Samuel Babalola Olanrewaju’s demise is an unbearable emptiness' of grief. However, we don’t always understand God’s will. And sometimes to be honest, we don’t like His will when grief lands on our doorstep. Sam, As I fondly called him left this earthly prison house and transited to the great beyond to tranquil heaven at the relatively young age of 64. My heart bleeds for the Olanrewaju’s so well the utter agony and despair they must be going through following the sudden passing away of Samuel Babalola Olanrewaju. The 'bewilderment and confusion that accompanies the removal of someone so young from the world'. Thomas Camspbell says, and he was right, that “to live in the heart of those we love is not to die”. Samuel Olanrewaju lives on, his memory endures, and his examples stands out in terms of his great accomplishments. I often think that that is the worst part of all-being unable to help in any constructive way except to say constant prayers in the background & to try and surround the Olanrewaju’s with love & affection & concern. In one of those ironies of life that no one can explain, he was born in the month of October, and he died also in the same month, less than two weeks to his 64th birthday. I can't tell you how pleased & happy I am to have known Samuel Babalola Olanrewaju. He was such a great life-enhancer.

Dear Deacon Sam as I fondly called you. My Pastor, friend and mentor. My first encounter with you changed my perspective about pursuant of academic excellence for life. You are a true leader, a lover of God,a perfect family man. You loved God,humanity and your family. It is hard to acknowledge your demise but I have the assurance that you're resting with your maker. May Jehovah continues to give your family the fortitude to bear this great loss. We love you but God love you the most.

It is really challenging for me to write this tribute in respect of Finix Lola (Pastor Sam) who our friendship dates back over 4 decades and for more than 10 years as co-Pastors of RCCG.. You were always full of life and passion for whatever course you believe in. You demonstrated this when you gave your life to Christ such that you changed your surname to reflect your Christian belief and "temporarily" stepped down as a member of the Finix club because as at then we members of the club were not born-again Christians. We thanks God that now many of us are now Pastors. You always bring life to the WhatsApp platform with your contributions and jokes, this will sadly be missed by us all. As a member of Trustee of TSA the parish you Pastored till you went to meet with the Lord, you are full of enthusiasms and innovations to take the parish to grater heights, my prayer is that Pastor T and the team will continue with the legacies you left behind. The last time my wife and I saw you physically was last June when you attended special Praise Night organised by our Parish, never knew that will be the last time we meet in flesh. In August when you were on hospital bed, I had a virtual telephone conversation with you during which I congratulated you and Pastor T on being nominated for ordination as Full Pastor and AP respectively. I am consoled that the you fought the battle to the end and you are in a better place in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Adieu dear brother, friend and colleague. Rest in peace,