The Nation Newspaper

Tag: loving

  • Loving without any reservations

    HOW do people express their affection? That was the question that generated a mild debate recently at a gathering. The topic came to the fore when Bidemi, an emotional victim, shared her story and many opined that she had over expressed her affection, doting on the one she loved without any reservation.

    While some argued that there was nothing wrong with the way she expressed herself; loving and giving twice as much to show that this was a heart that she really cherished. On the flip side, others strongly believed that you have to love and watch the pace of the affection that you are giving out before moving on to the next phase of the relationship.

    Like Bidemi, Sophia has witnessed the bad and the ugly side as a heart that was taken for a ride. Sadly, she opens up to talk about giving affections in mega doses, but all she did just didn’t bring about the desired emotional result. She had been in a relationship for about three years but somehow she wasn’t flowing at all. Emotions remained totally stagnant; there were no additions or subtractions in the game. That made her think that the best thing was to go back to the drawing board.

    That gave her new emotional directions and things got better as they went on to the next phase of their relationship. The crux of the matter here is that we must always have a clear idea about where our relationship is heading to, where we want to be and how we can improve on the basic things to have a better experience together.

    So, the big question here is what are our relationship goals? What are we looking forward to in a relationship that would make it interesting as well as last for a lifetime?

    For many lovebirds, a relationship goal is an ideal, a lesson, value or experience to aim for in your intimate partner in a relationship. Instead of being unattainable, it should be inspirational. Relationship goals are best viewed as a loose guideline on how to best give and receive love in your relationship, nothing more and nothing less.

    Interestingly, there is so much going on these days and many have redefined what they want from a relationship as well as the things that can make or mar a relationship.

    As you move around, you learn lessons from the emotional quadrangle with stories that are sometimes unbelievable. Things you just cannot relate with and wonder if it really happened to you, how you would have reacted.

    There are also those stories that touch the heart and they remind you about the essence of true love and those romantic tales that you read about in story books.

    From these sweet romantic tales, you also read about the bizarre, some hysterical as well as some inflated ideas of what a couple should aim for in their relationship.

    Here are some real relationship goals that would help you stay connected.

    The first rule is to appreciate that your partner is different and has dreams, goals and emotions that may be different from yours. Once you understand this, then it is important for each individual to maintain their own individuality and independence. Being together enough, you can feel comfortable enough to be apart, with two separate identities in the relationship.

    One other thing that you must have at the back of your hand is the fact that sometimes things are better, and sometimes things may just be worse. Sometimes your relationship is well and sometimes it is challenged. Sometimes you’re personally in a good place, and sometimes you’re in a difficult place. In a relationship, to be able to take the good with the bad is a true sign of strength.

    Growing is good for you – good for you as an individual and good for you as a couple. A wonderful way to keep expanding and challenging each other in a positive way is to make a commitment to learn new skills and knowledge together. The relationship goal of lifelong learning keeps your intellect sharp and interests fresh!

    One of the ultimate couple goals is to really take care of each other. Here things work out better when you always put each other’s best interests at heart. The simplest relationship goal is: don’t take each other for granted! Go out of your way to actively and consciously do, little and big, deeds for each other.

    Real relationships are based on authentic people in everyday situations. The best version of you is the real version of you! Our relationship goals are to feel as comfortable in the no makeup, morning breath, sleepy face version of yourself as you do at any other time together. A high point in any relationship is knowinglove languages… and then being able to love them in that way.

  • What’s wrong with loving one’s country?

    SIR: I recall vividly then we had a booming economy, we were either the top or among the top exporters of timber, cocoa, rubber, palm oil, groundnut etc. in the world. Nigerians not only holidayed at home in their villages, at Yankari Games reserves, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Ihuezi Lake, Oguta Lake, Ikogosi Springs, Gurara Falls, Olumo rock, Mambilla Platueau etc.

    We had different car assembly plants Peugeot, Volkswagen, Anamco etc. Other nations admired Nigeria’s height and potentials.

