TRIBUTE TO ELDERMAN NATHANIEL FOLARIN COKER, OON, CPA.
BY THE CATHEDRAL TORCH BEARERS.
The Baba Eto of Lagos.
The Baba Oba of Lagos.
Bobagunwa of Igede-Ekiti.
Cathedral Torch Bearers.
A very deep sense of loss enveloped all members of the Cathedral Torch Bearers, the foremost male society in the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, when the news of the passing into Glory of our President Elderman Nathaniel Folarin Coker broke out.
Our President, the Baba Eto of Lagos, had laid down his Torch on Wednesday, 12th August 2020, at the very ripe age of 97 years.
Baba Eto has made his glorious exit and triumphant return into the Bosom of our Lord and Maker.
Our records show that Elderman Nathaniel Folarin Coker joined the Cathedral Torch Bearers Society in 1975 under the chairmanship of late Engr. F.A.O. Phillips. His membership number is 67. The only other members who joined in the same year with him was late Otunba H.O. Afolabi-Alu.
Elderman Folarin Coker, fondly referred to all and sundry as Baba Eto, started his relationship with the Torch Bearers Society in general in 1966 when he joined the Cathedral Torch Bearers of St. James' Cathedral Church, Oke-Bola, Ibadan, on the Cathedral Torch Bearers of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, who having moved to Ibadan to establish the Diocesan Education General's office of the Anglican Mission then, established a Torch Bearers Society in Ibadan.
On the movement of Elderman Folarin Coker to take up an appointment with the Lagos State Civil Service, he continued his service to the Torch Bearers by joining the Cathedral Torch Bearers of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos. It is on record that Elderman Folarin Coker was the only member of the Cathedral Torch Bearers who did not go through the rigours of filling application forms and waiting for assessment and appraisal before admission. He was admitted instantly on the presentation of a recommendation letter from the founding Chairman, late Mr E.B. Osibo, having shown impressive performance when he was an active member of the Cathedral Torch Bearers in Ibadan.
Elderman Folarin Coker became a major supporting pillar to the Cathedral Torch Bearers. He became a rallying point and could be aptly described as a "catalytic enzyme" whenever issues got rather difficult, he was always ready to offer solutions. He was a great motivator, energetic, always displaying a friendly disposition with his charming smile, always welcoming.
Baba Eto was always proud of his membership of the Cathedral Torch Bearers and would radiantly adorn his membership badge.
Despite his later years sight challenges and even when old age started creeping in, Baba Eto remained determined and undaunted. He participated fully in all the activities of the Society with full confidence and deep commitment. Baba Eto was always one of the first to arrive at meetings.
Baba Eto impacted many lives especially in both the social and religious circles. He was truly amazing. He took responsibility to ensure through appropriate advise, issues were treated and tackled properly. Baba Eto will always be remembered by all as a revered and highly regarded quintessential philanthropist, with deep affection for the Cathedral Torch Bearers.
Baba Eto was a socialite par excellence. He was known by everybody from his younger days as Baba Eto. He was really Baba Eto to the core. A Lagos social heavyweight whose foot prints are indelible on the sands of time.
Elderman Nathaniel Folarin Coker, in recognition of his services to the Cathedral Torch Bearers was initially appointed as a Vice President when late Engr F.A.O. Phillips was President between 1995 to 2008. He was later unanimously appointed as the 5th President in 2008 after the transition of Engr. F.A.O. Phillips. The position he held until he also answered the call. It is important to note that one of the major criteria for the appointment of any person to the position of President of the Cathedral Torch Bearers is that such a person must be a distinguished and committed member of the Society worshipping regularly in the Cathedral Church of Christ. Elderman Folarin Coker was identified not only as a distinguished and committed member, but also an accomplished technocrat, a lawyer by profession and an astute public servant, whose positive influence was well accepted both in and out of the Church. The Cathedral Torch Bearers therefore identified him as a fit and proper person to be appointed as the President.
The Cathedral Torch Bearers was very dear to Elderman Folarin Coker as a Society. The moment he took over as the President, he graciously accepted to host the annual anniversary of the Society for many years.
Elderman Folarin Coker's services and commitment to the Church were duly recognised and appreciated not only by the Cathedral Church of Christ, but also by the Diocese of Lagos Anglican Communion. He was appointed as the Diocesan Historian Plenipotentiary, he served on the Diocesan Board for several years and was honoured with the prestigious award of an Episcopal Awardee. The Cathedral Church of Christ recognized his contributions with the conferment of the highest honour of Cathedral Parish Award (CPA). He was Patron to several societies and service units.
Members of the Cathedral Torch Bearers convey our deeply felt condolences and commiserate with the entire Coker Family, especially his look-alike son Folorunsho. The Almighty God who gave Baba Eto the Grace to live to an old age before completing his sojourn here on earth, will likewise fulfill His promise of long life on each and every member of the family left behind.
We give thanks to God that Baba Eto lived an exemplary life in service to both his God and humanity, and lived a fulfilled life having achieved the ripe age of 97 years. We also pray for the repose of his Soul and that the Almighty God will grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
As Christians, we are comforted with the belief that death is an indispensable prelude to immortality, so we are consoled that Elderman Nathaniel Folarin Coker's services here on earth were done, our Creator, the Almighty God saw his last moments and gracefully liberated him into His everlasting kingdom.
We are confident that a glorious welcome awaits him in heaven with trumpets sounding and Angel's singing, where the stage is set in gold with Baba Eto arriving with trade mark dancing steps and looking down at us saying "e ti ri nkan kan, abuke a gbomo pon."
Baba Eto, may your Soul find a place in God's Bosom and Rest Peacefully. Amen.
The Cathedral Torch Bearers,
Cathedral Church of Christ,
Marina, Lagos.