My dad died twice, says ex-minister’s son

Femi, the son of the late former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, has said that his father died and came back to life, before he finally gave up the ghost on November 29.

Femi made this revelation during the service of songs organised in honour of his late father at the All Souls Anglican Church, Lekki, Lagos on Sunday.

In an emotion-laden voice, Femi narrated how his father spent his last days on earth and how his mother stood by him.

“If there should be an example to qualify the phrase ‘for better for worse’ in marriage, my mother is a perfect example. My father would not have lived for so long without my mum. She was there all through his trying times and she made sure he got the best treatment during those times.

He said, “My mother and I were there the day my father died the second time. Permit me to use the word a second time. While in the hospital room, the life support machine stopped, meaning he died. While my mum was still trying to come to terms with what was happening, the thing came up again.

“It was a miracle. We called the nurses to ask if they did anything to the machine and they said no. His final demise was like a second death but in all, we thank God.”

Earlier, colleagues and friends of the deceased had taken turns to pay tribute to the late Ashiru, who they all agreed was God-fearing, kind and hardworking.

The Vicar, Ven. Oludare Otoki, in his sermon, advised the congregation to always fear God.

He praised the late Ashiru, who according to him, lived a fulfilled life in the service of God and the nation. He urged the congregation to emulate him.

Ashiru died in a South African hospital after a long battle with a terminal disease said to be brain tumour on November 29. He was 66.

One of the deceased’s brothers, a professor of Anatomy/Consultant Reproductive Endocrinologist, Oladapo Ashiru, had described Ashiru as “one of the illustrious sons of Africa; a gentle soul; a gentle man to the core; an ambassador extra-ordinary, who rose to the peak of his career.”

He added that the family was proud of his performance when President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Punch Report