    Today, Nigeria is in a state of nature, same spot for too long, most of our youth fritter away their precious times on frivolities watching European Sports, Movies, chatting irrelevances while the necessity and potentials decay. A country of 170 million fashion-conscious people has no textile industry to boast of.

    We have failed severally to develop products with global appeal. The highly popular Kingsway Stores of the past would have probably had a thousand outlet pan Nigeria, but today we have the likes of Shoprite and SPAR. I could go and on. Just think for a moment and you will agree with me that we are lucky that our exchange rate has not hit N1000 to the dollar yet. Don’t think that it can’t get there; just continue on your destructive choice and preference for imported goods to the detriment of our local products. If we are willingly and sincere, an incredible distance can be covered over time with tiny steps; no magic would change Nigeria for better if we don’t do the right thing.

    America was built not by politicians running for something, but by statement standing for something; it pays to love your country, because we shall be better off. Let’s put our lives in order, it is not too late to be great again, as we follow the river it shall take us to the sea. The wiser we are, the better we live.

    I challenge us as a nation to awake and have a re-think, dare illusions and imagination and embrace realities. Indeed it pays. God bless Nigeria.

     

    • Ifeanyi Everest,

    Anioma – Delta State.

  • Loving without stress

    How can you really conquer love without stress? For those who have gone through the emotional lawn without stress, have a green affair is as simple as ABC. For Ronke it has not been easy . When it comes to matters of the heart ,she actually preferred to thread with caution.A few months ago, she ran into this charming gentleman in the neighbourhood and ever since he had been all over her.

    Should she say yes or no because of her antecedents with other guys with such disposition. Well, there was no harm in trying and so she opened the window of her heart for the emotional exploration. It was wonderful and he became ‘syrupy’ sweet and somehow she fell into the emotional trap.

    As time went on she began to enjoy his attentions and even began to feel special. Then suddenly , she began to notice that it was all deception and she chickened out of the race. Now that it was over, she wondered if things would have been better if she had not doubt the process.Maybe things would have been better, if she had put more efforts into the process ?

    Like the saying grass greener where you water, things get better in a relationship where you play your part well. A lot of people admired hearts that have been watered by others thinking that it all happened by chance. That is not usually the case.

    The saying interestingly comes from the idea of looking at a neighbors lawn and seeing it as better looking, healthier and overall greener than your own.  It actually shows that a lot of hard work had been put in place and the outcome of the dedication and perseverance by the owner of the emotional lawn has indeed paid off.

    On the other, the reality in many relationships is the fact that partners expects so much and get disappointed when their expectations are not met. Great hearts on the other hand are people who give in so much and yet have expectations that are reasonable, things that their partner can do and have the capacity to do. This way their emotional investments get greener and by the time they turn around to take stock, everything falls in place beautifully. Those who do not ‘water’ their emotional tree end up having withered affection. All they ever did was to argue, complain and see nothing good in the hearts they were meant to love, cherish and adore. In confusion and frustration their sweethearts cannot flourish, they also get hostile and thing would certainly fall apart.

    Here the hearts concerned would keep on ignoring anything negative the new hearts  that the now desire as well as  downplaying everything positive about the relationship they are already in.

    Gbenga has been in and out of four relationships, in less than a year. He kept on admiring his best friend’s girlfriend wishing he could get someone as smart and trendy as she was. “When I told my friend the reasons I broke up with the girl’s, he smiled and told me that his girl wasn’t as perfect as I thought she was. He was actually the one that had been making up for her inadequacies.

    Are you serious? No, you just can’t be true. I have always envied you and wished that I had a girlfriend as smart and beautiful as yours.”The crux of the matter here is that a lot of people expect so much in a relationship without playing their own part. “These explain why some people go out of their way to please the other person even when they are not happy with the decisions they have had to make.

    Gbenga honestly never looked at it that way and now he understands that the emotional grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”.

