R-L: Mr Olamide Agbola; daughter of the deceased Yeside; husband of the deceased, Arc. Lanre Olayinka; Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; with the sisters of the deceased, during a wreath laying ceremony at the graveyard of the Former Deputy Governor, Late Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, shortly after the memorial service in Ado-Ekiti .
The Government and the people of Ekiti State on Sunday held a memorial service in commemoration of the first anniversary of the death of the late Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs Funmi Olayinka, who died on April 6 last year after a long battle with cancer.
The memorial service is the first in the series of other activities lined up for the first memorial of the late deputy Governor. The other programmes include a rally and Cancer awareness walk/Health talk at Ido, Ikere and Ado Ekiti billed for Monday and Tuesday.
Speaking shortly after the church service, the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, thanked the people of the State for their love and support for the family of the late Deputy Governor whom he described as remarkable.
The Governor stressed that the late Mrs Olayinka served the State selflessly with commitment and integrity as well as exemplary character.
Fayemi added that there are many things to be emulated from Olayinka in her life of sacrifice and service to the people.
The Governor said: “She was a remarkable woman who served our people selflessly with every commitment, with integrity and exemplary character. We have a lot to emulate in her and those of us left behind in public service should continue to dedicate ourselves to those qualities that endeared her to Ekiti people. Her gentleness, compassion, competence and service to Ekiti people”, he said.
Earlier in his sermon, the Dean of Emmanuel Cathedral Ado Ekiti, Very Revd Francis Bankole had expressed worry at people’s sycophancy at celebrating mediocrity at the expense of what can benefit them.
The clergyman who expressed amazement at the selflessness of the late Olayinka while serving the State said the State at this time needs more people like her so that the development currently enjoyed in the State can continue.
Bankole said Olayinka’s integrity was never in question because she worked with people of integrity and was committed to lifting up the vulnerable.
The clergyman who was worried at people’s delight in mediocrity said they should never complain should the State relapse into the era of thuggery and mediocrity because of what they will eat.
“Those who do good, the people condemn but they praise those who have done bad. We must stop this sycophancy because our future is dependent on what we do now. We cannot afford to sell our conscience because some people throw money at us”, he said.
The memorial service was attended by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the widower of the late Deputy Governor, Arc. Lanre Olayinka and one of their daughters, Yeside, Senator Tony Adeniyi, some members of the State House of Assembly including Deputy Speaker, Chief Tunji Orisalade, Head of Service, Mr Bunmi Famosaya, and former World Bank consultant, Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun among others.
A prayer session was also held after the church service at the Cenotaph of the late Olayinka at the Hero’s park where she was buried. The Deputy Governor, Wife of the Governor and husband of the deceased, Arc Olayinka. as well as her eldest daughter, Yeside were among those who laid wreaths at the grave side.
Last modified: April 6, 2014
