Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and one of his sisters, Chief (Mrs) Moni Oloro during the funeral mass for the late Madam Dorcas Aina Fayemi in Isan- Ekiti on Friday
The remains of Madam Dorcas Aina Fayemi, mother of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi were laid to rest in Isan Ekiti, yesterday amidst calls for a change in parental values. Madam Fayemi died in April 15th, 2012 at the age of 83 years.
Delivering a sermon at the funeral service, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo said recent crises in the country were not unconnected to the loss of good parental values; saying that parents are now too concerned with material things rather than social values that upcoming generations could inherit.
The Clergy who described the roles of parents in nation building as indispensable said the tides of insecurity and corruption in the country could have been stemmed if parents had handed their wards lasting values.
He added that the Fayemi Matriarch was immensely blessed by good children, including the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, adding that mothers have great privileges especially when they train their children and give them good education and good social values of discipline and selfless sacrifice.
While expressing optimism that Nigeria was not beyond repair, the Catholic Priest canvassed a shift from the culture of celebrating mediocrity, brigandage and corruption to selfless sacrifice and honesty; stressing that God would soon bring every act to judgment.
Badejo reminded leaders that they too needed to use their offices to better the lot of the masses rather than personal aggrandisement; saying that “the power of the people is greater than the people in power” and posterity would catch up with anyone who embezzles public funds.
Describing the deceased as a devout Catholic who never wavered in her faith till death, he lamented that church has now been adulterated with people who do not stand on their faith but use it like “a walking stick” and throw it away when they feel they do not need God.
Advocating for recognition of parents not only on parents day, the Bishop said when Nigeria begins to honour good parents for what they do, then our values will change. “The memory of people who take care of their children will be sweet long after their demise”, he concluded.
At the event were State Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, (SAN), Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and his wife, Kemi , River State Governor,Mr Rotimi Amaechi and his wife, Judith, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his wife , Funso, Kwara State Governor, Ahmed Abdulfatah and Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda and his wife, Abiodun.
President Goodluck Jonathan was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Inter party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi.
Also in attendance are former Lagos State Governor and National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; National Chairman of the ACN, Chief Bisi Akande, former Ekiti State Governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and his wife, Erelu Angela; former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, former Governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmi Olayinka and her husband, Arc. Lanre Olayinka.
Also in attendance were former Governor Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), former Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki, Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd),Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), Senator Ajayi Borrofice (Ondo),Senators representing Ekiti State, Babafemi Ojudu, Olubunmi Adetumbi, Tony Adeniyi as well as their counterparts in the House of Representatives. Business mogul, Aliko Dangote, legal icon and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Wole Olanipekun, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, Prince Julius Adeluyi-Adelusi; Senator Bode Olajumoke, Otunba Biyi Durojaye,
Former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof Wale Omole, Speaker , Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, Prof Julius Ihonvbare, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Chairman, Access bank, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, Chief Wole Olanipekun, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, Dr Olu Agunloye, Dr Olu Abraham, Mrs Jumoke Anifowose, Mr Tokunbo Ajasin, Mr Muyiwa Ige, Mr Gboyega Adefarati, among others.
Officiating Ministers include the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocece, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaiye; Bishop of Kaduna Diocese, The Most Revd Bishop Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, Emeritus Bishop Francis Alonge, Archbishop of Ondo Diocese and Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Communion, Bishop Adedayo Abe.
Last modified: May 19, 2012
