It’s has now dawn on me that my friend and brother Joshua Oluseyi Mekaron Amode, a former verger at the Anglican Communion, local government administrator and later turned politician has truly departed physically from us on Sunday the 13th day in the month of October 2024 and already interned on the 16th of the same month after being kept at the mortuary for three days. Joshua has gone peacefully to have an everlasting rest with his Maker, but before then, he had left for us his good character, kindness, exemplary life style, agape love and those fascinating smiles he was known for.
Frankly speaking, I have lost a good brother and dependable friend to the ugly and cold hands of death. I am devastated, shocked, dumbfounded and depressed with his sudden departure to a journey of no return without quickly saying goodbye to many of us. I never knew that the last time we met at Ogori would be our last physical meeting. But, I sincerely thank God for knowing you, you had impacted beautiful things and ideas into my life and I strongly have that assurance and consolation that you are already with the saints and also in the presence of God, the Creator of heaven and earth. I am highly relieved now as well cheerful about this. Joshua, it’s left for us your acquaintances to meet with you some days at the appointed time by God to be reunited with you.
This is a must journey for every mortal to embark upon while we co-exist in this world. You have paid your own due.
My friend died as a strong and dedicated Christian, he was a pillar at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, Ogori where served as a verger.
Late Joshua Oluseyi Mekaron Amode was an epitome of humility, love, excellence, diligence, courageous, integrity philanthropy, selflessness and always accepting to serve in any capacity.
I have lost a rare gem, Ogori his hometown has lost an illustrious son known for his community work. Surely, the sun has set with the demise of a gentleman. It is very difficult for me to come to terms with this unannounced departure by Joe, but God is in control.
Below is a concise bio-data and activities of Late Joshua Oluseyi Amode during his lifetime:
Hon. Amode Oluseyi mekaron Joshua hailed from Ogori, in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He was born into the well-known Amode family on the 17th day in the month of January, 1962.
He attended Zungeru College of Advance Studies in Niger State between 1984 and 1986, he was also a student at Bayero University Kano (BUK) where he bagged his first degree in Political Science in 1992.
Before obtaining his first degree, young Joshua taught briefly between 1982 and 1984 as an auxiliary teacher in Junior Secondary School, Sabon-Rami after completing his secondary school education.
In 1992 he undertook the mandatory national service popularly called NYSC, where he was posted to serve with the Nigeria Prison Service (now Correctional Service) in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and he performed exceedingly well.
After the national service, Joshua was employed as Education Officer by the Kogi State Teaching Service Commission in 1994. He worked under the Commission till the year 2000. He later in life served as a Special Adviser on Security and General Duties between 2006 and 2007 in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area under the leadership of his former executive chairman Hon. Dr Matthew Dada Keyi.
Honourable Amode in several ways developed himself in order to be more proficient at work. He attended several in-house seminars, conferences and workshops with various certificates obtained on personnel management and general administration.
He worked with the Unified Local Government Service of Kogi State as a Deputy Director Administrator in-charge of personnel management in Ogori-Magongo L.G.A.
Hon. Amode was an individual who had the genuine love and interest in helping and developing his community, Ogori, through various channels of support to the youths, widows, aged and the indigents. This he demonstrated clearly at all times the golden opportunities came his way.
Amode retired from service two years ago from Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area council and got actively involved in politics. Until his death last Sunday, he was a vice chairmanship candidate for this weekend local government election under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before his sudden death.
He got happily married and blessed with amazing children.
On a final note, I want to say on behalf of my family and friends, I sympathize with the immediate family, extended family, friends, Ogorians and the congregation at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Ogori over this great loss, please Joshua rest in peace! I ask God to rest your soul in perfect peace and grant you eternal rest. Bros Joshua, a dear friend, you will be sorely missed! Adieu!
This tribute is written by Felix Adejumo Udebu, the Publisher of TheReflection Newspaper, Lokoja, Kogi State to honour just a dear friend, Late Joshua Oluseyi Mekaron Amode, who is presently resting with his Creator.