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Tag: Ekiti

  • My visit to Ekiti State Teaching Hospital

    Humpty-Dumpty, me that is, had a great fall. It happened on a wet Sunday evening when we arrived home after a visit to Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort in Ikogosi, Ekiti. Just as I was walking into the house on this wet Sunday evening, I slipped and fell in the mud and landed my whole weight on my butt rather loudly. Humpty Dumpty just had a great fall. I got up picked my pieces together and walked into the house without the aid of the king’s horsemen. A warm shower and some analgesic later, I forgot about the fall until Monday morning when I was riding to work. It became obvious to me that I needed to see a doctor as soon as possible.

    Everyone I asked advised me to go to Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Adebayo in Ado Ekiti. It only made sense to then go and try seeing an orthopaedic doctor at the teaching hospital. I tried to get a number of a doctor or any senior member of staff at the hospital so I could get a fast track service when I get there. However everyone I approached told me there was no need for that. The refrain I kept hearing is, once you get there you will be attended to regardless. After a long listless night I got up early in the morning determined to go see a doctor while preparing myself for the long horrendous queues and delays associated with government owned hospitals. Again, I reached out to a couple of other friends on my way to the hospital, in a last minute attempt to get a name or a number of a doctor or influential hospital staff but drew nothing.

    On arrival at the hospital I went straight to the Accident and Emergency ward. What first struck me was the cleanliness; the whole place smelt and looked clean. I saw patients who were on admission and the doctors doing ward rounds. I approached one of the nurses on duty, explained to her my mission and asked to see a doctor. She directed me to one of the doctors in the Accident and Emergency ward who politely directed me to the outpatient department where he said I will be attended to. My natural impulse was to just leave the hospital and go to the court premises where I needed to attend to some issues but then the pain got the better of me. I found my way to the outpatient department. On the way there I met a young doctor who gave me directions and assured me the process was fast when I asked sceptically how long the process was going to take. I got a hospital card and a case note opened for me in about twenty minutes. It took four simple steps: get a bill, pay at the cash point, get your teller converted to a receipt and get your records taken at the medical health records desk.

    I asked the young man at the records registry if it was advisable to wait or try and come back some other day. He again confidently told me that I will be attended to in a matter of minutes. I stood by the side patiently as I could not bear the pain of trying to sit while I mentally took note of the people who I met waiting and those who arrived after me. I was also trying to see if there were some patients getting fast track access to the three consulting rooms. Three nurses sat at the nursing station. Two were taking vital signs while the third nurse was in charge of sending in case notes to the consulting rooms. In about 15 minutes I was called to get my vital signs taken. I again asked the nursing sister if it was better to come back later in the day but she urged me to be patient, saying that once the doctors start seeing patients it would be my turn in no time. I finally sat back and continued to watch. The patient’s line to see the doctor soon started moving fast. It was soon my turn to see the doctor who examined me and answered all my questions while explaining to me why the effect of the trauma was worse when I sat or climbed the stairs and why he was prescribing the pills for me. I left his consulting room feeling better.

    Next was the outpatient pharmacy department where I was I spent about half an hour, the longest time I spent at a service point. The fact that no money exchange happens between patients and members of staff is also commendable. The cash point is manned by representatives of the hospital’s bankers while a staff also recorded the transaction. At the time I began the process of registration and getting a case note, no doctor was on duty at the outpatient department even though patients were already waiting. By time the nurses had taken my vital signs some of the people I met were already getting impatient and loudly asked the nurses when the doctors would arrive. However, the time between getting my vitals taken and walking into the doctor’s consulting room was about 20 minutes. In all I spent a little over one hour at the hospital. This is not to say that the State Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti is perfect.

    I write only about my experience at the outpatient department and not the entire hospital. There is always room for improvement even in a near perfect system. The process of getting a prescription filled was a bit cumbersome; you get your prescription billed, pay your bill in the next room, get the teller converted to a receipt and you then pick up your prescription from the first point where you got the bill. The medical health records department is a disaster waiting to happen. The whole unit is swarmed and overflowing with files and more files. The people working there must have a magic spell for getting out patients files from that maze. There is no privacy at the medical records unit. You stand across a counter while you are asked your age and that of your next of kin. The members of staff there seemed over worked even though there was clear cut division of labour.