    David has just ended his four year old relationship with Jessica. He gave that relationship everything he had but somehow the heart in question did not appreciate and value the efforts that he was putting into the relationship. Initially, he didn’t mind because, he imagined that the babe in question was just playing hard to get. However things got to a point where, he just couldn’t take it anymore. He discovered that his sweetheart was hanging out with another buddy and always arrived at her doorstep around midnight.  “She just did not know that I was monitoring her and I waited for the right time to tell her the stuff that she was made up.”

    Remorseful? No she wasn’t. Instead, she threw the garbage back in my court? “What exactly is the matter with you? You go out with your friends and nobody says anything about it? You refuse to pick my calls on a number of occasion and you expect me to sit and wait for you, Mr. Prince charming”.

    Wasn’t it better to iron out the emotional difference at this point? “For God’s sake, when will these double standard stop. No, I don’t think that you are the type of guy that I am looking for. I do not want a man that would give me heartaches, please just go away. I am sick and tired of this relationship?

  • ‘She was loving, peaceful and God-fearing

    ‘She was loving, peaceful and God-fearing

    Abia State Governor Victor Ikpeazu buried his mother, Mrs Bessie Ikpeazu, after a funeral service penultimate Friday at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Umuobiakwa in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.  UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE was there.

    The sleepy community of Umuobiakwa in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State came alive penultimate Friday when Deaconess Bessie Ikpeazu, mother of Abia Governor Victor Ikpeazu, was buried.

    She died on November 29, last year, aged 87.

    Dignitaries from all walks of life thronged the town to pay their last respects to the matriarch of the Ikpeazu family and to condole with the governor.

    Five governors – Prof Ben Ayade (Cross River); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Udom  Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Dave Umahi  (Ebonyi); and Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) – were at the event. So also, were some deputy governors, former governors, wives of governors, and members of National and state Houses of Assembly and government officials.

    Others were:  Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu;  former Abia  Governor Theodore Orji;  Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Prince Arthur Eze;  Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe; Nkechi Nwogu and  former minister Emeka Wogu,

    Abia Speaker Martin Azubike and his deputy, Cosmos Ndukwe, among others, commiserated with the Ikpeazus.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by Okorocha, condoled with the family, saying their late matriarch was one who lived a good life.

    In his homily, President, Eastern Nigeria Union Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pastor Bassey Udoh, who  read Luke 2:25-30, urged parents to train their children well.

    Pastor Udoh added that when children are well educated and trained, the society would be better for it. He reminded all to live righteously in preparation for the second coming of Christ.

    “Life and times are short and; therefore, all should strive to make peace with the Creator before it is late, so that when one dies, there is opportunity of seeing Jesus again. This will come only if we live according to God’s principles,” he said.

    In a tribute deceased’s daughter, Mrs Edith Ugboaja described their late mother as a peace maker, kind, loving, transparent and God-fearing woman.

    Just before the interment, Governor Ikpeazu thanked the guests for grieving with him.

    The late Mrs Ikpeazu served as a career nurse and midwife. She had worked at Ahoada County Hospital, Ahoada, Rivers state, Okpuala Ngwa General Hospital and Nigerian Christian Hospital, Onitcha Ngwa in Aba where she served as the matron until her retirement in 1994. She was also the Nursing Supervisor for the Motherless Babies Home, Adventist Hospital, Aba.

  • Farewell to a loving father

    Farewell to a loving father

    The remains of a former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) General Manager, Edward Adeyemi, an engineer, have been interred in Otan, Osun State. DELE ANOFI reports

    It was more like a celebration of life of the late Edward Adegbite Alade Adeyemi, an engineer,   considering the befitting final passage rites penultimate Friday in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.

    He died on July 19.

    Families, friends, associates and well wishers of the former General Manager (Shiroro Transmission region) at the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) turned out in large numbers.

    The sleepy town was agog with guests from all parts of the country who came to bid farewell to the late engineer.

