Odekina Of Heirs Holdings Loses Father

The Odekina family, on Tuesday, announced the passing of Elder Ibrahim Odekina, the patriarch of the Odekina lineage.

Elder Odekina, who had clocked 73 on July 28, passed away on August 6, 2017 in Jos, Plateau State.

Elder Odekina was raised and mentored by his uncle Pa Okolo Okpachi, after the death of his father, Pa Odekina Ogohi in 1951.

He graduated as an R. K. prize winner from the prestigious Okene Secondary School, Okene (now known as Abdulazeez College, Okene), after completing his primary school education in 1957 from the Igala Native Authority Primary School, Eti-Aja-Ugbogbo, Anyigba.

Late Odekina equally attended the Government College, Zaria, where he obtained his Higher School Certificate (A-Levels).

Asides obtaining certificates in surveying and telecommunications, Elder Odekina held certificate of City and Guilds London.

The Odekina family described the deceased as “An outstanding engineer of repute, it is worthy of note that most of his skills in engineering were self-taught.”

He was said to have in 1981 “transferred his services to the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, which at the time was known as Federal University of Technology, Makurdi.

“His service years in Makurdi saw him also serve as participant with the World Bank on equipment maintenance, repair and instrumentation.

“He rose here to the rank of Chief technologist before retiring voluntarily in 1996 after 24 years post-qualification experience in the discipline of Electrical Engineering and Electronics.

“On July 26, 1970 at Qua Iboe Church Ungwan-Shanu, Kaduna, Odekina got married to Mary Ajala Ebenehi and their marriage is blessed with five children and 12 grandchildren.

“He ran his family with strict standards for discipline, hardwork, diligence and integrity.”

Late Elder Odekina’s “motivation has been to take decisions and actions that will ensure none of his children would be handicapped in the race of life,” said the family.

“On the home front, he has left a legacy of excellence, discipline and love for the study of the word of God and prayer.

“Odekina’s date with death came as no surprise to him as he was prepared and he ensured his family too was prepared.

“Weeks before he passed on, he often reported that he keeps seeing himself in a beautiful place with fine music that he loved very much.

“He also said he received visits from three men speaking a language he didn’t understand.

“Two weeks before his passing, he kept singing the last stanza of the hymn:

‘Amazing Grace,” every day, especially during morning devotion:

‘Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

‘And mortal life shall cease,

‘I shall possess, within the veil,

‘A life of joy and peace.’

The late Odekina was described by one of his sons, Omede Odekina as “a phenomenal father, brother, Uncle, grandfather, friend, and mentor.

“He lived a selfless life and was never economical in his love for God, family, friends and neighbours.

“He was an unrepentant and sacrificial giver.

“His life has been a huge blessing and inspiration to us all.

“He has left a legacy of the difference we all can make by investing in life’s most valuable resource – people.

“He will be greatly missed by all.

“We have the hope of Resurrection as the anchor of our faith.”