By Olivia Obijiaku
The Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, Wusasa Zaria, Rev Fr. Patrick Adikwu Odeh has consoled the bereaved family and loved ones of late Dr. Solomon John Awulu in the hope of Resurrection. Delivering the homily during the Requiem Mass which was presided by Rev Fr. Augustine Isek, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Thursday, November 6, 2025, Fr. Odeh asserted that death is a reality that awaits everyone.
He acknowledged the tears and pains of those who are saddened by the sudden demise of the 53 old veterinary doctor, reminding them that death is not the end of a child of God, since they continue their journey to eternity.
His words, “This is not to deny the pains of today, about our brother, Dr. Solomon John Awulu, but to give meaning to it. Jesus reminds us that death is not the final chapter for a child of God, but a journey beyond the grave into the fullness of God’s Presence. Death is a reality. If not, Dr. Solomon would not have accepted to die now; the family would not have allowed him to go.”
“My dear brothers and sisters, death is a passage, not an end. It is a transition, not a termination. It is a homecoming for us as pilgrims. We believe that Dr. Solomon is with God. He has gone to a place, where there is no more mourning, no more sorrow. For a believer, death is not a threat. Christ has walked this road of death before us and replaced it with hope.”
Empathizing with the family, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Tijjani Ezekiel Danlami reminded everyone present of the inevitability of death, charging them to live lives that will guarantee them admittance into heaven.
A representative of the deceased parish, St Joseph’s Parish K-Vom, and workplace, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), both in Jos, Mr. Richard Ochole delivered the condolence messages of the Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Anthony K. Fevlo (SMA) and the Ag. Executive Director, Dr. Nicholas Nwankpa respectively. Ochole described Dr. Awulu as a dedicated Catholic and a dedicated staff of the institute, who was very interested in research and development. “We will surely miss him” he added.
In his vote of thanks, late Awulu’s younger brother Dr. David Awulu, though obviously in pains, thanked God for the gift of his elder brother who assumed the position of a father, after the demise of their father, late Mr. Stephen Abdullahi Awulu. He thanked everyone who identified with them during the period and prayed God to bless them, even as he expressed desires to maintain the bond he shared with his brother, with the bereaved wife and very young children.
