Family, associates pay tribute to Bamgbola, former Lagos CAN chairman

The family and associates of Alexander Bamgbola have paid tributes to the former chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos state chapter, who died on January 30.

Bamgbola died in the United States at the age of 77 after a brief illness. He was the chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Lagos state from 2010 to 2014.

Speaking during a tribute service at the Chapel of Christ the Light in Alausa, Lagos state, on Tuesday, Stephen Adegbite, bishop of the Methodist Church, Ikeja, and CAN chairman in Lagos, commended Adegbola’s exemplary life, describing him as a strong man of faith.

The bishop also enjoined the congregation to remember that death is a definite phase in the life of every human, while he urged them to also live to impact a good legacy while on earth.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, who was represented at the event, also paid a glowing tribute to the deceased cleric. He also described Bamgbola as an ambassador of Christendom. Ibijoke, the governor’s wife, was also in attendance.

David Bamgbola said his late father was a man of the people who puts the interest of others first. He described his father as a classy man in style and demeanor.

“Dad, thank you for leading by example and showing me how to live a life as a true follower of Christ. You have taught me the true meaning of being a servant leader, a man whose primary focus is on heaven and not the vanities of life. You have run the race of life, fought the good fight of faith and you have won,” David said.

In his tribute, Ituah Ighodalo, senior pastor at Trinity House, described Bamgbola as a true gentleman and thorough-bred professional whose exploits in Christendom will forever be remembered.

John Osa-Oni, archbishop of Vineyard Christian Ministries, noted that the late Christain leader was humble and selfless. He said Bamgbola led a glorious life by all standards.

“Before his entry into the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, he had reached the pinnacle of the corporate world as an accomplished investment banker. Also in the kingdom, he rose to the very top, yet he never put on air as one who had accomplished anything of note,” the archbishop said.

Mike Igbokwe, a senior advocate of Nigeria, said the late cleric was a spiritual leader who dedicated his life to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and serving the people of God.

“His passion for evangelism, teaching, and nurturing people in their faith journey was truly inspiring, and his legacy continues to touch the lives of many,” Igbokwe said.

“Apostle Bamgbola was a true servant of God who lived a life of humility, integrity, honesty, transparency, selfless service, and devotion to the lord. He was a gifted teacher and preacher of the word whose teachings were incisive and inspiring.”

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Alexander Oyewole Adegbola was born on February 2, 1946, into the Bamgbola royal family of Igbo-Owu in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara state. His parents gave him an early education. He had primary and secondary education in the then-western region of Nigeria in the early fifties and sixties. After his secondary education, he began a banking career at the then Barclays Bank DCo in Lagos.

He proceeded to the US to obtain his college education. In 1975, he set an academic record at his alma mater at the University of Illinois in Chicago by obtaining two degrees concurrently in finance and marketing with distinction.

In 1999, Bamgbola founded Zion the City of the Lord Ministries. Until November 8, 2015, he was married to his wife, Grace Obiageli Bamgbola of blessed memory for almost forty years. They were blessed with four children and ten grandchildren. On February 9, 2019, he married Clara Adenike.