The Senate virtually relocated to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, last Friday when Senator Olugbenga Obadara and his siblings buried their mother, Mrs Lucinda Ayoka Obadara, the Ekerin Iyalode of Trinity Methodist Church in the ancient town. NNEKA NWANERI was there.
Though I am the 12th child of the family, I suffered with my mother from the age of 10 when my father died. She refused to let me trade and insisted I went to school. It was tough. But, today, we are vindicated.
This was the testimony of Senator Olugbenga Obadara, at the funeral of his mother, Mrs Lucinda Ayoka Obadara, before a crowd of sympathisers in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, last Friday.
He went on: “My mother, I can say today, has been duly honoured because she died in my arms and her last words were: ‘Don’t fight with anyone. God will bless you.’
“I cannot say it all, but to thank her for all God made her do for me,” Obadara said.
The guests were not gloomy; they were in a celebratory mood as they bade Mama Ake final farewell.
The late Mrs Obadara died on July 27. She was 94.
Despite the downpour, people came from far and near to honour her. Political heavyweights and Obadara’s colleagues in the Senate were there. Senate President David Mark led the Senate team, which included his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.
If eulogies could bring the dead back to life, Mama Obadara would have risen from the coffee-coloured casket bearing her remains.
Family members, the Methodist community and friends, who wore pink aso ebi, were seated by 10am for the scheduled 11am service at the Trinity Methodist Church in Itesi, Abeokuta.
Family members, sat in a corner of the church in their red aso oke.
The Bishop of Oyo Diocese of the Methodist Church of Nigeria,the Right Rev. Titus Omoniyi, gave the sermon. He urged all to live worthy lives.
“Let us begin to number our days and live in wisdom,” he preached.
Rev Omoniyi urged Christians to have hope as Jesus Christ lives on.
The late Mama Ake’s children and grand children went before the cleric for a special prayer. The family was led by the 81-year-old first daughter, Mrs Waleolu Kehinde-Ajayi and the 74-year-old first son.
The burial site in the family home of the Obadaras was restricted to family members. Senator Obadara and other family members performed the dust-to-dust rite before the remains were lowered to the grave.
Senators sent condolence messages. They extolled the virtues of the deceased.
Mark described her death as an “irreparable loss”, urging Obadara to count it a privilege burying his mother.
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun said the deceased lived a fulfilled life having touched many lives and served selflessly in the Lord’s vineyard.
The Alake of Egbaland Oba Michael Gbadebo, in a letter, said: “She lived well for 24 years above the biblical 70, thus, befitting a special grace of God. Besides, she lived to see her children occupy enviable positions in the political economic realm of life. She was also a prayer warrior, despite her age.”
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife Senator Oluremi said the late Mama Ake’s faith was her strength. They thanked God she gave the country Senator Obadara, whom they described as a cerebral lawmaker and consummate soldier of democracy and rule of law.
As the reception held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, two large tents were erected.
The venue was decorated with pink and white rose flowers. Glittering table decorations added to its beauty. The uniformed Ankara fabric was sewn in trendy styles. The women ensured they made fashion statements with theirs. The organisers and family members left no stone unturned in ensuring that the deceased had a befitting burial.
Renowned Juju musician Chief Ebenezer Obey and his band electrified the venue, singing the praises of guests, who went home with various souvenirs.
In attendance were: Senators Hope Uzodinma; George Sekibo; Ibrahim Abu; Isiaka Adeleke; Smart Adeyemi; Gbenga Ashafa; Ganiu Solomom; Tunde Ayeni; Hon Olumide Osoba, Ogun State Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun; Lanre Edun; wife of the Alake, Olori Tokunbo Gbadebo; the wives of Oba Dapo Tejuosho; Iyalode Alaba Lawson.
Others were: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Global Trust Savings and Loans, Olaitan Komolafe; Deputy Managing Director of IGI Insurance Rotimi Fashola; former Ogun State Governor Chief Segun Osoba; Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Hon Bimbo Ashiru and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Dr Tunji Abimbola; the late Chief MKO Abiola’s daughter and Special Adviser to the governor on MDGS, Hafsat Abiola-Costello and former Minister of State for Defence Chief Demola Seriki.