    Overall, the members of staff were all very businesslike and professional. I didn’t see any fast track patient or queue jumping by patients. Everyone sat patiently while we all waited to take our turn. There were enough chairs and benches for the patients. The television at the corner by the nurses’ station was tuned to Africa Magic Yoruba. Some of the patients were following the movies such that they didn’t hear their names called out when it was time to go in and see the doctor. No one asked me to grease their palm or wash their face before I was attended to. I was very impressed and happy. In all it was a good visit. I must commend the government and people of Ekiti. Healthcare service delivery is a key part of the eight-point agenda of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration. I saw the attention to ensuring this goal during my time at the state teaching hospital. Ekiti is working. The people are happy. Health is indeed wealth.

     

    • Olorunfemi, a Barrister at law, wrote from Ado-Ekiti

     

  • Ekiti varsity’s days of rage

    Ekiti varsity’s days of rage

    It was an unusual morning at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti. Members of the university community woke up last Thursday to the fury of a students’ demonstration.

    Many were shocked by the protest. As early as 6:30am, students from various off-campus hostels started moving to the main gate. The protesters arrived in batches, shut the gate and prevented staff, visitors and workers from entering.

    Students living at Iworoko were the first to gather at the gate for the protest. They were about 70. An hour later, their colleagues from Osekita, Satellite Phase 1 and Phase 2 joined, carrying various placards with inscriptions such as “EKSU for sale to FG”; “Enough is enough in EKSU”, “EKSU students are not secondary school pupils”; “Our parents are poor and cannot afford to pay N100,000 at once”.

    The protesters said they were registering their displeasure over the management’s policy of “no school fee, no lecture”, “the proscription of Students’ Union for two years” and the introduction of “school uniform to some faculties”.

    The management asked the students to pay their full school fees, which range from N100,000 to N165,000, at once. But students pleaded with the authorities, saying their parents could not afford to pay such an amount at once.

    A demonstrator, who simply identified herself as Bisola, said: “When we heard that management had introduced a ‘no school fee, no lecture policy’, we thought it was a rumour. Not many of us took it seriously until the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof Olugbenga Aribisala, asked students who have not paid their school fees to leave the class. It was then we knew the management was seriousl about the policy.”

    On the first day of the protest, the students planned to barricade the federal highway linking Ado-Ekiti, Ilorin and Kogi. Some of them objected to the plan, saying management and the government could send soldiers to disperse them. They abandoned the idea.

    But the students caused a gridlock on the highway, urging motorists to help them beg the government and management to “pity our parents”. They wrote the plea on the windshields of vehicles.

    There was a drama when some students tried to take photographs with their phones when they were being addressed by the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof I.G. Adanlawo. Security officials tried to seize their phones but students rebuffed the move, shouting “Ole (thief).”

    Later, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were drafted to forestall the break down of law and order. As the NSCDC officers arrived, students shouted: “My oga at the top”. This introduced a drama to the demonstration.

    The students chanted anti-government songs, urging Governor Kayode Fayemi and Prof Dipo Aina, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), to rescind the “no school fees, no lecture” policy.

    At 11am, the protesters were addressed by their colleagues, who led the protest. One of them said: “My fellow students, we are fighting a good fight; we have shown them we are not the animals they think we are. They thought we are going to come here and destroy university property, which is our property but we have conducted ourselves in a peaceful manner. Let us all go back to our respective hostels and we would be back here by tomorrow (Friday) if they do not reverse the policy.”

    By 7am on Friday, the university main gate was again besieged by the protesters, causing a long queue of vehicles to the NNPC filling station, which is a few kilometres away from the gate. Teaching and non-teaching staff were left stranded. Many of them parked their vehicles at safe distance to avoid the students’ wrath.

