By Olivia Obijiaku
The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Zaria, Most Rev. Dr. Habila Tyiakonaboi Daboh has described unprepared death as the greatest tragedy that can befall anyone. He made the assertion during the wake of one of his priests, Very Rev. Fr. Lawrence Bakut, at St Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Monday, June 22, 2026. The bishop who defined death as the doorway to eternity reminded the living that they too will join the departed priest, in the journey to eternity at any time.
His lordship affirmed that they do not mourn as people without faith, since their belief is centered on the death and the Resurrection of the Risen Lord. He then implored participants to learn from the demise of Fr. Bakut, who died in his sleep in the early hours of the morning, June 7, 2026 at the age of 65 and make the necessary amends, so that would be welcomed into eternal bliss at the end of their sojourn on earth.
“We shall face our own death when it comes.” The local ordinary told them. “Death is the doorway leading to eternity and eternity is the destination of each one of us. But the greatest tragedy that can befall anyone of us is to die unprepared. We are fortunate to know that we will die. And so, we have a privilege to work hard to prepare ourselves for that day. As we see him go before us, we shall join him sooner or later.”
“Tonight therefore, while we mourn our brother and our priest, we must allow his death to preach a unique homily to all of us. Every achievement, every position and every possession end here. All that remains is our relationship with God, our love, prayer and our fidelity, because on the last day, your relationship with your neighbour will count.”
Delivering the homily at the funeral Mass, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Archbishop of Jos and the chief celebrant, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Ishaya Audu said the sentiments about death are about the most difficult things to deal with, especially when they relate to loved ones, because, “When death strikes, we find it difficult to believe that we have no lasting sitting here on earth. All the same, may this solemn funeral Mass console us in this great grief and help us to accept God’s holy will, in Jesus Name I pray.”
Archbishop Audu, Fr. Bakut’s classmate consoled that though “our Christian faith faces its greatest challenge when our loved one dies, it is here that we must hold back on the resources of our Christian faith.” He added that despite the deceased sins, he impacted on Kaduna and Zaria dioceses, having given himself to the service of the Church in many areas.
The funeral Mass also had in attendance, the Archbishop of Kaduna and the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Man’Oso Ndagoso; the Bishops of Kano, Shendam and Kastina; Most Rev. Drs. John Namaza Niriying; Philip Devou Dung and Gerald Mamma Musa respectively, in addition to many priests, religious, lay faithful and people of other denominations.
