By Adama Amahiri
Founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries Mike Bamiloye has shared memories of his final moments with gospel film actor and producer Korede Are, also known as Baba Gbenro, who died on Thursday.
In a Facebook post, Bamiloye paid tribute to the gospel actor saying, “Dr. Korede Are has gone home to rest! When a person has laboured during the day in office, he would go home after work to go and rest. Dr. Korede Are has gone home to rest after finishing his work in the office. Our Employer in this Vineyard is Jesus Christ. He alone knows our Closing Time at work.”
Reflecting on the loss, Bamiloye continued, “My Closing Time at work is different from your Closing Time at work. But only Jesus Christ, our Employer, knows when to tell us: It is closing time. Baba Korede Are, a hard-working Vineyard worker, has closed for the day. His Master told him: It is timeto close from work.”
The gospel actor revealed that they were filming together for the eighth season of Abejoye when Korede received his “final call.”
He added that the deceased was also part of the film Abattoir 5, another project he did not complete.
Reflecting on the dedication of his late colleague, Bamiloye said, “Baba Korede is a very highly dedicated Man of God, a humble drama minister. But he has finished his portion of work. He has gone honestly to rest from series of Movie Shoots and learning of many lines.”
He recounted his last phone conversation with Korede who was being taken to the hospital. “He said, ‘Please, greet my friend for me. Please, Daddy, I will be well, don’t let this discourage you from calling me on film Location o!’ He didn’t know he had shot his last movie and had gone on his last Movie Location,” Bamiloye recalled.
He concluded the tribute with a message of hope, “WE did not lose him o, No! Heaven has gained him. He has gone to rest. He died here and woke up there eternally.”
Bamiloye’s wife, Gloria Bamiloye also paid tribute to Korede on her Instagram page on Friday.
She wrote, “A great man of God has gone to glory. Adieu Daddy Moses Korede Are. You will be so much missed, but we have solace in where you are right now. You have finally seen the Lord Jesus you loved and served passionately. To God alone be glory forever. We will still see you in glory in Jesus name and then, action continues. We love you, and may God keep us all to the end.”
Korede Are died at the age of 65 after a prolonged battle with liver disease.
