By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

The whole of Ijebu land and many people across the country Nigeria including Christians and non Christians found their way to Christ the Catholic College, Odolewu, to experience the Requiem Mass of Most. Rev Albert Ayinde Fasina, the late Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese which took place on Wednesday 14th July 2021 at 10:00am. The previous day Tuesday 13th July started the burial rite with the Wake ceremony at St. Sebastian Cathedral.

At the conclusion of the Requiem Mass on Wednesday, Most Rev Francis Obafemi Adesina, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode in gratitude to the Most High, thanked the Lord God for his benevolence on the Late Bishop and the Church. With sincere appreciation, he thanked the President of Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze. He thanked the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martin, the Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin and all the Archbishops and Bishops present at the celebration. He also thanked the Priests, Religious, Laity, the Fasina’s family, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), league of Imams, Alfas and everyone present at the event. In a special way, he thanked those who took care of Baba Fasina during his retirement age. Mentioning but few out of many, Dr. Obaje, M.D. Lafia Kowa Hospital, staff of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, the youths who stayed night and day during his old age and sickness period. He appreciated Rev. Fr Daniel Ogunsanya, Mr. Ignatius, Felix, Yemisi, Joseph, Emmanuel and Mr Godwin Asukwuo (Baba’s driver). He prayed that they will be favoured till their old age, through Christ our Lord.

He shared his personal testimony with everyone. He said, “my faith in the Lord has genuinely grown with my personal encounter with Bishop Fasina. It is a great privilege to have succeeded such a great humble man of God”. He described Bishop Fasina’s simplicity, perseverance, generosity and prayer life as incomparable. He admonished everyone to keep the memory and legacy of Bishop Fasina in faith, love and unity as they move on.

He thanked the benefactors who donated in kind and cash for the funeral Mass of Bishop Fasina. He prayed that the Almighty God will rest the soul of Bishop Albert Ayinde Fasina.
It was an event with a mixed feeling of an earthly loss which amounts to heaven’s gain.