IT was a gathering of crème de la crème in Nigeria as the remains of the late Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye were on Friday laid to rest after a funeral service.
Among the dignitaries that graced the funeral were Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, his Ondo counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, represented by his Deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo former Governor, Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi.
Others include Minister of Science and Technology, Olorunnibe Mamora, former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo, Prof. Tale Omole, Senators Opeyemi Bamidele, Olubunmi Adetumbi, Dayo Adeyeye, Hon. Femi Bamisile, politicians, and distinguished academia, among others.
Afuye, who presided over the assembly for three and half years, died of a heart attack on October 19, 2022, at the age of 66.
The late Speaker was brought into the church in a white casket at about 9.56 am and was accompanied by his Wife, Mrs. Titilayo, children, and family members.
The motorcade conveying the corpse began the procession with a long convoy of vehicles, at his residence located along Ikere-Ise road, which caused traffic snarl along Ado-Ikere-Akure way for over one hour.
The men of the Nigerian police Force and Federal Road Safety Corps, had a hectic day in controlling the vehicles due to the gridlock along that route.
Delivering his homily at the Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Oke’kere, Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Olusola Ajayi, said Afuye lived a fulfilled life.