Oguntade was ordained a pastor of CAC while at the Christ Apostolic Church, English Assembly in 1999, and he diligently served the Lord in several capacities before relocating to London in 2003.

He also served at a number of churches in London before settling at CAC, Surrey Docks DCC of Anosike Region in the UK.

He was a highly revered man of God widely noted for his kindness, selflessness, humility, generosity and a burning passion for the work of God.

The late pastor was also an IT guru who co-founded the IT firm, Remsund Nigeria Limited, with his childhood friend and brother-in-law, Pastor Remi Collins.

Before he relocated to the UK about two decades ago, they engineered the ASYCUDA software system deployed to the Lagos ports for use by the Nigerian Customs Service.

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Son of a pastor, Oguntade was a foundation Elder of CAC’s first ever purely English-speaking assembly founded by the Itire District in Lagos, and was instrumental to its subsequent growth into a district with several branches after hosting the first branch at his personal house in Ikate area of Surulere, Lagos.

He left Nigeria to settle in the UK with his entire family around 2003 and kept the fire of his service aglow through a productive partnership with Pastor Emmanuel Olusegun Medaiyese, pioneering Minister of the CAC at Surrey Docks, London, and foundation Chairman of the Anosike Region covering UK and Europe.

He is survived by his wife, Funmilayo Oguntade, and their children and grandchildren.

The CAC English District, Itire, Lagos, has rolled out plans for a commendation service in his honour, at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, August 12.

Venue is the CAC English District Headquarters at 3, Adefimihan Street, Off Itire-Mushin Road, Lagos.

An online posting by his family said: “Pastor Oguntade dedicated his life to the service of his community and faith, leaving behind a legacy of love, compassion, and spiritual guidance.

“He was more than a Pastor; he was a beacon of hope and support for countless individuals and families. His commitment to his faith and his community was unwavering, fostering an environment of growth and understanding. He is remembered not only for his spiritual leadership but also for his kindness, integrity, and the gentle strength he provided to those around him.

“While we reflect on his extraordinary journey, we also recognize the profound impact he had on the lives of those around him. Pastor Oguntade nurtured relationships that spanned generations, fostering a spirit of unity and resilience among his parishioners, friends, and family. His legacy will continue to inspire us to live with grace, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to our values.”

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The presence of the personalities gives more than an inkling into the character of our President. It confirms what some of us had always known. Muhammadu Buhari never forgets a good turn. He repays every kindness, every justice done to him, as much as it lies in his power.

When you show kindness to the living, it is a good thing, something to applaud. But when you go further to do the same to the dead, it is something that places you on a very high pedestal; a man to be emulated, acclaimed, a blessed of the Lord.

When you show kindness to the living, it is a good thing, something to applaud. But when you go further to do the same to the dead, it is something that places you on a very high pedesta

Hear what the Good Book says: “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and the dead.” (Ruth 2:20).

Examples abound of many people serving in government today, who are there at the behest of the President. Their paths had crossed at one time or the other, they did him a good turn, showed him loyalty, faithfulness, and many years later, one good turn deserved another.

Before we dwell on Margery Okadigbo and Constance Harry Marshall, let’s consider what the President did to two jurists, who had given bold and fair judgments in the many litigation processes the then Candidate Buhari got involved in, on his way to the Presidency.

In 2003, his first shot at the country’s number one seat, the electoral umpire gave victory to Olusegun Obasanjo of the People’s Democratic Party, over Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigerian People’s Party, ANPP. Buhari and his party went to court, and the Court of Appeal upheld the electoral victory of Obasanjo, the then sitting President.

But there was a man who gave a dissenting judgment. He was Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, from Oguta, in Imo State. In nullifying the election results, he declared: “I find that the substantial non-compliance with the mandatory electoral law amounts to no election. I also find that there was violence perpetuated by President Obasanjo. May Nigeria never and never again see a black Saturday like April 19, 2003.”

Justice Nsofor is Igbo. Buhari is Fulani. But justice knows neither race nor ethnicity. He ruled according to his conscience, though it was a minority judgment, which did not succeed in overturning the election results.

But what did Buhari do? Fourteen years later, when Nsofor was 82, and long retired, the President nominated him as Ambassador, and posted him to the United States of America. The Senate first balked, citing the man’s age, but the President re-presented him. Eventually, Justice Nsofor served in America from 2017, and died in 2020. Two times I met with him in the USA. What always struck me was his firm, strong handshake, and the quality of his mind. If you are healthy and strong, age does not truly matter. Age doesn’t mind, if you don’t mind it, goes the saying.

A second example. Anther jurist, this time, of the Supreme Court. George Adesola Oguntade. In 2007, Candidate Buhari felt shortchanged again, in the election in which Umaru Yar’Adua was declared winner. The victor himself confessed that the election was flawed. The case went as far as the Supreme Court, where the majority ruling gave victory to Yar’Adua and the PDP. But Justice Oguntade would have none of it. He upheld Buhari’s appeal, cancelled the polls, and ordered a rerun. But it was also a minority judgment.

What did Buhari do again? Ten years later, with Oguntade long retired, the President picked him as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Showing kindness to the living, and rewarding their good deeds.

Many other of such examples abound, but let’s go to the flip side. Showing kindness to the dead.

In his first outing in 2003, Buhari ran with the former Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, as vice presidential candidate. They both challenged the result of the election, and were determined to get justice. But in September of that year, Okadigbo died. Very painful.

Now, 19 years later, who has Buhari made Chairman of the NNPC Ltd Board? Margery, Okadigbo’s widow. “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and the dead.”

What of Constance Harry Marshall, a relation of Marshall Sokari Harry, a political ally of the then Candidate Buhari in ANPP in 2003. A day before Buhari would flag off his campaign in Port Harcourt, Rivers Sade, Marshall, who had decamped from PDP to become National Vice Chairman of ANPP, was assassinated. Painful. And those truly behind the murder were never known.

The lesson: Let us not be quick to condemn what or who we don’t know or understand.

Today, 19 years later, Constance Harry Marshall is on the NNPC Ltd Board. Yet, ignorant people say evil of this President. He’s a tyrant, wicked, unforgiving. Really? “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and the dead.”

The lesson: Let us not be quick to condemn what or who we don’t know or understand. President Buhari is strict, unbending on certain issues. But wicked? Not so. In the days of Gen Murtala Ramat Muhammed as head of state, one senior military officer described him as a bully, “a kind-hearted bully.” Same with Buhari. Not a bully, but strict man with a kind heart. A man who does not forget to show kindness to both the living and the dead.

You now see why some of us have chosen to follow the President through thick and thin? “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and the dead.”

*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

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