It was a plethora of tributes as the Nigeria Commendation and Tribute Service were held in honour of the former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, who died on the 30th of January, 2023 at 77.
The Tribute was held at the Chapel of Light, Alausa where families, friends, and church leaders gathered to celebrate Apostle Bamgbola who was fondly called God’s General.
Bamgbola was an accomplished investment banker and later founded Zion Ministry, The City of The Lord Ministries. He became the Lagos State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Lagos State Chairman of CAN.
Present at the event were The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by the Special Adviser on Christians and Muslim Matters, Rev Bukola Odeleke; Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; the General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, represented by Pastor Adebayo Oyeyemi; National Vice President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN), Archbishop John Adebayo Osa-Oni; the Lagos State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Stephen Adegbite; a corporate icon and one of the foremost member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Mr Felix Ohiwerei, among others guest grace the occasion.
Sanwo-Olu described Apostle Bamgbola as a statesman, brave, fearless man, and a great leader who spent his entire life for the church. He is a man of truth, a bridge builder who lived a fulfilled life, worthy of emulation.
Sanwo-Olu said “tear is sometimes an inappropriate response to death when a life has been lived honestly and successfully, the correct response to that punctuation mark is a smile. Apostle Bamgbola lived an honest and completely successful life. He has left the world a better place, we remember him with a smile.”
Pastor Kumuyi, on his part, said “I received with deep sadness and profound sense of loss, the news of the passing of the immediate chairman of CAN, Lagos State, Apostle Alex Bamgbola. As grieved as we are about this event, we are greatly consoled by the fact that Apostles Bamgbola lived and laboured gallantly for the Lord and finished his course gloriously.”
Kumuyi further said that His affable and munificent life’s contribution to the edification and unity of the body of Christ will remain a worthy legacy.
Osa-Oni also described Apostle Bamgbola as an Apostle who was transgenerational in his approach to leadership and mentorship, many young and old ministers alike will attest to his deep-reaching love and honour for all.
“We shall cherish the memories of his great impact on the body of Christ in Nigeria and the globe at large,” he said.
The CAN Chairman, Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, said that CAN in the Southwest will never forget him and the National CAN will always celebrate Apostle Bamgbola tenancy and candour.
Adegbite said “You are a trailblazer and seasoned preacher with balanced theology. The way you resolved the crisis at the national CAN was something else. We will still talk about it till tomorrow.
Also speaking, Elder Oheiewei said that Bamgbola was dutiful, prayerful, and loving, saying the Lord showed kindness through him and made all of his prophecies come through.