    The students brought a disc jockey (DJ), who played some solidarity songs including the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s songs. Some played basketball and football during the demonstration.

    Some lecturers, who spoke to our correspondent, condemned the policy, saying it was not in the students’ interest. A lecturer who identified himself as Mr Taiwo, said: “I am fully behind students in this matter because a no school fee, no lecture policy, is absurd for a tertiary institution in the 21st century.” A professor, who craved for anonymity, said: “When I heard about the policy, I told my colleagues that it would lead to another closure of this school. If they had said ‘no school fee, no examination’, I would have supported that. But to say there should be no lecture is not good. The management must look into this and allow students to pay in installment like it is done in some other universities.”

    Some past union leaders pleaded with the students to go back to their hostels. They claimed they met with the VC and representatives of the governor, who allegedly promised two weeks extension to the payment of school fee on installmental basis.

    The protesters rejected the plea, saying if management was sincere, the VC would have addressed them. Students said the former union leaders had taken bribe. The protesters attacked one of the past leaders.

    In the heat of the demonstration, former Governor Segun Oni passed by in a black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), but the students did not immediately recognise his vehicle. One of the students said: “If we had known it was Segun Oni that was passing, we would have torched that yeye (useless) jeep because he is part of the root cause of our predicament”.

    At 3pm, the management announced the closure of the school for two weeks. A statement directed students to go on compulsory break. The management said there would be university-parents forum on May 18 in the main auditorium.

    Jide Koalwole, a 400-Level student, said: “The protest is not sponsored by anyone. It was led and sponsored by the whole students in EKSU. The protest train came from five different areas. We have been suffering in silence since the management and the state government adopted a policy of no lecture if we did not pay the school fees. We are not in primary school. We agree to a no school fee, no examination policy. The university should adopt other strategies of generating revenue but not by strangulating our parents.”

     

     

  • Western Region, Plateau, Ekiti once felt the hammer

    Western Region, Plateau, Ekiti once felt the hammer

    He appeared on the screen as a distressed leader, whose administration is full of tension. His voiced was coarse. Apparently, the embattled leader appeared rattled by the security challenge that has threatened to overwhelm him and create a deep hollow in his record. In a fit of anger, the President Goodluck Jonathan declared a constitutionally limited state of emergency in the troubled states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa.

    To analysts, the decision has two implications. The ‘emergency rule’, which will not affect the structures of government in the affected states, pales into the strategic acceptance that Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states are now disaster zones. The governors, who do not have control over the security agencies under the lopsided federal arrangement, are not to blame. However, the second implication is that the insecurity in these states, two of them (Borno and Yobe) are under the control of an opposition party, may be politically exploited to fuel more tensions that could later warrant the declaration of full emergency.

    The invocation of the power of emergency conveys the impression that all is not well with a section of the country, and indeed, the country. Historically, when the late Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa declared a state of emergency in the defunct Western Region, the late Premier Ladoke Akintola stepped aside for the emergency administrator, Senator Koye Majekodunmi, who ran the affairs of the region for six months. A state of emergency became more compelling, following the crisis of leadership that enveloped the region. The ruling Action Group (AG) had split into two camps, which revolved around the party leader and Leader of Federal Opposition, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and his deputy, the late Akintola. Two personalities; Akintola of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) and Alhaji Dauda Adegbenro of the AG, were laying claims to the premiership. There was the breakdown of law and order in the Western regional House of Assembly, following the disruption of proceedings by Hon. Oke from Ogbomoso Constituency. After the expiration of the six-month emergency rule, the late Akintola regained his position.

    Thirty two years later, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared state of emergency in the crisis-ridden Plateau State for six months. He informed the Senate after the announcement. Governor Joshua Dariye was shoved aside and an administrator, Maj-Gen. Chris Ali, came on board. The emergency declaration followed the religious crisis that engulfed the state. As the Christians and Muslims clashed, there were bloodshed and reprisal attacks in the neighbouring states. The bloodletting was said to have claimed over 2,000 lives. Obasanjo, who also sacked the House of Asembly, explained that the emergency powers were invoked to stamp out sectarian violence and restore order. He blamed Dariye for being indecisive, stressing that his aloofness had further compounded the crisis. Following the expiration of the emergency rule, Dariye regained his lost power.