    The officiating Minister at the St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Rev Father Stephen Ilesanmi, said the kindness  of the late prince of Otan-Ayegbaju drew the crowd that besieged the town that day.

    After the church service, the interment of the 61-year-old engineer, who retired in July 2014, was sorrowful.

    The widow, Mrs Cecilia Omoronike, tried without success to be strong. She  sobbed quietly.

    Her children, Adedayo, Fadekemi (Obasanya), Adefunke (Ashamu) and Adeyinka, however, took solace in the fact that their father died a fulfilled man.

  • Farewell to a loving mother

    Farewell to a loving mother

    The remains of Mrs Olufunke Adeoya, mother of the Chief Executive Officer, Marketing Mix and Co, Akin Adeoya, were interred at the Apostolic Faith Cemetery, Igbesa, Ogun State, after a funeral service at the church camp ground, reports IBRAHIM ADAM.

    Even in death, she was celebrated. For Three days, her children gave her a befitting burial.  They described her as a mother, who lived all her life for them and God.

    The late Mrs Olufunke Adeoya was a nurse and midwife at the Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa. She also worked at the General Hospital, Ido Ekiti and Randle General Hospital in Surulere.

    She died on April 10. She was 77.

    Her rites of passage began with a service of songs at Times Square off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. A funeral service was held at the Apostolic Faith Campground, Igbesa in Ogun State.

    Family members, sympathisers, and friends came in their numbers to bid the late Mrs Adeoya farewell.

    The children of the deceased clad in lemon native attire.

    Her remains were laid in a grey casket with gold cross and her pictures around it. The casket was conveyed in a white Volvo hearse.

    The service began with a processional hymn, ‘O beula land’ led by the congregation and the Orchestra. The church choir later rendered the hymn, ‘When I wake up’.

    After the scripture reading from book of Job 14: 1-12, a sermon followed by Rev Tayo Oyelaja, who spoke on the topic: “Is your name written in the book of life”.

    Rev Oyelaja said the late Adeoya spent her life with Christ and has gone to meet the Lord.

    He asked the congregation where they wish to spend their eternity, urging them to live a good life, confess their sins and make it right with God.

    Rev. Sola Opaleye prayed for the deceased, the widower, her children, grandchildren and other guests before the deceased remains were interred at the church cemetery.

    The following day, a funeral reception was held at the Time Square, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. Guests arrived in exotic cars. The ambiance of the hall was conducive as guests moved round to exchange pleasantries and take pictures.

    A bevy of beautiful ladies welcomed guests and led them to reserved seats.

    Most guests clad in the mixed purple aso ebi while others wore choice native attires.

    The hall was tastefully decorated in purple, pink and white matching with chairs set round tables. There were flower vases at strategic location.

    Celebrities including, Clarion Chukwura, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Davies, and Dele Taiwo, among others, added colour to the event. Theatre and advertising practitioners and media professionals also stood to be counted.

    National President, Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Ambrose Somide, anchored the event and entertained guests with rib-cracking jokes.

    Sir Shina Peters and Taiwo Omotunde led their bands to electrify the hall. Their music ushered the children and guests to the dance floor in celebration of a life well spent.

    The deceased’s younger brother, Mr Femi Fayemi, described his sister as his mother, friend and benefactor.

    He urged the children of the deceased to emulate what their mother stood for and unite themselves.

    He said: “She is my elder sister and I call her my mother. She was a wonderful friend to all and a core Christian. She wais my benefactor because I lost my dad when I was a small boy and she had to see me through school. She was prayerful, a loving mother and exceptionally generous. We will miss her a lot because I remember she gave me a Bible and I am using it presently not knowing that she gave me a parting gift.’’

    He recalled her words: “She said Femi take this Bible in Yoruba and English translation; make sure you read it always.’’

    The first child of the deceased, Mrs Adenike Abiona, said her mother was disciplined and served God all her life.

