The remains of Deaconess Alice Ajoke Olanrewaju, mother of Oluwasesan Olanrewaju, former Special Adviser on Environment to Lagos State governor, were interred penultimate Friday at Atan Cemetery in Yaba, after a funeral service at the United African Methodist Church (UAMC), Ebute-Meta. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.
It was a celebration of life well spent. The funeral of Mrs Alice Ajoke Olanrewaju was celebrated by her children led by Oluwasesan Olanrewaju, former special Adviser on Environment to Lagos State government. Deaconess Olanrewaju died last November 25. She was 98.
Some of the guests, who came to pay their respects, wore the uniformed Ankara fabric with orange head gear for the occasion, while others looked gorgeous in their choice outfits.
The funeral service held at the United African Methodist Church (UAMC) in Ebute-Meta, Lagos State and the church auditorium with its gallery were filled to the brim. Many, who came late, sat outside the church.
The officiating priest, Bishop of Mainland, UAMC, Rt. Rev Matthew Olakitan began the service by asking the congregation to stand while other priests proceeded to the church’s entrance to usher in the remains of the late Deaconess Olanrewaju.
Doja Funeral Home, Pall bearers, brought in the late Deaconess’remains in a brown casket which was followed by the priests as they went to the altar amid the rendition of ‘For all the saints, who from their labour rest’, hymn. Family members followed the procession.
The choir later led the hymn ‘God moves in mysterious ways’ and Rt. Rev Joseph Adedayo of UAMC, Oke-Aarin, took the lesson from Book of Psalm, Chapter 90, verses 1-17.
In his sermon, Rt. Rev Matthew Ayinde of UAMC Ebute-Meta, said the gathering was to celebrate a good soul, which was the reason her children were dancing and rejoicing.
He prayed that the children will live well as their mother did.
He said: “Mama served God well and God will give the children the grace to also serve him well.
He read from 1Kings, Chapter 2, verses 2 to 3.
He told the congregation that they would also die someday either rich or poor.
“You must consider where you are going to spend your eternity. If Jesus comes today to take us, where will you go? Change your ways and follow God,” he said.
After the service, some of the guests moved to Atan Cemetery in Yaba, Lagos where Deaconess Olanrewaju’s remains were interred around 2:22pm.
The congregation and guests later moved to Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos, for the reception.
The hall and the additional tents were decorated in Orange and White, and they were filled to capacity.
Virtually all the children and the grand children did not sit down throughout the reception.They were moving round tables attending to guests.
Oluwasesan, son of the deceased, said his mother was everything to him when she was alive.
“Mama was caring and loved all her children, grand children and great grand children. She did a lot for us and we really thank God for her. She rallied round everybody even to the detriment of her own well being. She took care of all,” he said.
He added: “My most memorable moment with her was when I was in school and she will give me lots of food stuff. She even did same for my children when they were going abroad to further their studies.”
The daughter of the deceased, Mrs Olufunmilayo Labiran, a retired Nurse from the University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Oyo State, described her mother as a disciplinarian.
Referring to her late mother using the present tense, she said: “She is generous and a good giver. She gives to everybody even at her own detriment. I will miss her prayers. “
The late Deaconess Olanrewaju’s granddaughter, Yewande Olanrewaju, described her grandmother as wonderful, one in a million woman, who would not discriminate.
“Grandma has been supportive since my father, Pa Emmanuel Olakunle Olanrewaju died,” she said.
Obanikoro of Lagos, Oloye Adesiji Ajayi Bembe, who graced the occasion, said the deceased late husband was his uncle. He said the late Deaconess was a good mother who loved all without discrimination.
The Ojora of Lagos, Oloye Nurudeen Olubiyi Agoro, said the deceased was a nice woman and worthy of emulation. “She served God to her last moment,” he said.
Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, said the deceased loved children and was kind to all. He said she had a good heart and did well for her children and everybody around her.