    Also, On October 19, 2006, Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State. The executive and legislative arms were the casualties. The House of Assembly had impeached the governor, Ayo Fayose, and appointed the Speaker, Sunday Aderemi, as the acting governor, instead of the deputy governor, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi. There was crisis. Fayose claimed that he was illegally removed. Mrs. Olujimi could not take over. Aderemi was parading himself as the acting governor. Tension rose in the agrarian state, following the remarks by the Chief Judge and Attorney-general that the governor was illegally removed. Obasanjo declared the controversial impeachment ridiculous. He said he was alarmed at the presence of three governors in Ekiti State. “We have come to a sad, ridiculous and unacceptable situation in Ekiti State where we have three governors. It is dangerous for democracy to allow this flagrant violation”, he added. An administrator, Gen. Adetunji Olurin (rtd), was appointed for the state.

    Last year, following the escalation of crisis in Riyom, Jos North, Barkin Ladi and Jos South councils, the Federal Government also declared limited emergency in the local governments.

     

  • Ekiti Deputy Governor’s first day in office opens with prayers

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu has urged workers to join the government in sustaining the pace of development.

    She said the Eight-Point Agenda of the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration was designed to better the lot of the masses.

    Mrs. Adelabu spoke yesterday in her office during a prayer session marking her resumption.

    She urged politicians to “drop bigotry and partisan politics” and support the government’s efforts to rebuild the state.

    Explaining that the welfare of workers was a priority of the administration, the deputy governor said: “Any administration that downplays the human factor cannot make any significant achievement.”

    She said the relationship between political appointees and civil servants is mutually beneficial and there should be no division.

    Mrs. Adelabu said: “We must be ready to work in synergy, love one another and be honest, as these are the prerequisites for attaining mutual corporate success.

    “I am not more Ekiti than any of us here. We should not demonise the political office holder or the office. The purpose is lost when the office comes between the occupant and its people.

    “The essence of the administration’s eight-point agenda is to remove barriers in governance and make the very needs of the people the basis of executive pronouncements and the legislations of lawmakers.

    “It has been our vow to govern Ekiti, not by pretence and deceit, but in truth and with purpose, dedication, focus and transparency. My appointment is divine and God, who ordained it, will surely work with me to make meaningful contributions to the success of the Fayemi administration.”

    The Vicar of the Emmanuel Anglican Cathedral, Okeesa, Ado-Ekiti, Rev. Francis Bankole, in his exhortation taken from Philippians 3:13–15, said: “People should not be deterred by past events. Rather, lessons from the past should be taken and applied as one presses forward to achieve a greater tomorrow.”

    He urged workers to support the deputy governor and pray for her success.

    The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Paul Omotoso, told Mrs. Adelabu that the ministry is under her supervision and assured her of the workers’ support.

    Speaking on behalf of political appointees and civil servants in the Office of the Deputy Governor, the Special Adviser in the office, Mr. Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, described the staff as competent, hardworking and trustworthy, adding that they were prepared to work with her.

  • Hit-and-run driver kills teenager in Ado-Ekiti

    A teenage boy was yesterday killed by a hit-and-run driver in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

    Eyewitnesses said the victim was trying to cross the road at Similoluwa when the car, which was going towards Adebayo, hit him. The driver did not stop.

    Sources said the victim, who bled profusely from his mouth, ears and nose, died a few minutes later.

    The incident, which occurred around 8:30am, caused a gridlock around the State Teaching Hospital, as the victim’s body remained on the road.

    It was learnt that the body was taken to the Teaching Hospital by the convoy of Deputy Governor Modupe Adelabu, which was coming from Iworoko.

  • Ekiti to review 2013 budget

    Ekiti State’s 2013 Budget is to be revised to ensure the speedy completion of ongoing projects.