    “She was trustworthy, kept no malice and if there was any issue, she would call you and settle it. She prayed for all; if you pray and sleep at 12 midnight, when you wake at 3am, you will meet her praying again. She believed in prayer and that with God all things are possible. She taught us how to be decent and have faith, she was a lovely mother,” she said.

    The deceased son and President, Babatunde Femi Owolabi Memorial Heart Foundation, Mr Tope Owolabi, said his mother brought them up in a Godly manner.

    “She was a wonderful mother; she was like a hen than protects her chicks. She was supportive and gave us morals and I will miss her prayer,” he said.

    A daughter in-law, Mrs Florence said her mother-in-law was religious, prayerful, loving and caring. “If you don’t call her, she would call and say, I just want to hear your voice. She was just wonderful,” she said.

    A granddaughter, Morolake Abiona, described the deceased as caring and nice.

    “I don’t know where to start from because we will miss her so much. She was so nice, more caring compared to my mum because when we are on holiday, we go to her and it was always interesting. She taught us the ways of God, how to read the Bible and pray,’’ she said.

    Mr Akin Adeoya in his tribute said his late mother never took credit for her efforts to effect change.

    He said it was a duty that she dared not fail after she knew ‘the stone in my heart was gradually becoming a diamond’.

  • Exit of a loving father

    Exit of a loving father

    The eighth day prayer for Chief Adeyinka Opeifa, the late Baba Adinni of  Surulere Central Mosque and father of former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, has been held at the Police College in Ikeja, OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    In solidarity with their colleague, members of the immediate past Lagos State Executive Council joined former Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa at the eighth day prayer for his father, the late Chief Adeyinka Opeifa, who was Baba Adini of Surulere Central Mosque. The event, which was held at the Police College, Ikeja, attracted eminent Islamic clerics, family members and friends.

    Some of the guests, especially the women wore yellow lace with red headgears.  The late Opeifa’s children wore blue native attires.

    Five large tents erected on the college’s field were filled with guests. The clerics arrived before noon, waiting for the event to start.

    Alfa Agba of Lagos Tijani Gbajabiamila said the opening prayer; Abdul Afeez Milo from Oba Asafa Central Mosque in Orile Agege read some portions of the Quran.

    The Chief Imam of Surulere Central Mosque, Abdullahi Mustapha Jatto, led the prayers.

    In a sermon, Adam Abdullahi urged the gathering to live for humanity so that they would be remembered for their good deeds after their death.

    “Use what you have for the good of others because we will all die one day,” he said.

    Fuji maestro Wasiu Ayinde entertained guests at the reception held at the same venue.

    Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said the late Opeifa  impacted on the lives of many.

    “He was a source of joy to all of us that God gave the grace to come across him,” she said.

    His son Kayode described him as honest and straight forward, adding that he was the kind of father everyone wants to have.

    “He taught me to be people-oriented; he spent all his life, money and resources serving people regardless of not knowing where they came from. He is amazing, someone I can always run to.

    “Sometimes, when you feel frustrated and rejected about some things and you need someone serious and objective to discuss the matter with, dad is someone you can go to. He speaks to you like a father and I will miss him for that,” he said.

    Former Commissioner for Information and Strategy Lateef Ibirogba said the gathering showed the deceased lived a fulfilled life.

    “From the children, we can see that he is a disciplinarian, he brought up his children well and he is the kind of father everyone should emulate. He was interested in developing other people and that is why we are all here to celebrate his life,” he said.

    Former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Hakeem Bello said the late Opeifa lived an exemplary life.

    “He was a man who gave a lot to the service of the state; he was a gentleman and had given a lot in the service of the state. He lived a fruitful life and he is well celebrated,” he said.

    His daughter-in-law Abiodun described him as her father. She said he was intelligent and meant a lot to all.

    “He was someone that I personally love, he was my father and I will miss him a lot. I will miss his words of wisdom, I will miss his calls because he called everybody. I am from Ijebu and he knows many things about Ijebu land and all the towns in Ijebu, so, I’m going to miss the story of Ijebu land from him,” she said.

