PROVINCE 4 ELDERS COUNCIL TRIBUTE
This is not an easy task for any of us in the Provincial Elders Council, definitely not for us in the Executive Council. Elder (AP) Mrs Fola Lukanmbi joined the Executive Council just about three and half years ago and she came beaming with light and truth. We were very aware that she was well educated, urbane and had a robust family and professional background. We also discovered that she was well immersed in the scripture, a prayer warrior, a woman of faith, and tireless team worker.Fola took her assignment and engagement at the Executive Council very seriously and seemed to have set herself the personal goal of fusing the City of David Wisdom Group with the mainstream Province 4 Elders Council. Hitherto, the Wisdom Group in City of David and some other parishes were far removed from the Provincial Council perhaps due to some misconceptions. Fola Lukambi set herself the personal goal of bringing all Church members who are 45 years and above to relate as one body irrespective of names or appellations. This she achieved very excellently within 3 years to the extent that we had held two seminars at COD in the last two years. COD began to attend our night vigils, Elders Congress and Joint programmes. We were pleasantly encouraged during the Family Week-end activities at Hope Hall Parish that about ten leading members of the COD Wisdom group attended, led by their chairman, Elder Otu-Mba and his Executive Council members. Incidentally, our late pastor Mrs Fola Lukanmbi was already onHospital bed at Cider Crest Orthopaedic Hospital in Ikeja at that time. We just cannot fully grasp how the Lord works out His purposes!
Fola, you with us held an Exco meeting on October 23rd at Hope Hall that was meant to tie up loose ends concerning the Elders Joint Programme for the 2014 Family Week-end. You were so lively, jovial and optimistic that you would dance ‘like no one’s Business’ at the programme. Many caterers were suggested but your candidate towered above all others. It was there a great shock when on Wednesday, December 12, that you called me and my deputy individually to report that you had an auto accident and was admitted at the Military hospital the previous day while on your way back to your Redemption Camp residence from church service.
Fola, though I was away to Ibadan, my deputy and four other members of the Exco were at your bedside for over five hours until the failed attempt to transfer you to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi. Fola we were back to Military hospital the following day until we searched you out at Cider Crest Hospital in Ikeja GRA. Because you Fola are very precious and loving to us, we had to squeeze in some time to meet with you at the hospital, bringing along the Visiting National Elder to visit, play and pray with you. Oh! What encouraging and faith building statements and words always came out of your mouth!
We are sure you were any pastor’s or prophet’s delight to visit and pray for on sick bed. We indeed believe that no doctor would wish for a more positive patient. None of us and not one of the senior pastors and servants of God that visited you had inkling that you may pay the bodily death debt in that hospital! And that calls us to soberness and resignation to God’s ALMIGHTINESS.
Again, we call to remembrance your extra-ordinary service to our members during the Elder’s Congress, 2014, which took place at the Redemption Camp in June. Everybody involved commented that it was the best organized year for Province 4; just because of your sacrifices, Fola! You, without any prompting or request offered to surrender your newly completed and ultra modern bungalow at the Camp as the cooking and meal preparation point for our Province. You also assisted in securing accommodation in the Shilo rented apartments. You did not stop there but amazed us in that you were directly involved in the cooking of food, three times a day during the 2-day meeting. You also used your car to convey drinks and made every Elder happy. I remember we in the leadership were concerned that you were over working to satisfy us at your own expense and inconvenience.
On hindsight, we feel that you particularly went out in the last two years to serve the Lord and the saints as if you were aware that your time on this side of eternity was ebbing out. Perhaps not but surely, Fola, you knew how to love and to serve.
You were very good to many other people’s children and God,even our God shall be good to Doyin, Debo and all your children including adopted and spiritual ones
Adieu. We shall not and will not forget you. We know that it is well with your soul. Rest in the bosom of your Saviour, Lord and Master till we meet to part no more.
Elder Olaniyi Yusuf
Chairman/Coordinator, RCCG-Lagos Province 4 Elders Council