Baptist Youths President, Francis Bakut Buried Amidst Tears

Jide Afolabi, Jos

The National President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference, NBCYC, Brother Francis Bakut has been buried in Kaduna yesterday amidst tears by family members, friends, Baptist members, Christian faithfuls and other sympathisers.

Bakut was buried at Kabala-Doki Cemetery beside Nigerian Customs Service Zonal headquarters Zone ‘B’ in Kaduna, Kaduna state in a funeral ceremony presided over by Revd. Dr. Supo Ayokunle, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who also doubles as the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC.

Late Francis Illiya Bakut

In a funeral service earlier held at Albarka Fellowship Baptist Church, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, various dignitaries paid glowing tribute to the fallen soldier of Christ.

In his sermon titled “Hope of eternity that reduces the pain of separation”, Supo Ayokunle said, ” Francis should have buried me. As a mark of honour, I have to be here today to give honour to whom honour is due”.

He warned that no one should attribute his death to anybody noting that it is a sin to do so. He said God gives and takes at its own time.

He said that when a person is useful and you lose him, you have a great sense of loss. “We felt it the more because of his tender age and usefulness to the Lord”, he stated.

Commenting on Bakut’s character, Ayokunle said, “Bakut was a stabilizing factor between the youth organisation, youth department and the Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC. How can such a soldier fall and we wouldn’t feel it?”. He said Bakut was courteous, sensible and polite.

The CAN President summoned the congregation to be prepared because the eternity can be at anytime, stating that the call to appear before the judgement of Christ is certain and a reality. He urged Christians to labour for the Lord and invest in kingdom business just as Bakut did till his death.

There were special rendition by NBCYC executive members which Bakut led till his untimely death, his Church choir, Women Missionary Union choir and his wife, Mrs. Mary Francis Bakut.

Bakut born 38 years ago attended L.E.A. Primary School, Kabala Costain and Sardauna Memorial College for his primary and secondary education respectively. He obtained National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Business Administration from Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria. He later obtained a Proficiency Certificate from the Nigerian Institute of Management.

Bakut was a devoted Christian and member of First Baptist Church, Kabala Doki, Kaduna where he served as youth leader faithfully. He was a former President of Central Baptist Association, Kaduna Baptist Conference and until his death in the line of duty on Monday, he was the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference.

Dignitaries at the funeral ceremony included the CAN/NBC President, Revd. Dr. Supo Ayokunle, Director of Youths and Students Ministries of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Revd. Dr. S.A.K. Olaleye, President of the Kaduna Baptist Conference, Revd. Joshua Dauda Amangwai and President of Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna, Revd. Dr. Reuben Ishaya Chuga.

Others are Revd. Dr. Israel Akanji, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Area II Garki, Abuja, Revd. Ashafa Emmanuel Ishaku, First Baptist Church, Kabala-Doki, Kaduna, Revd. Yusuf Gwada, Ministerial, Kaduna Baptist Conference, Revd. Joseph John Hayap of the Global Peace Foundation, Nigeria and Mrs. Ojieh Ochuko, Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference Vice President 1 among others.

Bakut was survived by his wife, Mrs Mary Francis Bakut whom he married in 2013, aged father, six sisters, close relations and the youths of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.