    In attendance were Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Alhaji Lawal Pedro (SAN); former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo; Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson Joe Igbokwe; former Senior Special Assistant on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs Yinka Babalola; former Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Wale Ahmed; former Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry, Seye Oladejo; former Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Demola Seriki; former Special Adviser for Works Ganiyu Johnson; former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative Prince Gbolahan Lawal; APC women leader Mrs Kemi Nelson; APC Agege leader Yinka Ogundimu; Bisi Yusuf;  Akinsanya Ajose; Chief Safari Adaranijo; Comrade Femi Aborisade; Oba Alara of Ilara, Akeem Okunde Adesanya; Chief Solomon Ojolowo and Dr Amos Akingba, among others.

  • Farewell to a loving mother

    Farewell to a loving mother

    The remains of Mrs Olufunke Adeoya, mother of the Chief Executive Officer, Marketing Mix and Co, Akin Adeoya, were interred at the Apostolic Faith Cemetery, Igbesa, Ogun State, after a funeral service at the church camp ground, reports IBRAHIM ADAM.

    Even in death, she was celebrated. For Three days, her children gave her a befitting burial.  They described her as a mother, who lived all her life for them and God.

    The late Mrs Olufunke Adeoya was a nurse and midwife at the Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa. She also worked at the General Hospital, Ido Ekiti and Randle General Hospital in Surulere.

    She died on April 10. She was 77.

    Her rites of passage began with a service of songs at Times Square off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. A funeral service was held at the Apostolic Faith Campground, Igbesa in Ogun State.

    Family members, sympathisers, and friends came in their numbers to bid the late Mrs Adeoya farewell.

    The children of the deceased clad in lemon native attire.

    Her remains were laid in a grey casket with gold cross and her pictures around it. The casket was conveyed in a white Volvo hearse.

    The service began with a processional hymn, ‘O beula land’ led by the congregation and the Orchestra. The church choir later rendered the hymn, ‘When I wake up’.

    After the scripture reading from book of Job 14: 1-12, a sermon followed by Rev Tayo Oyelaja, who spoke on the topic: “Is your name written in the book of life”.

    Rev Oyelaja said the late Adeoya spent her life with Christ and has gone to meet the Lord.

    He asked the congregation where they wish to spend their eternity, urging them to live a good life, confess their sins and make it right with God.

    Rev. Sola Opaleye prayed for the deceased, the widower, her children, grandchildren and other guests before the deceased remains were interred at the church cemetery.

    The following day, a funeral reception was held at the Time Square, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. Guests arrived in exotic cars. The ambiance of the hall was conducive as guests moved round to exchange pleasantries and take pictures.

    A bevy of beautiful ladies welcomed guests and led them to reserved seats.

    Most guests clad in the mixed purple aso ebi while others wore choice native attires.

    The hall was tastefully decorated in purple, pink and white matching with chairs set round tables. There were flower vases at strategic location.

    Celebrities including, Clarion Chukwura, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Davies, and Dele Taiwo, among others, added colour to the event. Theatre and advertising practitioners and media professionals also stood to be counted.

    National President, Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Ambrose Somide, anchored the event and entertained guests with rib-cracking jokes.

    Sir Shina Peters and Taiwo Omotunde led their bands to electrify the hall. Their music ushered the children and guests to the dance floor in celebration of a life well spent.

    The deceased’s younger brother, Mr Femi Fayemi, described his sister as his mother, friend and benefactor.

    He urged the children of the deceased to emulate what their mother stood for and unite themselves.

    He said: “She is my elder sister and I call her my mother. She was a wonderful friend to all and a core Christian. She wais my benefactor because I lost my dad when I was a small boy and she had to see me through school. She was prayerful, a loving mother and exceptionally generous. We will miss her a lot because I remember she gave me a Bible and I am using it presently not knowing that she gave me a parting gift.’’

