Punch publisher, Wale Aboderin, laid to rest 

Amidst encomium, songs and psalms, the remains of the late Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, Wale Aboderin, were laid to rest yesterday.The funeral rites started with a wake-keep on Thursday, June 14, at Haven Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, followed by service of songs.

There were tributes and testimonies by friends, colleagues and family members for a life adjudged to be well-lived, purposeful and full of impart.Exhorting attendees at the funeral service held at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Rev. James Olusola Odedeji charged the family to be of good courage, knowing that God never leaves His own.He said: “Look up to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Even if you walk through fire, He will be with you.”He charged friends and family members of Aboderin to be conscious of the kind of life they live, as “death can come to anybody, anytime. Be prepared at all times.”

A media veteran, Ray Ekpu, described the death of Aboderin as a huge loss to the industry and Nigeria as a whole.Dignitaries at the funeral service include former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro, who represented All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Publishers of ThisDay newspapers and Ovation magazine, Nduka Obaigbena and Dele Momodu, respectively; Senior Pastor, Trinity Church, Itua Ighodalo; renowned accountant, Chief J.K. Randle, among others.

Aboderin, who died on Wednesday, May 30, this year, was born on April 17, 1958, in London, United Kingdom and is survived by wife, mother and children.He attended Corona Schools in Apapa and Ikoyi, Lagos, after which he proceeded to Government College, Ibadan (GCI), as well as School of Aviation, Zaria and later, Burnside-Ott Flying School, Florida, United States (US).

A basketball enthusiast, he started basketball coaching with high school female and male players in Norland High, Miami, Florida.He was appointed a member of the Board of Directors on May 21, 1984 and became the chairman of Punch on April 30, 2011.