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Celebration galore at All Saints Anglican Church, Hyattsville, MD, USA for Late Clement Layinka Omidiran (CL) of Okemesi
 by Paul Olatoye

The best of Anglican Church songs were arranged from sober mood to celebratory ones. The opening hymn was My Times Are In Thy Hand and followed by Hark! Hark, My Soul! Angelic Songs Are Swelling, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, Happy Day That Fixed My Choice, Sleep on Beloved Sleep and Take Thy Rest and finally, Welcome Happy Morning.

 

It was celebration galore at All Saints Anglican Church, Hyattsville, MD, USA; a Church of Nigeria’s Mission in the USA for Late Pa. Clement Layinka Omidiran of Okemesi-Ekiti who died July 18, 2010.
 

The service of songs for one of Okemesi honorable citizen and a quintessential Omoluabi ever walked the streets of Okemesi took place on Saturday, October 2, 2010 within the Nigerian community of Convocation of Anglicans in North America, (CANA).

Ms. Mercy Kikelomo Omidran daughter of the deceased
and relatives
A retired teacher and leading organist at St. Michael Anglican Church, Okemesi-Ekiti State and popularly referred to as C.L. The service started with worship and praise songs and at other moments led by the grand children of a man who was a master organist himself. Late Pa. C.L. Omidiran must be smiling with the array of his beautiful grand children more talented than himself who bequeath the tradition of music to the family.

Officiating Clergies
The introduction was done by Ms. Kikelomo Omidiran and with a bitter sweet smile referring to the best father she ever knew by the nickname; Baba Omdy.

The best of Anglican Church songs were arranged from sober mood to celebratory ones. The opening hymn was My Times Are In Thy Hand and followed by Hark! Hark, My Soul! Angelic Songs Are Swelling, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, Happy Day That Fixed My Choice, Sleep on Beloved Sleep and Take Thy Rest and finally, Welcome Happy Morning.

Ms. Mercy Kikelomo Omidirandaughter of the deceased
and friends
There were testimonies to a life well spent during the eulogy and this was led by Mr. Yomi Omidiran. Yomi remembered moments in the family life when his father will storm out of bathroom with bathing soap on his body if he ever missed a note on the family organ. He said this painstaking for details one reason he is well ground in the art of music.

I am privileged to know four generations of Omidiran’s. When the father of Late Pa. C.L Omidiran died in late 50, I was one of the primary school boys who sang and danced through the streets of Okemesi celebrating his life at St Michael Anglican Church, Okemesi where he was the lay reader.

Yomi Omidiran, son of the deceased
at the Keyboard
The father of late Pa. C.L Omidiran was one of the pioneers who brought Christianity to Okemesi in the 30’s. Their leader, according to Okemesi history, is late Pa. Jonathan Oderinde who died when I was a baby. I grew up knowing some of these Christian soldiers such as late Elder C.A Omidiran and late Pa. Osundina since i was always on some kinds errand to these men from my late father, Pa.Samuel Olatoye.

Yomi Omidiran (son of the deceased) at the Keyboard
I have come to associate organ musical instrument with late Pa C.L Omidiran and my mother would wondered aloud if my mimicry of organ sound would render C.L jobless. Also, I remember him as sociable to younger people like myself in his low key voice to progressive causes. He once counsels me to be aware of “money sharers” in politics and how these consistently fritter away the people commonwealth.

Officiating Clergies
The services of songs was officiated by Venerable Dr. Dotun Adewunmi, Rector/Missioner; Mr. Adetola Shabi, Ordinand and Lady Dorcas Imasuen the Lay Reader. The celebration continues in to the evening and in attendance are Prof. Bolaji Aluko, Dr.Ayodele Mobolurin, representing Dr. Michael Kayode Oladimeji, and many other dignitaries.

Baba rere sun re.  
 

 

 

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