Tag: Farewell

The late Pa Babafemi Akilo, a retired school administrator, politician and community leader, have been laid to rest in a grand style at his Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State country home. NNEKA NWANERI writes.

Pa Akilo, a staunch philantrophist and one of the founding members of the Action Congress Chairman Elder’s Forum in Ido-Osi, Ekiti State died on January 23, 2013. He was 81.

Like the morning of swarm bees, members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) stormed the streets of Ido -Ekiti, the home town of the deceased to pay their last respects to one of their own.

A large crowd were decked out in white t-shirts with the portrait of the deceased printed on them. They danced from Ido-Ekiti Medical Centre’s morgue, where the deceased was embalmed to his residence for the wake-keep procession.

The broom-wielding ACN members chanted the slogan of the party intermittently to the admiration of the on – lookers. They were also out as early as possible on Friday to usher the remains of the late Pa Akilo’s to Saint John’s Anglican Communion (Palace of Healing), Ijemu, Ido-Ekiti for the funeral service.

The ceremony was also attended by top politicians across party lines, top civil servants and members of Ido-Ekiti community, Governor Kayode Fayemi who was represented by her wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi.

Delivering his short sermon, the Vicar of Anglican Church, Ikere-Ekiti, Rev. Bode Otenaike, described the late Pa Akilo as a strict person, who believed in transparency, accountability and probity in all his dealings.

The cleric, who was full of praises for Pa Akilo, said the “no-nonsense” former school principal, was a strong believer of good governance and selfless service, urging that politicians and those in positions of authorities to emulate his good gestures.

In his condolence message to the family of the late politician, Governor Fayemi described the late Pa Akilo as a man who would forever be remembered for his humility, selfless service and ultimately, for his stickler for rule disposition.

“We really thank God for his life. I recall his logged and principled fight against injustice and your consistent support for the party and government. He lived well and served our people with diligence and love.” Fayemi said.

Another chieftain of the ACN Prince Akin Olayisade described the deceased Akilo as an upright politician, a working father and leader whose political blue prints were eternal time interest.

The late Akilo’s son, Tunde, a Permanent Secretary in the Ekiti State Ministry of Works, said that he would miss his father’s caring attitude and affection towards his children, urging that the virtues his father was noted for during his life time be sustained.

In attendance were: former Governor Niyi Adebayo; ACN State Chairman, Chief Jide Awe; Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Akin–Fasae; Ekiti State Chief of Staff, Mr Yemi Adaramodu, members of the National Assembly, members of State House of Assembly, among others.

Banker-turned-business magnate Anthony Fagbuaro was joined by his siblings, relations and friends for the funeral of his late mother, Madam Elizabeth Oladunni Fagbuaro. Though a modest outing, it was a memorable moment at the All Saints Anglican Church, Housing Estate Road, Ado-Ekiti, writes SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN

State-of-the-art automobiles competed for space in and outside the premises of the All Saints Anglican Church, Housing Estate Road, Ado-Ekiti. It was the same picture – a keen contest of sorts among select guests who shared grand moments – in the sanctuary. And one message was clear: the dignitaries were not there to mourn; they gathered to celebrate the life of a departed mother.

At the centre of the memorable outing was Mr Anthony Sunday Fagbuaro, a Lagos-based banker-turned-businessman and philanthropist. Joined by his equally successful siblings, relations and well-wishers, he hosted dignitaries from far and wide at the funeral of his mother, Madam Elizabeth Oladunni Fagbuaro.

In their uniform, blue-coloured traditional attires, the celebrators and other members of the Fagbuaro Family were the cynosure of all eyes during the service. Their sprightly mien affirmed Fagbuaro’s view that the service was specially organised in honour of their sweet mother.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Alhaji Musiliu Smith, who led other dignitaries at the event, later chaired a lavish reception at the Fagbuaros’ country home. He showed no sign that he would leave his host, even days after the outing.

Aside members of the church’s choir who gave a good account of themselves with soul-lifting numbers and complementary drumbeats that caused waists to wriggle, the officiating minister at the thought-provoking service, Ven. Clement Daramola, with his gripping delivery, held all the guests spell-bound. He centred his sermon on the need for people to embrace a holy lifestyle which, he said, was the hallmark of a real human being.

The exhortation and sermon by Ven. Daramola would register long in their memory as well, touching at the very core of the whole essence of humanity, demystifying the fight for vanity among men in a world filled with the certitude of death as of life.

In the sermon which lasted nearly an hour, Ven. Daramola said paradise and hell-fire exist.

Ven. Daramola warned the congregation not to be deceived by the fleeting allures of the world, asking: “Where is your own focus in a world which will soon end; where will you rise on that day.

“I congratulate you, Mama’s children, for her life and times. Imagine the pains she must have gone through, having 12 children. Among them, only two survived. Imagine her experience. This is a lesson for people on the number of children they should have. Raising children is not a joke,” Ven. Daramola added.

Radiating satisfaction, everyone responded joyfully in total obedience when a call for offering and donation to lift the church was made.

But the greatest financial contribution to the church at the service came from the son of the deceased, Fagbuaro, who humbly announced a donation of N2.5million for the procurement of an important music instrument for the church. Thunderous ovation rented the air. But to the donor, “it was in appreciation of God’s love for my entire family.”

At the Fagbuaros’ home, where the guests retired for a sumptuous reception after the service, lips were busy with stories about the late woman’s exemplary virtues as all were treated to assorted meals and drinks.

The two children of the late “woman of virtue” later evinced their dance prowess to the irresistible beats of the musical ensemble led by Adewale Ayuba, a popular Fuji musician. Adedoyin, Fagbuaro’s delectable wife, used the moment to show her stuff as a dancer. Above all, the moment gave some guests and close associates an opportunity to overwhelm them with naira notes.

Smith led tributes galore in honour of the late woman. He said: “With what people have been saying about this good woman, it goes without saying that she was a model. Her life and times offer one lesson – that we must all live in such a way that on departing, we will live in people’s hearts.”

To Niyi Sangotade, a retired Major-General, the children of the late woman were lucky to have her as their mother. “By their account, the woman cared for them. That means she was a mother of no means order,” he said.

In his tributes, Fagbuaro said his late mother was everything a mother should be to her son. In a groundswell of accolades, as the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said of his wife, he described his mother as “a jewel of inestimable value.”

According to him, the late Mrs. Fagbuaro would go to any length to satisfy any child’s needs, even if it meant sacrificing her comfort. He added: “No one would come approaching my mother for anything and go empty-handed. My wish is for the Almighty God to accept her and make her an inhabitant of paradise.”

Guests at the event included former Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kenny Adedeji; High Chiefs Yomi Orimoloye and Ayo Ariyo, among other traditional rulers; Oba Abayomi Owulade of Shangisha, Magodo, Lagos State; Otunba Reuben Famuyibo; Prof. Eddy Olanipekun, Dr. Kayode Fayetinu; Mr Shina Alabede and Mr Kola Amodu.