It is quite unbelievable that Dn (Prof.) Taiwo Adewole has passed on to glory. A perfect gentleman and a great leader indeed! A caring, kind, compassionate and loving leader has departed this sinful world. He came, he served His master and humanity meritoriously and has returned home gloriously to where we meet to part no more. While some others consider some times as off duty times, for God and humanity, Dn. (Prof.) Taiwo Adewole was always on duty, always willing to help!
It was 3rd of February, 1998, three of us were working for the Master to develop the New Members handbook for the young, yet-to-be organised New Heritage Baptist Church, Shomolu. Suddenly a call came through on the land phone, a tragedy had befallen the young church; one of our leaders had just passed on to glory. Immediately, Dr. Adewole (not yet a deacon then) and I zoomed off to LUTH in separate cars trusting God that we would be able to wake up our dead leader. Some brethren joined us there and we prayed our hearts out trusting God for a miracle. After some time, Dr. Adewole consoled and advised us as a medical practitioner that our leader had gone on a journey of no return. In providing spiritual and medical counsel, Dn. (Prof.) Adewole was always on duty, always willing to help!
It was 2008, the New Heritage Baptist Church had been without a substantive Pastor for about 5 years then. There was a need to get a Baptist trained Pastor to shepherd the church. Various efforts had been made in the past to get a suitable Pastor for the fast growing church but they proved abortive. A new direction to the Pastor search came in 2008, a Pastor based in Port Harcourt had been suggested, the Diaconate needed to swing into action. The baton fell on Dn. (Prof.) Adewole as the then Diaconate Chairman and myself as the Diaconate Secretary. The King's business required haste. Off to Port Harcourt we went to visit the church of the Pastor suggested. Our mission was a discreet one and must be carried out with all sense of responsibility. After the church service, with maturity and godly wisdom, Dn. Adewole led the team to meet and discuss with the man of God who would later become the dynamic Pastor of the New Heritage Baptist Church from 2008 till date. Our mission to Port Harcourt was successful, we came back with a positive report. The rest is now history. When it comes to serving the Master and humanity, Dn. (Prof.) was always on duty, always willing to help!
Time would fail me to talk about the countless times Dn. (Prof.) Adewole and other dynamic members of the then Diaconate had visited various homes and hospitals within Lagos to pray for sick members of the church on admission or on emergency. Through these prayers, our dependable God had intervened several times to avert deaths or other serious consequences. Apart from joining other Diaconate members to pray, Prof. would also provide medical advice and counsel, which oftentimes had guided the Diaconate team to pray aright concerning each case. When it comes to showing compassion and empathy, Dn. (Prof.) Adewole was always on duty, always willing to help!
What more can I say about the benefits my family personally derived from our relationship with this humble and great leader of men? Should I talk about the countless times we had called on him for medical advice and guidance when we were confused or anxious about the diagnoses or prescriptions received from our family hospital(s)? He was always willing to give us a second opinion or to explain to us more clearly the medical jargons. We usually had peace of mind after listening to his medical explanation and guidance. In 2014, our house maid needed a surgery. The moment we mentioned it to Prof., he asked us to send her to him at Osogbo. He took care of the surgery and the medical bills. Back in his days at NIMR, my mum came to Lagos and we wanted to do a general medical examination for her in our family hospital. The moment Prof. heard about it, he asked us to bring her to NIMR for the medical examination, advising that it would be more thoroughly done over there. Not only did we get express service through his intervention, he also took care of the bills for the medical examination. In 2009, he was the chairman at my mum's 70th birthday celebration. Although he couldn't make her 80th birthday celebration this year, he made sure he spoke with her while we were at the reception. When it comes to caring for the needs of others, Dn. (Prof.) Adewole was always on duty, always willing to help!
May the God of all comforts calm, console and comfort the hearts of Dns. Keji Adewole (popularly called Mama Mission), Dokun & Deoye, the family members, the NHBC church family, his professional colleagues and Ede community in Jesus name. May He flood our hearts with His peace that passes all human understanding. May He grant us all the fortitude to bear this great loss and to forge ahead in faith. May He bring to pass all Dn. (Prof.) Adewole's heart's desires concerning his family and loved ones in Jesus name. Adieu Prof! Rest on in the bossom of your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.