    This was part of the resolutions reached at the Second Executive-Legislative Parley, which held from Wednesday to Saturday at the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resorts in Ikogosi-Ekiti.

    The parley was attended by Governor Kayode Fayemi; his deputy, Prof. Dupe Adelabu; members of the State Executive Council; members of the House of Assembly and Ekiti lawmakers in the National Assembly.

    The participants said the eight-point agenda of the Fayemi administration has improved infrastructure and attracted investors to the state.

    According to a statement issued at the end of the parley, the budget should be revised to ensure the completion of ongoing capital projects.

    It was also resolved that the Mid-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) that informed the 2013 Budget should be updated and extended to 2016. This is to be reflected in next year’s budget.

    The MTEF for 2014 and 2015 should cover agriculture, education, health, urban and physical planning, lands, tourism and infrastructure.

    It was resolved that government agencies should design a sustainable plan to improve Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR), as the state could no longer rely on Federal Allocation.

    The plan must include clear measures to capture existing revenue sources, expand the revenue base and block all loopholes, as well as leakages.

    It was resolved that a Stakeholders’ Forum, comprising individuals and groups from political and economic boundaries, should be convened to help the government restore the core values of integrity, hard work and honesty that define Ekiti people.

    The parley recommended a census of ongoing and abandoned federal projects in Ekiti to inform advocacy for a better deal from Abuja.

    It urged the Executive to support the Legislature to undertake its law-making, appropriation and oversight responsibilities.

    The parley hailed the government’s investment in the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort.

  • Ekiti Assembly okays deputy governor-nominee

    Ekiti Assembly okays deputy governor-nominee

    •Adelabu: politics should unite us

     

    Ekiti State deputy governor-nominee Prof. Modupe Adelabu was yesterday screened by the House of Assembly.

    All the 26 members of the House were present at the screening, which held during a closed door special parliamentary session.

    Mrs. Adelabu was nominated last Friday by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    She may be sworn in today at a special executive council meeting.

    Prof. Adelabu told reporters that “politics should be a tool for uniting people”.

    She urged “politicians to cooperate with the Fayemi administration to build an Ekiti that all indigenes would be proud of”.

    Prof. Adelabu said: “Irrespective of our political differences, this state belongs to all of us. We should forget our differences and come together to build a solid state, because whatever happens now, either good or bad, will affect all of us.

    “We are already in a new dawn in Ekiti under the Fayemi administration. We should work together for the state’s growth.”

    On the ideas she plans to introduce when she assumes office, Mrs. Adelabu said: “God plans for all of us. I will have to study the ground and know how to contribute my quota. I did not expect it. We all know that this position was not vacant until the unfortunate death of Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka. So, I never expected it.”

    Asked whether she was prepared for the position, she said: “My position as the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has prepared me for any position in government.

    “Though we already have a template, which is the eight-point agenda,

    I will contribute my quota. Nothing would be strange to me because I am part and parcel of this administration.”

    The Speaker, Adewale Omirin, said: “We conducted the screening at the parliament based on the lawmakers’ decision. We drilled the nominee for over 30 minutes and she did not let us down. She answered us intelligently and we did not expect anything less. Her performance did not disappoint us. The governor would not disappoint anyone in making such a critical appointment. The nominee is a round peg in a round hole.”

  • Ekiti ACN chairman, four others arraigned for alleged murder

    The Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ekiti State, Mr. Jide Awe, and four others were yesterday arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court for alleged murder.

    The others are Faboro John, Aniramu Basiru, Falayi Busuyi and Owonifari Sefiu.

    They were accused of murdering Mr. Ayo Jeje on March 30 in Erijiyan-Ekiti.

    Jeje was killed while preparing to defect from the ACN to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    They were also accused of attempting to murder Mr. Gbenga Adewumi on the same day and at the same place.

    The defence counsel, Mr. Adetunji Oso, urged the court to allow the accused to continue to enjoy the bail that was granted them by the police, pending the legal advice of the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Femi Falade, opposed the bail application.

