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Family, friends pay last rest to late Isaac Awokuse As encomiums pour in for the deceased
It was glitz and glamour at the weekend as family, relatives, friends and brethren of late Elder Isaac Awokuse gathered to pay their last respect to the deceased.
The funeral, which was held at the deceased’s church, the Apostolic Faith, Akiode, Ojodu in Lagos, recorded large turn out, leaving the church auditorium filled to the brim.
In a sermon titled “Eternity”, the presiding Pastor, Benson Adenegan, charged the gathering to live Godly and purposefully by positively impacting lives.
“We must do everything possible, strive to make heaven in order to avert hell,” the Pastor said. “Eternity is real. There is another life after death, which is life eternal and what is important is where to spend this eternity – heaven or hell?”
He added that to spend eternity in heaven, deliberate steps must be taken which include asking for forgiveness of sins and repenting of those sins and pleading the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse the sins and continue to remain in Christ.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in for late Elder Isaac Awokuse, with many describing him as loving, caring and accommodating.
Son of the deceased, Robert Awokuse, described his late father as loving and caring, and a father who could do anything for his children, especially towards their education.
“You were a loving and caring father who prioritised the welfare of his children in all ramifications. You were an epitome of a true father, longing for things of God and extending same to us,” he stated.
Also speaking, an in-law, Lawrence Okedara said: “He was a man with the mind of Christ, easily accessible to all and sundry, very helpful to whoever came in contact with him; free minded, kind and loving. He was a detribalised fellow who does not discriminate.”
Also commenting, the deceased’s niece, Mrs Olubukola Ojo and her siblings in their remarks said “Daddy, you fought the battle of faith and you won; victory at last. You were a father to all; caring, loving and accommodating.
Describing the deceased as a rare gem, a childhood friend, Mrs Olufunmilayo Faniyi said: “Everyone who knew you can attest to the fact that you are indeed a rare GEM, an epitome of love, humility, caring and understanding. A man who was devoted and compassionate about the Kingdom matters. We will miss such an amiable, hospitable, kind and industrious brother like you in our midst.
One of the church brethren, Funmi Adegbola remarked that late Isaac Awokuse’s “remembrance was sweet”.
She further stated: “Daddy, you were indeed a father and a man of God. Thanks for the fatherly advice and your kindness I enjoyed in the short space of time I knew you.”
Late Elder Isaac Awokuse was born on 11th of February 1944 at P66 Ikoti Street Ilesa, Osun State to Late Pa Abraham Awokuse, the son of Awoyemi from Arapate Oloworaiye ruling house in Ilesa and Late Madam Christiana Awokuse of Ere Ijesa. He was the last child of his mother’s four children.
Following the death of his mother while he was a child, late Isaac Awokuse joined his elder sister, Late Mrs Mosebolatan Oni at Orunfoosin to live with her for many years.
There, he completed his primary school education at L A Primary School, Isedo in 1955 and secondary modern education in 1963 at United Secondary School Oke-Osin, all in Atakumasa West Local Government Area of Osun State. He was the best student in mathematics at the school during his days.
However, due to financial constraints, he could not immediately continue with his tertiary education, hence he enrolled as a draughtsman apprentice in Ilesha, living with his aunt Late Madam (Deaconess) Deborah Faseyiku at Oke-Iyin, shortly after his elder brother Late Pastor Samuel Awokuse relocated to Lagos. His training enabled him to practise as a construction foreman.
Following completion of his training, Isaac Awokuse moved to Lagos to join his late elder brother Samuel Awokuse at Idi-Oro, Mushin. While with his elder brother, he was privileged to get employment as a foreman with Strabag Nigeria in 1971 and he was actively involved in the construction of the then new terminal of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Ikeja from 1973 to 1976.
While working with Strabag he was able to continue his tertiary education for a National Diploma in Civil Engineering at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos in 1976. Having been trained earlier as a draughtsman, he started a consultancy firm in 1976 with services such as training apprentices as well as designing and building houses.
In 1979, Isaac Awokuse, in collaboration with his late friend, Elder Abiodun Makanjuola, established an engineering firm, AMEC (Awokuse Makanjuola Engineering Company), with subsidiary in food production, and much later, he went into estate management, a venture he maintained until his demise.
He is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.
