He was one of our senior colleagues in the Ibadan Varsity Christian Union (IVCU), called in from time to time to preach and teach in the fellowship. He was a professor of veterinary medicine, but he lived like a peasant for JESUS. He had no air of pomposity around him whatsoever, despite the fact that he became a professor at a relatively early age; a brilliant scholar and lecturer of no mean stature at the University of Ibadan (UI).
Like his Lord, JESUS CHRIST, Prof was a man of ‘no reputation.’ He had few possessions and lived contentedly. He condescended to men of low estates, never setting his mind on high things, but walked in the light of Romans 12:9-21. It was only when he died at 48, that many he had evangelized at Abadina (a community in UI where junior workers: cleaners, gardeners, messengers, etc., live) got to know that he was a Prof. He blended in with them, becoming like them, according to Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, “to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”
That was Professor Gbola Durojaiye for you.
I’m so glad I knew him as a student in UI, between 1990 and ’95. He joined the Saints Triumphant in ’95, just before my final exams. I lost all impetus to read thereafter. Brethren, colleagues, and students (including Moslems) wept! A good man had gone! “LORD, why?!” Many of us asked? Then the Comforter gave me Isaiah 57:1-2, “The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; Merciful (good) men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace; They shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.”
That settled it for me. It was at his Wake-keep/Service of Songs that I heard the Abadina residents testify of his love and humility, that they didn’t even know he was a professor until his homecall was announced. He often sat with them on weekends, in their low-income community, to preach JESUS CHRIST. What a man! What a different Christian academician!
I’m totally miffed when I see my Christian brethren carry titles (academic and spiritual) on their heads as if it opens the door into heaven. ‘Wetin?!!’ I’m of the eternal opinion that a Christian should be silent about whatever title he/she is awarded (has earned) in whatever Field of endeavor – spiritual or secular. How shall the world differentiate between us and others if we also jostle and brag over titles? LOVE and HUMILITY should be the hallmark of a Christian, but both are grossly lacking in most believers of today. What is wrong with us?! Stop and think for a while! How are you different from that unbelieving neighbor, colleague, or friend? If the same thing that wows them wows you, and you live and pride yourself just like they do, how are you different?
Prof. Durojaiye and I hardly ever said anything to each other one on one, but he remains one of the biggest CHRISTIAN INFLUENCERS I ever encountered in my Walk with the LORD, and I’m eternally grateful to GOD to have known him. I wrote my first book in 1997, and dedicated it to his memory. Last Wednesday, at my June 12 THANKSGIVING and APPRECIATION Service, he was one of those I honored and appreciated. Walk humbly, simply and ‘JESUSly’, if you be a Christian indeed! This air of pomposity and arrogance around many of us must give way to CHRIST’S Humility o!
Selah!
Have a MENmorable Service.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY.
DA