By Sunday Oyinloye
When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
His Grace, Baba Aladura Prophet Samuel Adefila Abidoye, Spiritual Father/Chairman Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church worldwide was not just a Prince, he was a courageous man who against all odds documented the history of his linage, the Abegunde Adukanjemeji Royal family in Omu Aran, Kwara State.
Baba Aladura Samuel Adefila Abidoye was the Head of Ile-Nla Compound, Abegunde Adukanjemi Royal family.
Apart from good name, philanthropist gestures and the status of Baba Aladura, his book titled ‘The Struggle for the Throne of Omu-Aran 1900-1945’ is the greatest treasure he left for generations of Abegunde Adukanjemeji Dynasty.
Expectedly, the book made him to have few enemies in the town, but majority of the people of Omu-Aran were on his side because he was blunt and straight in the book. He set the record straight, and the rest is history.
Baba Aladura authored not less than 12 books, but ‘The Struggle for the Throne of Omu-Aran 1900-1945’ is the most prized by the Abegunde Adukanjemeji Dynasty because it captures the correct and accurate history of the family. This is not to say that they don’t value his other books.
His family was lucky to have produced three Obas namely Abegunde, Odetundun and Durotoye.
Baba Aladura until he went to meet his maker last year was the pillar of the family, and the proverbial big tree under which family members took cover in terms of good counsel, prayers and protection of the dynasty’s interest.
Fondly called Baba llu Oyinbo (Londoner) by the family members, Baba Aladura was a great disciplinarian who kept everyone together as one. Whenever there were issues or challenges facing the family, he would be the first person to be called. Such was his value to the Abegunde Adukanjemeji Royal Family.
He was loved by family members because of his humility, generosity, frank talks and spirituality. Baba was not a man who would speak to impress people; he would rather call a spade a spade.
He was a great statesman, nationalist and philanthropist who left his comfort zone to advocate for the poor and vulnerable in the country.
According to Jackie Robinson “A life is not important except in the impacts it has on other lives”. Baba Aladura must have known this early, thus his impactful life, particularly his numerous “fights” for those who do not have a voice in the society.
Available records show that in almost all the interviews he granted the media, there was hardly any he didn’t make mention of the need for the government, corporate organisations and individuals to consider the interest of the downtrodden in the society.
Baba Aladura through his sermons, interviews and writings was on the side of the poor and the vulnerable until he was called home. He chose not to compromise his faith and therefore was always calling on the government at the three tiers to help the poor
A true lover of God, the C&S Movement Church service in United Kingdom started in his London house, and he never looked back until his call to glory.
Prophet Samuel Adefila Abidoye was one of the early indigenes of Igbomina Ekiti educated at the Native Authority School, Omu-Aran and also one of the first to travel overseas.
Baba Aladura was man always in search of more knowledge; little wonder ICT soon became his hobby.
His father, Odetundun, and grandfather, Abegunde were Obas respectively, while his mother, Tinuade was a Princess from Oponda in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Baba will be missed by the old and young members of Abegunde Adukanjemeji Royal Family, the vulnerable in Nigeria, the C&S Movement worldwide and all lovers of justice across the globe.
Mahatma Gandhi has said it all “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
One of the popular quotes of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill is “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Indeed, Baba Aladura, Prophet Samuel Adefila Abidoye gave all he could as a human being to make the society a better place.
Good night my uncle, Prince Samuel Adefila Abidoye, until we meet to part no more.
Baba Aladura, continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord.
