By Yinka Latona

Late Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode, Nigerian technocrat, administrator, was a shinning role model. A man of integrity, a technocrat and boardroom guru. Onosode was also deeply religious of the Baptist faith. He actually started the Good News Baptist Church, GNBC,  in his living room in 1984. The church today can boast of at least 2,000 membership.

Onosode

In a chat with Vanguard, some of his friends, son, colleagues, well wishers and church members  all said the late Onosode was a man of distinction.

My father left shoes too big for me – First son, Ese Onosode

“His death came as a surprise, although he was ill for quite sometime and I have prepared myself for the worst but when it happened I still couldn’t digest it, I thought he was going to live close to  his father’s  105 years  and I think he should at least make 90. Though he escaped death so many times but God had better plans for him. ‘’Two hours after his death, the hospital wanted to embalm him but I refused asking them to hold on thinking he would jump up.

“He was a loving sweet charming father, he had this personality that most people are drawn to, he is very humble, humorous, witty. There is not enough words to describe him. He was a jolly good fellow.

“He has left a very big shoe to fill but the beauty about this period is that I dedicated the last three years of his life to understanding him better, we set up a foundation which is based on improvising educational standard among young  Nigerians and other personal businesses.

“By God’s grace with the help of my siblings, his associates and loved ones, we will all step up our commitment to excellence, continue the good work, just like our father did when he was alive. We will try our best to represent him well,” Ese said.

He worked hard and lived well – Dr. Olayinka Gbajumo (former Health Officer, Western Region)

“We were together at University of Ibadan , the same year, same hall. He was a complete gentleman and easygoing and while we were together he tried to help anybody that came his way, he was a corporate, sincere, decent man. He lived his life compassionately because he has a compassion to everybody.

“Nigerians have missed a great leader, apart from his Christian background; he had an ambiance for everybody. It is left for us to emulate his way of life because he was a good mentor. Onosode was not greedy; he was content with whatever he had. ‘’If our leaders can emulate his character, our country will be a better place for all,’’ Dr Gbajumo said.

He was a committed child of God – Pastor Kayode Ilupeju of GNBC

“He was ordained a Baptist Deacon at Yaba Baptist church in 1966 where he left for New Estate Baptist church, NEBC where  he was the acting Pastor of the church for over three years and due to certain developments in NEBC, he reconsidered his membership of the church around January 1984 ‘’The first Wednesday after he left NEBC, he and his family held Wednesday service in his house and the first Sunday service was held on February 5, 1984 in his sitting room.

“Deacon Onosode was a truely committed child of God which he demonstrated throughout his lifetime, he knew God and he made himself available for God’s service throughout his life. “He did not live a double standard life either corporate and spiritual. He was upright and lived his life for the glory and praise of God. He was still rendering service to mankind despite his health challenges.

“He was formally a member of New Estate Baptist church Surulere before he started Good News Baptist church which was formally known as Adelabu Street Baptist Church in his living room,” Pastor Kayode said.

Deacon Onosode was a great mentor — First GNBC Secretary, Deacon Olatunji Bello

“Deacon Onosode was like an uncle and senior brother to me, I meet him in 1961 when he was living in Ogunlana Drive, I met him through his brother –in-law and from there we became  close friends and I began to look up to him as an elder brother from then till he passed away.

“Immediately he started the GNBC on the 1st of February, 1984, I was the first person outside the immediate family that he shared the thought of what God is asking him to do with. ‘’It is true that a group of people can start a Baptist church, so long they have the conviction of the Holy Spirit that He wants them to do that .

“The first Sunday service, I was there with my families and I became the first secretary of the church while he was the acting pastor of the church on February 5, 1984.” “He is a God fearing man; he lived a disciplined life, a great example and mentor to us. He had a great influence on those of us who were opportuned to be close to him either professionally, spiritually or socially.

‘’ He was someone you can rely upon to do what is right because he sought to do the will of God wherever or in whatever he intended doing,” Deacon Bello said.

Some of the messages in the condolence register

A perfect gentleman – Senator Oluremi Tinubu Papa was a perfect gentleman and I am honoured to have interacted with him during his life time. What a loss to the country. – Apostle Hayford Alile

Nigeria capital market will miss you for your wisdom and co-operative fellowship. I trust we miss you.  A great leader and Mentor – Dr. Christopher Kolade

What a great leader, father and mentor. You will be missed but we give all  the glory for your exemplary life, you are indeed a legacy. Baba was a practical book. – Rev. Dapo Asaju, Chief Protocol officer, Nigeria Baptist Convention

Baba was an ideal practical ‘book’ which inspired us: our God has imprinted in our hearts virtues of humility, integrity and industrious. A truly great man. – Pastor Ituah Ighodalo

He was the father of Investment and Banking – Mr. Oluwaseyi E. Abe of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers

Mr. Integrity who lived and died in integrity, Nigeria and Africa indeed has lost a rare gem. You lived an exemplary life that is worthy of emulation. We shall live for what you believe in.”