Chief Amos Olarinde Moronkeji came 136 years ago, saw and conquered before he laid down the sword on 29th July, 2015 at Iragbiji, an ancient settlement in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, South West Nigeria.
Moronkeji was a pagan by birth in 1879, but his father, the Late Moronkeji Alabi, an idol worshipper, willingly gave him the approval to become a Christian in 1914 through the Church Missionary Society, CMS. Since then, he never looked back, and by 1924, he joined the Baptist denomination and was later baptised before he adopted the name: Amos.
Moronkeji got married after over fifty years because no idol worshipper in the town was willing to give his daughter to the new convert, until 1938 when the Late Ojuolape Dada ‘damned the consequence’ and married him.
The deceased was also an astute politician in the First Republic under the Action Group-led by the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Moronkeji later contested in the general elections and emerged the “King Councillor” for his Ward 1 in Iragbiji. Aside this, he was also a member of the Tax Assessment Committee of the old Ifelodun District Council, which the community said led to the “development and transformation” of the town.
Speaking at Moronkeji’s funeral service held at First Baptist Church, Iragbiji, on Saturday, Reverend M.A. Olusina, Chairman, Osun Baptist Conference; described the departed as a man who sought the Lord throughout his life.
Rev Olusina however said death has no favouritism for anyone; stating that if anyone dies in the physical world without Jesus, the person will end up in eternal pain. He said Jesus Christ alone is the only one that can free people from everlasting death.
His words: “Your refusal to accept Jesus Christ as your saviour is the only thing that can separate you from eternity. If you die without Christ, then, you will be separated permanently. We must make sure nothing separates us from the Saviour because nothing can stop us from physical death. It will be bad if after the physical death we have to die the second time.”
Moronkeji was survived by his remaining wife, Monilola; children and grand children. Among the dignitaries present at the funeral service are: Pastor Olagunoye Erogun, Pastor-in-Charge, Lagos Province 42, The Redeemed Christian Church of God; Rev. S.A Idowu, the host Pastor; Rev. S.O. Oluwoye of Precious Baptist Church, Iwo; and Rev. E.K. Alabi of Molete Baptist Church, Ibadan. 