    He recalled her words: “She said Femi take this Bible in Yoruba and English translation; make sure you read it always.’’

    The first child of the deceased, Mrs Adenike Abiona, said her mother was disciplined and served God all her life.

    “She was trustworthy, kept no malice and if there was any issue, she would call you and settle it. She prayed for all; if you pray and sleep at 12 midnight, when you wake at 3am, you will meet her praying again. She believed in prayer and that with God all things are possible. She taught us how to be decent and have faith, she was a lovely mother,” she said.

    The deceased son and President, Babatunde Femi Owolabi Memorial Heart Foundation, Mr Tope Owolabi, said his mother brought them up in a Godly manner.

    “She was a wonderful mother; she was like a hen than protects her chicks. She was supportive and gave us morals and I will miss her prayer,” he said.

    A daughter in-law, Mrs Florence said her mother-in-law was religious, prayerful, loving and caring. “If you don’t call her, she would call and say, I just want to hear your voice. She was just wonderful,” she said.

    A granddaughter, Morolake Abiona, described the deceased as caring and nice.

    “I don’t know where to start from because we will miss her so much. She was so nice, more caring compared to my mum because when we are on holiday, we go to her and it was always interesting. She taught us the ways of God, how to read the Bible and pray,’’ she said.

    Mr Akin Adeoya in his tribute said his late mother never took credit for her efforts to effect change.

    He said it was a duty that she dared not fail after she knew ‘the stone in my heart was gradually becoming a diamond’.

  • Exit of a loving father

    Exit of a loving father

    The eighth day prayer for Chief Adeyinka Opeifa, the late Baba Adinni of  Surulere Central Mosque and father of former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, has been held at the Police College in Ikeja, OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    In solidarity with their colleague, members of the immediate past Lagos State Executive Council joined former Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa at the eighth day prayer for his father, the late Chief Adeyinka Opeifa, who was Baba Adini of Surulere Central Mosque. The event, which was held at the Police College, Ikeja, penultimate Thursday attracted eminent Islamic Clerics, family members and friends.

    Some of the guests, especially the women wore yellow lace with red headgears.  The late Opeifa’s children wore blue native attires.

    Five large tents erected on the college’s field were filled with guests. The clerics arrived before noon, waiting for the event to start.

    Alfa Agba of Lagos Tijani Gbajabiamila said the opening prayer; Abdul Afeez Milo from Oba Asafa Central Mosque in Orile Agege read some portions of the Quran.

    The Chief Imam of Surulere Central Mosque, Abdullahi Mustapha Jatto, led the prayers.

    In a sermon, Adam Abdullahi urged the gathering to live for humanity so that they would be remembered for their good deeds after their death.

    “Use what you have for the good of others because we will all die one day,” he said.

    Fuji maestro Wasiu Ayinde entertained guests at the reception held at the same venue.

    Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said the late Opeifa  impacted on the lives of many.

    “He was a source of joy to all of us that God gave the grace to come across him,” she said.

    His son Kayode described him as honest and straight forward, adding that he was the kind of father everyone wants to have.

    “He taught me to be people-oriented; he spent all his life, money and resources serving people regardless of not knowing where they came from. He is amazing, someone I can always run to.

    “Sometimes, when you feel frustrated and rejected about some things and you need someone serious and objective to discuss the matter with, dad is someone you can go to. He speaks to you like a father and I will miss him for that,” he said.

    Former Commissioner for Information and Strategy Lateef Ibirogba said the gathering showed the deceased lived a fulfilled life.

    “From the children, we can see that he is a disciplinarian, he brought up his children well and he is the kind of father everyone should emulate. He was interested in developing other people and that is why we are all here to celebrate his life,” he said.

    Former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Hakeem Bello said the late Opeifa lived an exemplary life.

    “He was a man who gave a lot to the service of the state; he was a gentleman and had given a lot in the service of the state. He lived a fruitful life and he is well celebrated,” he said.

