Ipogun community in Ifedore Local Government area of Ondo State was agog at the weekend as Pa. Israel Akinlade Asere (a.k.a Baba America)was laid to rest.

Pa Asere was the father of Acting Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Environment, Dr Olumide Asere.

The funeral ceremony held at Saint Jude Anglican Church, Ipogun had many dignitaries including Ondo State Governor represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Adviser, Dare Aragbaiye, Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sunday Akinwalere, APC Rep Candidate Akure South and North Federal Constituency, APC Chairman, Ade Adetimihin, Mr. Aderin Adesida, Mr. Fadairo. Permanent Secretaries, traditional rulers and host of other dignitaries in attendance.

Delivering his sermon, Venerable James Oyegbemi described the deceased as a true servant of God who dedicated his life to God. He said the attributes of the deceased have manifested in the lives of his children.

The cleric, who urged Nigerians to always impact the society positively, charged them to be passionate about the development of the society.

Speaking at the event, Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Sunday Akinwalere said “Baba while on earth was an excellent man and that can be seen in his son’s life Dr Olumide Asere and his siblings.

“From the personalities that graced the burial, Baba must be a man who used all his life to give his children good education due to his interest in education, he said.”

Adapogun of Ipogun, Oba Raphael Ojo described the deceased as an hospitable man who was patient and well contented with whatever he had.

The monarch urged the children to follow their father’s footsteps and to always contribute to the growth of the community.

Dr Olumide Asere in his remarks on behalf of his siblings described his father as their pillar who contributed not only to their success but to the entire human race

He said the vacuum created by the demise of his father would be difficult to fill, saying his father’s death was a great loss to them but has solace that his father has gone to meet the Lord

An Elder in the family Mr Oluyemi Asere described Baba as a lover of family, adding that his name would ever remain in the history of the family, Ipogun and Ile-Oluji Community as a whole.

Daughter in-law to the deceased, Mrs Racheal Asere described Baba as her own father, who was very jovial and down to earth.

Mr Akinterinwa Yinka Salad, a relative of the family said Baba was a confirmed family man, very creative and has contributed to his life which has enabled him to be travelling across globe adding that the whole family would missed him.

Mr Akinterinwa addressed him a scientist who had worked in diverse University in the foreign country and had impacted so much on the family including him.

One of the adopted sons of the deceased, Mr Bayo Iralepo described the deceased as his father, a good friend and a confidant who groomed him when he was young.

Grandson Rapheal Asere said they will really miss grandpa because he usually prayed and told them