It was celebration of life and showering of encomiums as Poka’s popular Philanthropist and Religious leader, the Baba Ijo of African Church Mission, Pa Olatunde Alfred Ogunsanya was on Saturday, 7th February, 2026 laid to rest at his country home in Poka, Epe.
Pa Olatunde Ogunsanya’s body was later lowered to the grave and interred at his Poka’s residence in the presence of his children among whom is Gboyega Ogunsanya and his other siblings, after a burial service was held at the African Church Mission, Poka, Epe for the repose of his soul and to make the passage more easier for him.
Apart from his children and grandchildren, Pa Ogunsanya’s interment was witnessed by family members, his Church members, associates after a grave orations and brief sermon delivered by various ministers of God, particularly that of African Church Mission, Poka, Epe.
In a thought provoking sermon during the Wake keep held at his Poka’s residence, The Rt. Revd Engr. O B Durowoju, the Bishop of Ijebu – Ibadan Diocese, described late Pa Olatunde Alfred Ogunsanya as a fulfilled religious personality, a cheerful givers, who used his philanthropic tendencies to uplift and better the lives of some many people including his own children and those who are not his biological children across the length and breadth of Poka in particular and Epe in general.
The clergy also commended Pa Ogunsanya’s devotion and dedication to the duty and work of God and his service to humanity, which prompted the African Church Mission, Poka to honoured and conferred on him the title of Baba Ijo of the Church following his religious, economic and social contributions in uplifting the image of the Mission to a greater heights and for his spiritual endowment.
All his children paid a glowing tributes and showered encomiums to their late father for a life – well spent and for his efforts in molding them with morals, characters and good behaviours, and to be contented, coupled with adequate training which has prepared them for the journey of life. They also acknowledged his personal contributions in giving them quality education which has propelled them in their chosen professional callings.
In his own tribute to his late father, Pa Olatunde Alfred Ogunsanya, Gboyega Ogunsanya described his beloved late father as benevolent, religious, and peace – loving personality and for his caring, training, character molding and for providing them with basic needs of life.
Gboyega said, his late father taught him the rudiments of life, to be honest, truthful, trustworthy, to be kind and good to people irrespective of who they are which he noted must be commended. He also showered encomiums and expressed gratitude to his late father who gave him sound education and proper home training which he said has remain part of him till today. He also described him not only as a good, caring, loving and dependable father, but second to none and incomparable.
He thanked Almighty God for giving him such a good, caring, reliable, dependable, kind father and will also want him again as father in another world and prayed to Almighty God to grant his kind and loving soul eternal rest. A special thanksgiving service was later held in memory of Pa Olatunde Alfred Ogunsanya by families, friends, associates, invited guests at the same Church for a life well spent in the service of humanity.
Invited guests from every strata of the society, including sons and daughters of Poka and that of Epe were later at a reception entertained with sumptuous food, different brand of drinks and there was sonorous music from a Popular Juju Music maestro, Mega Nine Nine who ditched out various tunes from his music repertoire which he used to pray for the repose of the soul of Pa Ogunsanya. And also thrilled the guests with classic songs to the admiration of those that were present at venue of the reception which took place at Pobo Primary School, Poka.
The event of Saturday, 7th February, 2026 was really a Celebration of Life and honouring the legacy of late Pa Olatunde Alfred Ogunsanya.
In conclusion, to add colours and royalty to the occasion, the traditional Institutions were fully represented, as all the Paramount Rulers in Poka, Epe sent in their prayers and blessings through their representatives along with their staff of office which served as a significant symbols at the event.
Also Diasporas from Canada, the United States, London and other European Countries were not left out as they came in their numbers to honour, show love and celebrate with Gboyega Ogunsanya and his siblings at their Father’s final burial ceremony which took place recently.