    His daughter-in-law Abiodun described him as her father. She said he was intelligent and meant a lot to all.

    “He was someone that I personally love, he was my father and I will miss him a lot. I will miss his words of wisdom, I will miss his calls because he called everybody. I am from Ijebu and he knows many things about Ijebu land and all the towns in Ijebu, so, I’m going to miss the story of Ijebu land from him,” she said.

    In attendance were Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Alhaji Lawal Pedro (SAN); former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo; Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson Joe Igbokwe; former Senior Special Assistant on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs Yinka Babalola; former Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Wale Ahmed; former Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry, Seye Oladejo; former Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Demola Seriki; former Special Adviser for Works Ganiyu Johnson; former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative Prince Gbolahan Lawal; APC women leader Mrs Kemi Nelson; APC Agege leader Yinka Ogundimu; Bisi Yusuf;  Akinsanya Ajose; Chief Safari Adaranijo; Comrade Femi Aborisade; Oba Alara of Ilara, Akeem Okunde Adesanya; Chief Solomon Ojolowo and Dr Amos Akingba, among others.

  • 67 cheers to a loving father

    67 cheers to a loving father

    A reception was held at Mende Town Hall in Maryland, Lagos, following a thanksgiving service at St Agnes Catholic Church, last Sunday, to celebrate the 67th birthday of Managing Partner, Tony May Foundation, Mr Andrew Otokhina, and the call to Bar of two of his children, Winifred and Anne. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    It was a day of thanksgiving for the Managing Partner, Tony May Foundation and Principal Partner, Otokhina and Co., Legal Practitioners, Mr Andrew Otokhina. He turned 67 last Sunday and also celebrated the call to Bar of two of his children, Winifred and Anne. The ceremony was held at Mende Town Hall in Maryland, Lagos following a thanksgiving service at St Agnes Catholic Church.

    It was a gathering of family and friends who turned out in choice traditional outfits. The celebrator and his wife wore purple and grey native.

    The hall was decorated in gold and purple with lights hung on the wall. The Managing Partner, Phoenix Core Ltd, Chijoke Ezeh, anchored the event.

    A retired engineer from Shell Oil, Sam Omobhude, chaired the occasion. He led the opening prayers.

    Mrs Titilayo Akinlanown (SAN) welcomed guests. She congratulated the celebrator on his birthday and welcomed the Winifred and Anne into the legal profession.

    Omobhude described the celebrator as a man of integrity and strong will. He also a generous man, he added.

    Omobhude supervised the cutting of the cake, which was cut after the spell of JESUS.

    One of the lawyers celebrating their call into bar, Winifred, said she was happy for the achievement. She described her father as caring and wonderful.

    “He has been always there and I wish him long life. He is very proud of his children, saying he is always there for them.

    A lawyer, Odion Esezoobor, the Managing Partner of J. Odion Esezoobor, a law firm delivered a lecture. He spoke on the topic, “Immunity or impurity”.

    He urged lawyers, police and our leaders among other professions to ensure purity in whatever they do.

    He said the problem of Nigeria was because some people were being as they were above the law, adding, we can’t go far if this continues.

    He said impurity takes place at all levels of government, noting that the law of impurity in Nigeria has to be reviewed.

    Executive Director, Genotype Foundation, Doris Gbemiloye, said the celebrator is a man that has compassion for the people.

    She described him as a very gentle man, soft spoken. He knows what he wants and what he is doing; he goes for what he wants and he is a man of principle, she added.

    The celebrator said he felt and gave thanks to God because his life journey had been wonderful. He said he aspired for long life to do charity.

    His wife, Mrs Edith, described her husband as good, caring and a loving husband that words are not enough to qualify him. She said she wished him long life, prosperity, privileged to enjoy the fruit, of his labour and all the good things he desires.

    “He is a supportive man even in the midst of troubles in the family, he gives me and the children courage at all times,” she said.