After 35 years Sister Ogunkorode bows out

Saturday, February 18, 2012 was indeed the day and time Rev. Sr. Agatha Olufunke Ogunkorode chose to rejoice and celebrate. Rev. Sr. Ogunkorode has many reasons to thank God. First, she clocked 56 years recently; second, she retired from the civil service after 35 years of active service and 25 years of religious profession as […]

Saturday, February 18, 2012 was indeed the day and time Rev. Sr. Agatha Olufunke Ogunkorode chose to rejoice and celebrate.

Rev. Sr. Ogunkorode has many reasons to thank God. First, she clocked 56 years recently; second, she retired from the civil service after 35 years of active service and 25 years of religious profession as a Sister of St Michael the Archangel (SSMA), a religious Order in the Catholic Church founded by Bishop Emeritus of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Most (Rev.) Dr. Michael Fagun.

On that day, friends, well wishers and the religious converged on St.  Michael’s Catholic Church, Opopogbooro, Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state to celebrate Rev. Sr. Ogunborode and thank God for the gift of life; a happy and successful public service period and for being alive to witness a solid quarter of a century as a consecrated religious servant in the Lord’s vineyard.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Michael Olusola Omojola, a formator at All Saints Major Seminary, Ekpoma, Delta state, said the celebrant had reasons to thank God especially marking her 56th birthday in a country where  life expectancy is just 47 years.

“Another reason for gathering is to thank God for the Grace he has given you to have a successful public service career. Thirty five years public service in Nigeria is a grace to have the privilege of a position of responsibility like you did in a tertiary institution in Nigeria where rumour has it that you have to do so many occult things and consult Babalawo, make sacrifices and even blackmail and destroy others is an enviable feat.

According to the homilist, three things-one’s birth, the education and the company one keeps define and shape the life of a person define and shape the life of a person.

“They help one to cultivate virtues, practice them and grow in them. They are also determinant of one’s behaviour, religious perception and general comportment in life. Therefore, if one behaves well and looks cultured, appreciate others, religious and well intentioned, to some certain degrees, these three things play pivotal roles.”

While commending Sr. Ogunkorode for her service, Rev. Fr. Omojola noted that the School of Nursing, Ado-Ekiti, headed by her witnessed physical development, educational excellence and moral growth during her tenure.

The clergyman said the fact that Rev. Sr. Ogunkorode retired after 35 years without blemish was an indication that it was possible for one to serve without embezzling public funds and live an enviable record to encourage others.

He also reminded those in the civil service that they are there to serve and not to be served adding, “if we all say no to corruption today, it will vanish from our midst and from high places.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye described Rev. Sr. Ogunkorode as dedicated and sincere adding that she did not engage in falsification of age in order to perpetuate herself in the civil service.

Sr. Ogunkorode was born into the family of late Pa and Mrs. Dominic Ogunkorode Fanimugbode, both of blessed memory, of the Asamo family of Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti. Her educational pursuit began from St. George’s Primary School, Ojido, Ado-Ekiti from where she proceeded to St. Louis Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti and thereafter, attended other higher institutions for various disciplines. Though the fire to become a religious run started in her at a very tender age, but became more manifest after she completed her training as a nurse in 1980 when she joined first, the Immaculate Heart Sisters, second, the Missionary of Faith Congregation before she finally pitched her tent with the SSMA. Since then, she has not looked back.