L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his Wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi; during the Funeral Service for the late Comrade Ayodele Afolalu;President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Ilawe- Ekiti on.. Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his Edo State counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole eulogize the late President of Ekiti State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Mr. Ayo Afolalu, as his remains were buried in his home town, Ilawe –Ekiti earlier today.
Afolalu and three other officials of NULGE died in a ghastly motor accident along Benin-Owo road last Tuesday.
Speaking at the funeral service for the late NULGE President at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ilawe-Ekiti, Governor Fayemi described the incident as “a very sad day in the annals of Ekiti history” adding that the State had lost one of its most committed stakeholders. He said the deceased was “ very committed, not only as a union leader but as an Ekiti person.”
The Governor who said he was shocked to hear of the demise of the Union leader whom he still saw on the State-owned television station on that fateful day, said the multitude of people who thronged the church for the funeral service was a testimonial that he had lived a fulfilled life not only as a Union leader who fought for the interests of his members but also as a respected community leader and philanthropist.
Fayemi however pledged the assistance of the state government for the family of the deceased including scholarship for the deceased’s daughter who is a student of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole in a condolence letter to Governor Fayemi and the families of the deceased, expressed shock over Afolalu’s death. He described the late NULGE President as “one of the most resourceful state presidents and a key advocate of reform ion the union.”
The letter reads in part: “I received with great shock news of the death of Comrade Ayo Afolalu, the Ekiti State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and three other officials while on their way to the Union’s Special Delegates Conference in Benin City.
R-L Widow of the late Children and widow of the late Comrade Ayodele Afolalu, President of the Ekiti State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) with other sympathisers at the funeral service held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ilawe-Ekiti on Wednesday, April 04, 2012.
“I wish to convey to the Government of Ekiti State the deepest condolence of the people and Government of Edo State as well as my personal commiseration. Our hearts are with the people of Ekiti State at this very difficult moment. His death is a big loss not only to NULGE but also to Ekiti State.
“I understand that he was one of the most resourceful State Presidents and a key advocate of reform in the Union. In this respect, he was a distinguished ambassador of the State and an embodiment of the Ekiti reputation for honour and duty.
“We join you to pray for the repose of the souls of Comrade Afolalu and our other illustrious brothers. We also pray our Heavenly Father to strengthen their families with His consoling grace,” Oshiomhole said.
Thousands of mourners, dressed in black attires had thronged the church premises and major streets in Ilawe to bid the late union leader a final farewell. His remains was later interred at his private home in the town amid a blend of tributes and wailings by sympathizers.
Last modified: April 4, 2012