    Chief Magistrate Richard Adeboye ruled that the accused should continue to enjoy the bail and adjourned till May 25.

    The police arrested two associates of the late Jeje, Segun Adewumi and Adigun Adesanmi, for taking Awe’s pictures in court. It was learnt that they were taken to the command’s headquarters.

  • Residents lament as Ekiti demolishes slum

    •Landlords warned against selling marked buildings

     

    The Ekiti State Government yesterday began the demolition of shanties in Atikankan, a slum in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The exercise began around 12 noon.

    Owners and tenants of the affected structures ran around to salvage their belongings.

    Some of them accused the government of insensitivity, claiming that they were not given demolition notice.

    Mrs. Oladejo Roda said she had not been compensated.

    Alhaji Yakubu Edunmare said: “I received N380,000 for my shop, but I have not been paid for my house, which is also being demolished.”

    The Commissioner for Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Remi

    Olorunleke, told reporters that majority of those affected had been compensated.

    Olorunleke said: “The ministry made several efforts to reach the few, who have not received their cheques, until last December, when the money was returned to the official coffers. The ministry will have to reapply for the fund before they can be paid.”

    The Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Lands, Mrs. Falodun Olufunke, read a letter dated last December 22, which was written to those who failed to pick up their cheques.

    She said the demolition victims assaulted officials of the bureau, who approached them with the cheques.

    Olorunleke said he heard that some landlords were trying to sell properties marked for demolition and warned that such landlords would be dealt with.

    He said over N380 million had been paid as compensation to those whose buildings were demolished in Ado-Ekiti in the last one year.

    The commissioner said the demolition was to curb crime in Atikankan and upgrade the slum.

    He said the demolition of the 78 structures obstructing the waterways in Adebayo, Olorunda, Adeparusi and housing estates on Afao road would begin soon.

    The demolition will affect the Crownbiz Hotel in Adebayo.

    Olorunleke said landlords with government approved documents of their buildings would be compensated.”

    He said the demolition would prevent flooding and calamities associated with it.

     

  • Adieu Moremi Ekiti

    Adieu Moremi Ekiti

    In a way, the Book of Revelation, in its apocalyptic Chapter 7: 9, must have had the late Mrs Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka, in view when it says: ‘after these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one can number, of all nations (states), tribes, peoples and tongues standing before the throne …’

    Callers at the Ekiti State House, at her family house or at the Olayinka’s in Osborne, Lagos we can count but there is hardly anybody that is somebody in the public life of this country that has not visited, personally, or sent an emissary, to pay his/her last respects to the departed Ekiti State Deputy Governor as well as commiserate with the families she left behind. It has been a complete outpouring of love and emotions for a woman that lived a dedicated life of service and in her very short stay left her mark on the sands of time.

    William Shakespeare could not have been more apt when he wrote in MACBETH:

    “Out, out, brief candle!

    Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player

    That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

    And then is heard no more’.

    Above is how the bard of Stratford-upon-Avon described the illusory nature of life; here today, gone tomorrow; but all thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, death has, forever, lost its sting. And so, like Goke Omidiran, in a poem specially crafted for the occasion, we can mock death and enthuse:

    ‘DEATH, WHERE ART THY STING?

    If you can take a beauty out in a flash

    And able to cause pain untold here to a living soul

    But failed to stop the joy in heaven of a child come home

    A darling daughter standing in the warm embrace of her king

    Then death where art thy sting?”

    Rather than mourn therefore, we have been celebrating the life of this God’s special gift to us all, emboldened by the cocksureness of Apostle Paul when he said in 1 Cor.15: 12- 22:”

    12. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. 14. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain. . 15.Yea and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ whom He raised not up; if so be that the dead rise not. 16. For if the dead rise not, and then is Christ not raised. 17.And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, ye are yet in sins. 18. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21. For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive?”

    It has been tributes galore and overwhelming crowd at all the activities lined up for her rites of passage. For instance, the wake keep event in Lagos was slated for 5 pm at the huge THE HAVEN Events Centre, Ikeja, but an hour before commencement, it had become near impossible to find a parking space on the humongous parking lot.

