Ogun state Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun; with Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, at the Funeral Service, in honour of the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, at the Emmanuel Cathedral Church (Anglican Communion), Ado-Ekiti.
President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on Friday led a long list of eminent Nigerians who paid their last respect to the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka, at the funeral service held for her in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital on Friday.
They all attended the funeral which was held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesa, Ado-Ekiti after which the remains of the late deputy governor were interred at the newly-constructed Heroes’ Park near the Government House.
The body of the late Deputy Governor, who died on April 6th, was buried at exactly 1.21pm.
President Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd) said the late Olayinka made good use of the opportunities she had to serve the people of Ekiti State and Nigeria meritoriously, even though her potentials were yet to be fully harnessed before she died.
Jonathan added that the late Deputy Governor was a woman of substance known for her simplicity, diligence, respect and brilliance.
The President said: “One will easily notice and find simplicity, diligence, respect and brilliance in this woman of substance that is admired for all those virtues. It may not be out of place therefore to say that unfortunately her potentials have not been fully tapped before death came calling. We must thank God for a life well-spent. The opportunities she had to serve and the contributions she made wholeheartedly to the development of her state, ekiti and Nigeria which she served meritoriously and with dedication”, he said.
The President stated that the encomiums showered on the deceased by people who had given their tributes as well as the generality of Ekiti people re-affirms his strong belief that women in the Nigerian society should be given the opportunity and encouragement to express their God-given talents and potentials to serve humanity.
Governor Fayemi, while addressing the congregation, said her late Deputy lived a life of sacrifice, service, commitment to the people and dedication to God.
The Governor noted that Olayinka who was a lay reader in the Anglican church was faithful in all ways and did not take her faith lightly.
Fayemi who stated that her service to the State would not be allowed to go in vain said that the State Government would next week announce a project in the area of the ailment that claimed her life so as to permanently keep her memory alive.
“We shall continue to have mementoes in her memory so that others who come after her will know that it is good to be good and public service is the highest form of duty that one can render to one’s community. That’s why we have taken all the pains to ensure that we didn’t allow her to just go quietly but to see that she is celebrated and remembered, not just as a major positive influence on our state but also as an inspiration for younger women, public office holders to look up to in the future”, the Governor said.
Other dignitaries present the funeral were Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) and Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura represented by his deputy, Mr. Damishi Luka.
Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu was represented by Dr. Peter Sarki; Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Lekan Ogungbe, Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi was represented by his deputy, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu.
Former Governors at the funeral include Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Lagos), Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo (Ekiti), Aremo Olusegun Osoba (Ogun), Chief Adebisi Akande (Osun), Chief Segun Oni (Ekiti), Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua (old Ondo).
Deputy Governors were fully represented at the funeral to bid their colleague farewell. They included Prince Segun Adesegun (Ogun), Mr. Efiok Cobham (Cross River), Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (Lagos), Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo (Oyo), Chief Yomi Awoniyi (Kogi), Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (Osun) and Alhaji Ali Olanusi (Ondo).
Wives of state governors present include Erelu Bisi Fayemi (Ekiti), Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (Oyo), Dame Abimbola Fashola (Lagos), Mrs. Olufunso Amosun (Ogun), Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola (Osun).
National Assembly members present include Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central), Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North), Rep. Bimbo Daramola (Ekiti North II), Rep. Oyetunde Ojo (Ekiti Central II), Rep. Ife Arowosoge (Ekiti I) and Rep. Bamidele Faparusi (Ekiti South II).
Former National Assembly members present include Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora, Sen. Ayo Arise, Sen. Bode Ola and Sen. James Kolawole.
Other dignitaries are former Military Administrator of Ekiti State, Navy Captain Atanda Yussuf (rtd); Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sarah Sosan; former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Adebisi Omoyeni; Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Tuned Lemo.
The rest include retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Olufunmilola Adekeye, Court of Appeal judge, Justice Oyebisi Omoleye; Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh.
Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otueke, Bayelsa State, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko; Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Oladipo Aina; former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Akin Oyebode and Chairman, Acess Bank, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode.
From the party front are the National Deputy Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Boss Mustapha; ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; South West ACN publicity Secretary, Mr. Ayo Afolabi and Ekiti State ACN Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe.
Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu, Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya and other members of the State Executive Council also graced the funeral.
Last modified: April 26, 2013
