It was a gathering of family members, friends, colleagues, well-wishers, and the general public as the family of late Princess Wuraola Florence Adewoyin, rolled out the drums to offer thanks to God for her life well lived.
The Thanksgiving Service, which was held at The Apostolic Church, Abule Egba District on Friday, was conducted by the Apostle in charge of the district, James Adedamola Salako.
In his sermon titled: “Death, the Way to Eternity,” Apostle Salako while eulogising the life Mrs. Adewoyin lived, admonished the congregation to live a life worthy of emulation and pleasing unto God for death is an inevitable end, which must come when it must come.
“Whether we like it or not, we must die someday, and you only be remembered by how you affected humanity and the kingdom of God as well as be accorded eternal recognition in heaven because God has not found you wanting in your spiritual race,” he said.
He informed that it was in order to shed tears for ‘our sister’, but informed that rejoicing is more appropriate as she lived a God-fearing life, and is now received in heaven.
“Death does not have a date. Death does not say because you are young or you are old that you are not going to die. We should all be prepared for death. Do good, and prepare yourself for death, so that when the time comes, you will be free to go to meet your Lord. The Bible says, Prepare to meet your Lord. So we should all be prepared. That’s my message,” he concluded.
Shortly after the sermon, Apostle Salako, assisted by the Assembly Pastor, E. O. Oke, prayed for the family members of the late Adewoyin, asking God to grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the loss of their mother, wife, and sister.
Speaking to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), family members and colleagues of the late former sub-editor with ThisDay Newspaper, bared their minds on her personality, describing her as highly energetic, vibrant, and friendly.
Among the dignitaries present at the event was the Director of Digital, ThisDay Newspaper, Mr. Tokunboh Adedoye, who was Adewuyin’s former boss. He described the deceased as an excellent human being, who took her job seriously and performed professionally.
“I worked with Mrs. Adewoyin for four consecutive years, and she was an excellent human being. A professional to the core. She took her job very seriously. While I was the Group’s News editor. She was the sub-editor. She was very diligent, very committed, very hardworking. She could do any task with little or no supervision. She had a very good command of English, and she could edit excellently. It was a joy working with her. Even after she left the organisation, she kept in touch. From time to time, she would call and we would exchange views and all that. During her 50th birthday, my wife flew in to attend. That was how important she was to us. It’s sad she’s gone but I believe that she has left a good legacy. And I’m happy for her children,” Adedoye said.
In her eulogy, the first daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Ayobami Adewoyin-Kelani, a Communications expert, described her mother as very accommodating and a woman whose presence was felt wherever she appeared.
“My mum was very accommodating. We just wonder how many hearts she had as she made room for everyone irrespective. She nurtured and mentored people. If she were not my mum, but a woman I just met, maybe at work, I would have loved her. She had such a great personality. It’s very easy to fall in love with her. She’s respectful and wonderful.
“I will miss her energy. My mum was an energy goddess. When she enters a place, you will know that somebody has entered. She brought cheerfulness, cheery atmosphere, vivaciousness, and vibe wherever she was,” Mrs. Kelani said.
Apostle Salako corroborated the stance of everyone on the personality of Mrs. Adewoyin, adding that she was a ‘great believer’, willing to participate in all church activities.
“She was lively from what people say about her, and what I saw within the short period I was with her. She was apostolic to the core. And that I’m going to miss her. She held on to the doctrines of The Apostolic Church vis a vis the rule of belief, the rule of conduct, and the tenet of the apostolic church.
In her vote of thanks, the last child of the deceased, Miss Tomiwa Adewoyin, appreciated the guests for the love showed during their time of mourning and wished everyone a safe trip as they journeyed back to their respective homes.
“My mother defines everything. She was my mother. She was the sister. She was my friend. She was my best friend,” she said.
Mrs. Adewoyin died on July 8, 2023, at the age of 57, and was buried on July 10.
She is survived by her husband, children and sisters among whom is Mrs Bose Adelaja, a member of NAOSNP.