Eulogies Showers On Aboderin Even In Death

Family, friends and well-wishers came together on Wednesday to relate their experiences with the late Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gbadebowale Aboderin, during a service of songs held at his residence in Punch Estate, Ikeja, Lagos.

Aboderin’s sister, Mrs Wunmi Tunde-Obe, describing him as a blessing, stated that the deceased had lived a “good quality” life and left an impact on the lives of all he came across.

Tunde-Obe said she felt blessed to have had Wale as a brother.

She added, “I heard all the great things people that are not close family members had to say, and I must say, they didn’t lie or exaggerate. I am glad they all experienced the wonderfulness of my brother, which I enjoyed and will sorely miss. But I take in the fact that he is in a better place.”

Aboderin’s brother-in-law, Segun Obe, said the earliest memories of the deceased were his love for life, family and good things.

According to Obe, Aboderin never minced words about what he wanted.

“He was always crystal clear and that made him come off as harsh, but that was because of his passion for life, good deeds and music. Even though he wasn’t an entertainer for a living, whenever he performed, he delivered with passion.

“I felt at home today knowing that a great number of people were blessed by him. Every time we talked, he always had inspiring words for me. I will miss him dearly,” Obe said.

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House Church, in his message titled, ‘The Lord will comfort you,’ said, Aboderin’s children were his first and last investment.

Ighodalo assured the deceased’s children that God would look after them and prayed that his wife, Titi’s labour of love would not be in vain.

He said, “I assure you that the Lord will love, comfort and look after you, Titi, Cherelle and Nicole. The rich and the poor are equal in death; as such, those that have the privilege of the breath of life should learn to take life easy. All will die, what we do at the end of the day is all that matters.

“God will strengthen all of us and correct all places that need correction. When God allows it, we accept what God has allowed and let the departed go.”

Aboderin’s former neighbour, Mr. Esezobor Okonoboh, who is also the immediate past Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, stated that the legacy of the deceased would live on in his children.

Okonoboh said, “He was a great man, whom I will miss immensely. I knew him for 25 years. We were very close. To his children, God will give them the strength to bear his passing. However, they know the legacy their father left and they need to live up to it and possibly surpass it.

“There are big shoes to fill but God will give them the strength. His wife should keep on cooperating as she has been doing because if she wasn’t a cooperative wife, he probably wouldn’t have attained that great height.”

Rapper, Idris Abdulkareem, was also at the service and lauded the deceased’s love for basketball, saying, “He was like a family friend because my wife plays basketball and he was a strong supporter of women’s basketball. He was kind-hearted and loving. Quite simply, the world needs more people like him. He will be greatly missed.”