old.
The burial mass was held on Saturday at First Baptist Church Alate Otte Ogbomosho Oyo State before his final interment in his compound.
The event had in attendance the high and mighty in all the strata of Oyo State and beyond-academia, administrative, political and community leaders including captains of industry, friends and associates of Ojeyinka family who came in large numbers to celebrate with them.
At the burial ceremony, many described Pa Ojeyinka as a compassionate and an epitome of love and discipline while others noted that his humility and selfless service to God and humanity were second to none.
Rev.J. Ola Areo who delivered a sermon on the topic “Know your source”taken from the book of Genesis 3:19-24,described death as inevitable that every mortal must taste noting that, “what makes death mischievous is that nobody knows where his or her loved ones that had died went to”.
The cleric urged Christians to always bear in mind that earth is never a permanent home for any human being, advising those who are in the habit of doing bad things to have a change of mind just as he charged those doing good things to redouble their effort in doing more.
“We must remember that after death comes judgement, therefore, we should use our strength and wealth to promote unity and peace in our various communities.
“It is also very important for us to bear in mind at all times that whatever we do while on this earth lives after us even after death. We should make a concerted effort to live a life of good legacy that will speak well of us after our departure from this world,” he said.
Rev Areo urge the children to always live in unity and love as disunity will always divide the family, while describing Pa Ojeyinka as a man of God to the core,who lived his life for Christ.
Pa Ojeyinka’s son, Captain Gbadebo Ojeyinka described his father as loving not only to his own children, but to all. “He lived a good life,he is a great mentor,a retired soldier and through him I became a soldier”he said
Captain Gbadebo opined that his father would be remembered for his goodness upon the life of his children and grandchildren especially himself who God used to transform his life from a chain smoker to an upright man, while appealing to his siblings and all the grandchildren to emulate him because”Pa Ojeyinka was very accommodating and kind to everyone around him”
“I learned a lot from him. My father was high on values and always respected everyone both old and young. He knew the importance of valuing people. He was a compassionate man and taught me the age-old lessons around giving. He always believed that in giving selflessly, one receives benefits far superior than worldly riches.”he said
Also lending her voice, Pastor Mrs Bisi Onilude,first daughter says her father was an intelligent man,a man of integrity kind,loving,very honest,bold,fearless,and blunt to a fault.
“I don’t know how to describe my late father because he has so many good qualities and he loves his children, I would remember my father for his moral upon his children,I therefore urge my siblings to be in unity and oneness of love”she submitted.
Speaking with investigator news,Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani of Nigeria Defence Academy,27 Regular Course,described the deceased as a loving, accommodating and a pillar of support to all his children especially Captain Gbadebo Ojeyinka.
Rear Admiral Ajani who read the condolence letter stated that death is the inevitable end of every mortal and it is not in the power of any man to determine how long one live on earth because our existence and indeed our lives here on earth depends on God.
He noted that the qualities they(27 Regular course) saw in Captain Gbadeo shows that he inculcated it from his dad.
” We join them in sharing the pain , wishing Pa Ojeyinka a peaceful rest in the boson of the lord. The children should really rejoice that they had a father who came,saw and conquered. One who shepherd them all and ensure that they live an upright life and they should replicate this to their children ” he submitted.
For Group Captain Emmanuel Abioye says that Pa Ojeyinka is a father indeed,one who is caring, kind to everyone who comes to him.”I want to appeal to the children to follow the footsteps of their children by assisting everyone around them.”he said.
Investigator news reports that Pa Ojeyinka was born in Ogbomosho into a polygamy family. His father’s name was David Ojeyinka and the mother Felicia Ojeyinka from Bolanta Masifa Ogbomosho.
He had his primary school education at First Baptist school Ogbomosho,in the year 1936, after primary education the white people took him to Olivet baptist school,Oyo State which he was unable to finish because his father thought that the white men would take him away since he was the first son of the family. Then his father took him to Akintunde (his cousin)in Ibadan to learn a trade, and from his little exposure to school,he joined the army at Eleyele in Ibadan.
Baba was later transfered to Military Cantonment, Kaduna and for his christian life,he held the position of a church leader,Kawo in Kaduna and also position of the chairman of Ogbomosho in Kaduna.
After his retirement,he came to Otte,Isaole Ogbomosho and embark on series of business. He was happily married to Alice Oladayo Ojeyinka on the 10th of November 1950 and their marriage is blessed with Godly children,he later married his second wife in 1976 and the marriage is blessed with children.
Investigator news gathered that the family had a wake keep on Friday 27,June 2025 at the family compound
