Baba buredi: Remembering Elder Matthew Ayinla

By Ishola Gbenga NIPR

First and foremost, I have decided to avoid any temptation of going into details of how the popularly name, "Baba Buredi Osere came to existence from decades. I do not have that liberty. That notwithstanding, haven known late Elder Matthew Ayinla for more than 16 years, and that doesn't mean I can lay claim to have been that close to him, I decided only to take it upon myself as an obligation to pen this tribute for him, which he, ordinarily would not request for during his lifetime but, which one is convinced he deserves now, and in years to come.

In many ways, Elder Matthew Ayinla’s journey is one of quiet strength, of a man who balances the demands of his career with an unshakeable devotion to God and his family. Even in the face of immense challenges of life, he continues to find joy in life, sharing his trademark smile with those around him. His story is not just about surviving but thriving amidst adversity, embodying a rare combination of grace, strength, and compassion that few can match.

Even in death, Baba stands as a signpost of what it means to live a life of purpose, love, and unyielding loyalty. His memories of modest lifestyle will continue to inspire through his work, his heart, and his unrelenting devotion to this around him without any iota of discrimination, through which he was able to carved a niche for himself through sheer sense of tolerance  and determination.

As it would turned out, the death story of Elder Matthew Ayinla, of Ayetoro Ile community, in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, got to me, and many others with rude shock. Reading through the news of his passage, my mind went back to the last ECWA, Elesinmeta Local Church Council (LCC) meeting we held together on Saturday, September 14, at Saint John school, Maraba, which he chaired as usual being our chairman till his death. During the meeting in question, I had noticed some premonitions in his submissions and, that came to mind the moment the news of his passage got me. I will come back to that shortly.

On Tuesday, 1st October 2024, Elder Matthew Ayinla, popularly known as Baba Buredi left this earthly prison house and transited to the great beyond, to tranquil heaven at the age of 85 at a time his fatherly leadership, love and wisdom are still needed. Little wonder, Thomas Campbell says, and he is right that “to live in the hearts of those we love is not to die”. Elder Matthew Ayinla lives on. His memory will endure, and his example stands out in terms of his great accomplishments, especially in the life of others.

Many would never forget the intervention of late Matthew Ayinla at a time ECWA Elesinmeta LCC was having some internal issues. Baba stepped in at the time and played his role. The most instructive of it all was my last meeting with him. It was on a Saturday, specifically, 14th September where we converged at Sainth John school, Maraba to hold our Local Church Council meeting. During the meeting, an issue had ensued, it was well managed though, but Elder Matthew Ayinla was able to get the issue settled amicably, after which he added "I want all of you to consider this intervention of mine as one of those sacrifices that you can always remember me for should in case I am no more here with you again". That statement was a strong premonition that would come to mind later the moment the news of the deat broke out. 

Meanwhile, one was not surprised with the deluge of testimonies that were given about a life well spent by the deceased. From the Osere community, family members, Ayetoro Ile community, his church, ECWA Osere to Elesinmeta LCC which I represented and spoke about Baba. However, the L.O ECWA Elesinmeta LCC, Rev Ekundayo put the whole testimonies in its real perspective by calling on the deceased children to strive and sustain the modest legacies of their late father as they are the only living structure to make the testimonies stand and last forever.

During his lifetime, Baba was always out there in the forefront of action, inspiring young both male and female. In the church and the community at large, in the process. His was a life of impact, love and influence to build others through extending the love of God to many. I am glad to be one of them.

In retrospect, Baba buredi was a lover of hymn, and one of his favourite Yoruba ECWA hymn which I learnt from him years back was:

"Pelu ayo, lao sise fun jesu...

Pelu ife loa fowo wa se... 

Ise yo wu ti oba yan fun wa... 

Lododo lao sise iranse wa...

Sise fun jesus...

Layo lao lo....

Layo lao lo....

Sise fun jesu

Ninu ogba re laye".

For me, and many others, Elder Matthew Ayinla lived not for the lyrics in that song, but exemplified the core messages that the song carries in heart, act and indeed which offered meaning to his existence as a true believer who truly servered God to the very end.

His late wife, Mrs. Ruth Ebun Matthew, was also a kind loving woman who also served God. She was during her lifetime, a wife and a mother to many. Her sense of hospitality was great. She would always want me to stay by and take, at least, a bottle of Coca-Cola should I decline eating any food whenever I come visiting. She loved everyone like her children, and that was her for you. Mama died on 1st June, 2020. May God rest her soul 

However, we are here today not to mourn Elder Matthew Ayinla, bearing in mind that his demise is to the heavens a great gain, but to appreciate a life of postive impact and celebrate his life of service to God and humanity. And to Almighty God, we say this with thanksgiving, by appreciating you God, for everything we treasure about Baba, for all that he means to us. Take care of him, Lord, until we all reach that time and place where every tear is dry, every question answered and all things are made new. Lord in your love, Hear our prayer. Amen.

Ishola Gbenga write from Elesinmeta, Ilorin Kwara State, and could be reached via isholagbenga@yahoo.com

04/10/2024