    Of the hundreds of tributes to our dearly departed, space will permit us touch on only two: the first, by an old man on the line to receive her remains: “I believe this woman was great. I doubt if anyone has ever been this honoured in the state. I have been here since 1.30 pm”.

    The second is the 2,269 -word tribute by her boss and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi which I will try my utmost to compress into about 500 words. Wrote the man with whom she spared nothing in the effort to make poverty history in Ekiti:

    ‘I was already seated when she walked into the busy Chinese restaurant in Ikeja that fateful evening end of January 2007. We had spoken on the phone twice but never met. I instinctively stood up and beckoned her to my table – ‘Mrs Olayinka’, I called out. She was that recognisable in the crowd. ‘Good evening, you must be Dr Fayemi.’ I answered in the affirmative and we greeted warmly. The meeting was to explore the possibility of her joining my ticket as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Action Congress in Ekiti State and my friend, Femi Ojudu and our Leader, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, had broached the subject matter with her already but the feedback from them was: sceptical but not out-rightly negative.

    “She asked pointed questions based on her Google search of my name, wanted to know about the campaign agenda and was worried about political violence, given what she knew of the recent past. She had also read about my wife and was keen to know more about her work. I too asked about her experience in the corporate world, her family and her worldview. It became clear that she was bold, driven, deeply religious, and very concerned about entrenching good governance in her home state as elsewhere. Her earlier discussion with Femi Ojudu and Otunba Adebayo had clearly helped but she was still not ready to commit.

    “To my relief, she phoned few days later to say she had given it extensive thought, prayed about it and consulted widely and was ready to give it a shot. Thus began a journey that I could only describe as God-ordained until the cold claws of death snatched her away from us on April 6, 2013.

    “And was the journey rough and tough!

    “Had she been faint-hearted, she would’ve thrown in the towel when she arrived Ewi’s palace in Ado-Ekiti shortly after to all manner of unimaginable expletives. But her steely resolve manifested early as she simply waved off the incident promising to win over the nay-sayers , which she did.

    “Fortunately, Bisi and Funmi got on very well from the minute they met. And the relationship grew from strength to strength despite the common tendency of people to try to generate conflict between two strong, principled women. Indeed, in many ways, they became inseparable – till the end.

    “I cannot now recall the exact date she gave me the worrisome news about the lump she had felt in her breast but it was after the re-run election in 2009. She kept me in the picture from that moment – right from the first wrong diagnosis that gave an all clear to the second diagnosis later in the year that confirmed there was a problem – leading to surgery in the United Kingdom, late 2009. To our great relief, from now till early 2011 when another check indicated that the cells had metastasized to another part of the body the cancer was in remission following chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as regular checks in the UK and at home in Nigeria. And so she renewed the battle with the dreaded disease with some of the world’s most renowned oncologists in Nigeria, America, Canada and the UK. All through, Bisi was at hand with her in the UK from September 2009 till her last visit in February 2013. We did everything and refused to accept that the situation could not be saved. Funmi was also a source of inspiration. She never gave up on recovery from cancer. She kept hope alive and refused to stay off work – no matter my admonition.

    “Funmi Olayinka was indeed the Moremi Ekiti. In the true tradition of the legendary Moremi, she gave her all in defence of our people. Indeed, there are bound to be many people who will insist that had she stayed away from politics and Ekiti, she probably would be alive today. But not Funmi who, as a devout Christian, believed we all have an appointed time with our Maker. She was never given to regrets. Pleasant in disposition, Funmi was always business-like. With extra-ordinary dedication, she was focused on our goal of bringing succour to our people in Ekiti and at no point, whatever, did I have a reason to doubt her commitment, loyalty or integrity. She was stellar in the performance of the tasks assigned to her and she was clearly central to the success of our administration to date.” Fayemi concluded: ‘your family is now my family. Bisi and I will forever remain grateful to you for being part of the Collective Rescue Mission and you’d remain my sister, my friend even in death.”