Family holds late Jonah memorial service at 20 as Sen Yaroe calls for unity
In order to honour the good legacy left behind for the benefit of humanity, the family of the late Jonah Wesley Eliel has convened 20 Year Memorial Service as part of the activities, with a commitment to install seventy (70) solar panels and plant three thousand (3,000) trees across Yandang communities in Adamawa and Taraba States.
According to the family, the head of the house lived a fruitful life, rendered selfless service to humanity in his quest to making the society better for all and sundry. Hence, the decision to honour him and toe his path to enable them put smiles on the faces of people.
The 20 Years Memorial Service, which was held at the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) at Dapanti village in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area (LGA) on Sunday, attracted highly reputable personalities within and outside Adamawa and Taraba States.
Senator representing Adamawa Southern Senatorial District, Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe, who described the late Jonah Wesley Eliel as a brother and true friend, said that the humility, down-to-earth nature and hard work being exhibited by Baba Jonah when he was alive is worthy of emulation.
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Sharing his life-experience with the congregation, Senator Binos recalled, “Years on, we remember, with gratitude to God, the life and times of late Mr Jonah Wesley Eliel, who was more than a brother and a friend to me. His late mother, Mama Damaris Dayo Eliel, was immediate junior sister to my late mother, Mama Saratu Dayo Dauda. They were age mates but of different mothers. Jonah and I were therefore first cousins.
“As I stated during the burial of our maternal uncle, Jauro Siman Bello Dayo on 1st May 2025 in Wagole, I am the second grand child of the late Jauro Dayo Banjomi, while Jonah and I were separated in birth by just one month and a day; I on 1st January 1955 and he on 2nd February 1955.
“Jonah was everything and more that one needs in a brother and a friend. When we were growing up in Secondary School/ University in the 1970s, his ‘Hippie Lodge’ in Kudaku was our ready abode anytime we visited Gorobi. When my father, Malam Dauda Yaroe died on a Sunday in February 2005 while I was working with the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Lagos, Jonah was the one who broke the sad news to me.
“He was the one that took charge of everything: conveying the corpse to the morgue of a private hospital in Yola, procuring the casket, arranging for the final resting place and taking care of other sundry funeral requirements. When our Uncle Jauro Siman Bello Dayo died on February 25th April 2025, I could not help but feel that were Jonah to be alive, he and I would shoulder the responsibilities of burying our Uncle with dignity.
“But Jonah did not leave a void. His son Yilung, a chip of the old block, stepped forward and fully supported the burial of Jauro Siman Dayo. As we continue to treasure the fond memories of Jonah Wesley Eliel, our thoughts go to his wife and children. Your husband and father lived an exemplary life which you can be proud of. His legacies can be appreciated only through you. You therefore have a responsibility to maintain and surpass his standards. God helping you”.
Senator Binos used the medium to call on the youth to unite themselves and engage in meaningful adventures to enable them become useful to themselves, their families and the society as a whole.
Also speaking, the Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN), His Lordship, Most Rev. Musa Panti Filibus, said that the struggle by the late Jonah Wesley Eliel to unite the inhabitants of Dapanti village and its surrounding communities was a legacy worthy of emulation.
The man of God pointed out that it is better to leave a good name than acquiring wealth, adding that a good name is better than riches.
In his words, “As we live in this world, our major focus should be leaving a good name when we are gone. Today, we are remembering Baba Jonah Wesley Eliel because he left a good name. Let people testify good things about you.
“Legacy is not built in a day or week; it is a continuous process of living a good life. No matter how wealthy you are, you cannot buy a good name. It is not bought; it is earned. In your day-to-day activities, try to live upright for posterity to appreciate”.
A renowned female politician and sister to the late Jonah Wesley Eliel, Princess Elie Solomon, recalled how her late brother groomed her to become who she is today.
She noted, “I am who I am today because of my late brother, Jonah Wesley Eliel. He was the one who encouraged me to go to school even when I was frightened. He became my pillar, and I am forever grateful to him”.
In his vote of thanks, son to the late Jonah Wesley Eliel, Mr Yilung Jonah Wesley Eliel, said that as part of activities to honour the good legacy of his father, the family decided to embark on some people-centred projects such as installation of seventy (70) power solar panels and plant three thousand (3,000) trees across Yandang communities in Adamawa and Taraba States.
While thanking the dignitaries including the Adamawa State Commissioner of Police; CP Dankombo Morris, Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe, top government officials and traditional rulers across districts and wards in Mayo-Belwa LGA for honouring the invitation, Yilung expressed how gratitude the family was that such high personalities could grace the occasion.
Mrs Musa Panti Filibus, Alh. Ataka Shuaibu, Alh. Musa Dogo and other dignitaries at the event, described the late Jonah Wesley Eliel as a good man who loved promoting peaceful coexistence among his people.
Highlights of the Memorial Service were presentation of songs by the Women Fellowship, Lutheran Youth Band (LYB) and New Life For All Singers as the Boys Bridget (BB) ushered in the Service.
