President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Kayode Fayemi and a host of others showered encomiums on the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, who was buried in a newly constructed Hero’s Park in Ado Ekiti on Friday.
Children and other members of the family of the deceased, wife of the state governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, and other sympathisers broke down in tears as the body of Olayinka was lowered into the grave.
The casket conveying her body was draped with the Nigerian flag, ACN flag and Ekiti State colour.
The widower, Lanre, and his children, Yeside, Olamide and Ololade betrayed emotion during the interment.
The interment, which was witnessed by members of the family of the deceased and a few others, was preceded by a funeral service held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel Okesa, Ado Ekiti, where dignitaries extolled the virtues of the late deputy governor.
Olayinka was sworn in as Fayemi’s deputy on October 16, 2010 following a Court of Appeal’s verdict which sacked the Segun Oni-led Peoples Democratic Party administration the previous day.
She died on April 6 at the age of 52 after a long battle with cancer of the breast, which became obvious to some of the leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2009.
President Jonathan in a message delivered by the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (retd.), said the late Olayinka served Ekiti State and Nigeria with dedication.
Jonathan described Olayinka as a simple, diligent and committed leader, who contributed her quota to the overall development of the state and the nation.
He said, “Her potentials were not fully tapped before death came calling, but we must thank God for her contributions to Ekiti State and Nigeria.
“The encomiums being showered on this woman of substance today show that women should be given opportunities to serve.”
Fayemi described the life of his deputy as short but very impactful, saying she touched the lives of many people despite serving in pains.
“Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka lived a life of service and commitment to our people. She was a strong pillar of my government, my co-pilot, I have used these adjectives before and I won’t be tired of using them. The Lord giveth and taketh. He doesn’t tell us the appointed time but when the time comes, I pray that our good Lord will meet us doing his will.”
Fayemi said that public service was the best way to touch the lives of the majority of the people in positive ways, adding that Olayinka did her best.
The Archbishop, Ecclesiastics Province of Ondo, Most Revd. George Lasebikan, who delivered a sermon in the church, urged Nigerians to fear God and shun corruption.
He said everybody would give an account of their stewardship before the throne of judgment.
He urged politicians and other leaders to work to bring an end to the problem of corruption, money laundering and insecurity ravaging the country.
He said the problems confronting the nation had refused to go because Nigerians placed emphasis on pecuniary gains.
Lasebikan said, “If you love this nation and don’t want it destroyed, you will shun corruption. The fear of God cannot lead you to kill in the name of religion.
“But we shall overcome. The force of righteousness shall overcome the forces of evil. Here we are today with the body of our dear sister neatly wrapped in the casket; the end has come to all her desires, her hopes, aspirations and longings. We shall all give an account of our lives here on earth on the judgment day.”
The funeral was attended by dignitaries including the National Leader of the ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko; wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola.
Others were the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Lemo; Prof. Akin Oyebode; Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, John Jonah; Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi; representatives of Nasarawa and Niger states’ governors.
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