By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
Following the passage of one of the earliest architects Ogori community in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State has ever produced, Rev. Solomon Durojaiye Balosibina, more facts have emerged on his 68-year-old sojourn on earth.
Stonix News had earlier reported that the Abuja-based cleric at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Nigeria, passed on Saturday February 12, 2022, at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.
Rev. Balosibina was the first of six children of Pa and Mama David Arogunmasa of Enibe of Enidede Quarters of Ogori.
His late father, Pa Arogunmasa, was the people’s readily-available, generous, herbal doctor, whose dexterity in the indigenous medical art, saved many lives for ages in the community of education-hungry intellectuals.
Youngest brother of the deceased, Pharm. Osieyih Oseborega, who had earlier spoken with Stonix News on Monday, had confirmed the incident.
The Abuja-based Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Esoma Pharmaceutical Ltd had said burial arrangements of the deceased would be made public in no time.
In a statement electronically signed by the immediate younger brother of the deceased, Mr Sunday Ezekiel Osafaron Arogunmasa and obtained by Stonix News, the family expressed grief at the sudden passage of the man of God.
The statement, which was released by Mr Arogunmasa, a former bank manager, detailing the profile of the deceased, is reproduced below in readable subtitles:
We lost a gem – Family
With heavy hearts but with total submission to the will of God, we announce the passage to glory of our brother, father, friend and Grand Father, Arc. Rev. Solomon Balosibina which sad event happened on the 12th of February, 2022 at the National Hospital Abuja after a brief illness.
Biography of the deceased
Born on the 23rd of March 1954, Rev Balosibina was 68 years of age and he was the first born of Pa and Grandma David Arogunmasa of Enibe, Ogori.
From St. Peter’s Primary School Ogori, Solomon Balosibina gained admission in 1968 to St. Barnabas Secondary School, Kabba for his Junior Secondary Education.
He had his Senior Secondary Education at the Government Technical Training School (GTTS), Idah, Kogi State (former Benue State, where he obtained a Distinction in Cabinet Making.
He was a member of the Pioneer set of Architecture students at the prestigious Kwara State College of Technology popularly called KWARATECH where he finished with top honours.
Spiritual sojourn
He was a devout member of the KWARATECH Christian Fellowship where he cemented his friendship with his classmates and other brethren, which included the eminent Bishop, Dr. David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, Rev. Bola Arowolo and Rev. Samson Eseyin, among many others.
He was also a prominent member of the Fellowship Of Ogori Christian Youths under the able leadership of the renowned linguist, late Professor Efurosibina Adegbija and his own Senior Sister, Prof. Mrs V.M Adegbija, both of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
Secular work experience
Before venturing into full-time ministry, Rev. Balosibina worked as an Architect with Pyramid Associates, Ilorin under Arc. Ogunniyi. He also worked at Habitat Associates, Kaduna, where he met his wife, Mummy Deborah Taiye Balosibina (nee Onoba).
Solomon Balosibina was a gifted Architect and worked on several projects foremost of which was the Presidential Lodge where he was also one of the Supervising Architects at Abuja for Habitat Associates. This was at a time that the only accommodation available to them was a ‘PORTER CABIN’.
He, thereafter, moved over to the Kaduna Furniture Factory Company (KFFC) as a Design Architect. He later became Managing Director of another prominent Furniture Company belonging to the foremost Arc. Inalegwu Ella and Arc. MT Waziri in Kano.
Armed with the wealth of experience he had garnered in the practice of Architecture and Furniture Making and Design, he floated his own brand and went full blast into the production of household furniture, doors and drawing boards. He was a versatile Architect who loved travels.
He was a trailblazer in the use of novel materials and fabrics for furniture making.
Socio-cultural tastes
Rev. Balosibina was beloved of his peers and he proudly adorned the expensive native attires of his forebears with relish during the annual Ovia-Osese festival at Ogori.
Solomon, the ‘Herbal Christian’
His friends jocularly referred to him as, ‘the Christian Herbalist.’ it’s remarkable to aver that Solomon Balosibina’s father, Baba David Arogunmasa, was a a prominent Cocoa farmer and community traditional healthcare giver, who selflessly offered his God-given services to the whole community with palpable empathy, love and tender care.
As a young lad at Ogori, therefore, Solomon Balosibina had a good grasp of local remedies for various ailments from his late father. This knowledge played a major role in
his founding of the Esoma Herbal Research Institute and Esoma Herbals Ltd from where he produced many remedies, including the household product, ESOMARON capsules and Solamin (Anti-Sickling Agent).
His remedies are world-acclaimed and have obtained various levels of certification and approval from the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRID) and other world regulatory bodies. Some of his remedies are still undergoing tests in acclaimed laboratories around the world.
Our Consolation
Rev. Solomon Balosibina is survived by a centenarian aged mother, caring siblings, a united church and a loving family of wife, children and grandchildren.
We love him, we will miss him, but we are consoled by the fact that he died in dedicated service to the Lord and we will meet him again on the Resurrection Morning. Adieu, Solomon Durojaiye Balosibina Arogunmasa-Ogben, beloved brother and Servant of the Most High God.
