BY DAMOLA EMMANUEL
Elder Bola John Aragbaiye, husband of the renowned gospel music artiste, Evangelist Funmi Aragbaiye, and a former Editor with the defunct Sketch Newspapers, has passed on.
A press statement issued by a family member, Mr. Felix Olasoji, on Wednesday, announced his demise.
Aged 77, Mr Aragbaiye died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, after losing the battle with an unnamed ailment.
The demise of Elder Aragbaye, who had his tutelage as a journalist with The Nigerian Tribune, under the tutelage of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, one of the surviving fathers of modern Nigerian journalism, and a former Governor of Lagos State, has left his wife, Funmi, devastated.
Evangelist Funmi Aragbaye is the National President of the Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria, GOMAN.
The late Aragbaiye, according to the release, left The Nigerian Tribune in 1967 to join The Sketch Press Limited, where he rose to the position of Editor. In 1981, he was appointed Chief Press Secretary by late Chief Adekunle Ajasin, then governor of Ondo State.
Elder Aragbaye, who marked his 77th birthday on November 10, 2018, would be remembered for his exemplary leadership and philanthropic gestures to all who came his way.
His marriage to Evangelist Funmi Aragbaye was blessed with God-fearing children, grandchildren and family members.
Felix Olasoji, in the release, said burial arrangements will be announced later.
Meanwhile, tributes have started pouring for the late editor.
The Governor of Lagos State chapter of GOMAN, Evangelist Philip Olayiwola, a.k.a.Pholat, described the late editor as “a loving father whose generosity and love for God and humanity knew no bounds. He was a great mentor who used his life to practically teach people the way of Christ.
“In a world blinded by the lust of money, where many have sold their souls to the devil because of money, the late Elder Aragbaye was never given to materialism and vain-gloriousness. Rather, he lived a pious life. He led an exemplary Christian life whose focus was squarely on God, his Maker. He was a good husband to his wife, a great father to his children, a rock behind his legendary wife and our leader in GOMAN, Evangelist Funmi Aragbaiye.
“GOMAN, Lagos State, sympathises with our national leader at this difficult hour and we pray God to comfort her and every member of her great family. We pray that God will grant the soul of our loving father sweet repose in His bosom. He will be sorely missed.”
