Jare Olukotun
Absence of popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, popularly called ‘Jennifer’ by her teeming fans, and her siblings at their father’s burial in Ikorodu on Friday, January 17, 2020, has drawn the anger of the Presiding Bishop, The Rt. Rev. S.O Osundina, JP, the Bishop of Diocese of Ikorodu, Methodist Church Nigeria.
Very Revd. Godwin Olusoji Akindele, aged 72, died on Saturday, December 7, 2019, after a brief illness.
He was buried on Friday at his Ibeshe home in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area.
Family members, friends, serving and retired Principals, members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ikorodu chapter and former students of late Revd. Akindele, attended the burial service held at the Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Cathedral, Ita Elewa, Ikorodu.
Bishop Osundina, while delivering the burial sermon, commended the former Principal and Priest for a life well-spent.
He asked late Revd. Akindele’s siblings present at the burial service why his children were not in attendance.
He then suspended the usual outing and thanksgiving services which are final programes in Christian’s burial till when the deceased’s children are available to attend.
A source in the Church who told THE IMPACT that all the deceased’s children were also absent at the Service of Songs on Thursday, added that the children have since relocated abroad, including Funke Akindele who, according to her, is presently in Dubai.
Late Revd. Akindele was born into the family of Pastor Richard Obabunmi Akindele of Fasenro family, Oshorun village in Igbogbo, Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area and Deaconess Alice Idowu Omolaja of Odofin family in Ikorodu Local Government.
He started his working career as a Clerk with Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ijora, and later proceeded to the College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Yaba. He went abroad on scholarship to study Vocational, Technical and Adult Education in University of Wisconsin and later obtained Master’s Degree in Education Administration at the same University.
He was the Vice Principal of the Lagos State Model College, Igbokuta and later Principal of Keme Balogun College, Ibeshe, Wasimi Community Grammar School, Ikeja and United Senior High School, Ikorodu, where he retired in 2008.
Late Revd. Akindele was ordained a priest of Methodist Church Nigeria in 2006 and was elevated to the position of a Presbyter in November 2017.
He was survived by three daughters – Bunmi, Funke and Bimbo and a son, Akin.
Attempt to reach Funke Akindele for her comment on the Bishop’s reaction proved abortive.
