Grief as five govs, eminent Nigerians bid Fasoranti’s daughter farewell

Tribune Online
Grief as five govs, eminent Nigerians bid Fasoranti’s daughter farewell

Five state governors, two former state governor, as well as other prominent Nigerians thronged Akure on Monday as the remains of the daughter of the leader of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Mrs Olufunke Olakunri, were laid to rest after a service at St David’s Anglican Cathedral, Ijomu, at the Ondo State capital.

Olakunri was killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen on the Benin/Ore/Sagamu highway penultimate Friday while travelling to Lagos from Akure.

In his sermon, the Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend Simeon Borokini, urged the people to always be prepared to meet their creator, saying “everyone will render the account of what they have done and things they refused to do.

“No matter what you have, it will expire the day you die. You will be called to eternal rest one day and it may be soon. The promises of God for mankind are true. Be mindful of your dealings and be committed to the service of God.”

Borokini, who decried the spate of kidnappings, killings and other criminal activities in the country, stressed the need for government at all levels to be more proactive on the protection of lives and properties of citizens.

He stated that no one is safe in the country again, urging Nigerian leaders to act as good leaders by providing securing the for lives and properties to those who elected them to power.

He said people’s movement should not be restricted because of insecurity in the country.

“Do we have credible leaders in Nigeria? Do we have leaders we can reckon with? It so unfortunate. Millions of people in the land are wounded and need healing. It is when the government do the needful that we can be healed.

“There is the need for our leaders to improve security measures in the country. The moment any Nigerian steps out of his/her house, it is like taking a greater risk. Nobody is safe in Nigeria at the moment.

“The government should do more about the security of the people. You take a risk in your house and you take a greater risk when you take a step outside your house.

“Nobody is happy and safe in this country again. Our leaders should do something on the issue of insecurity. Nigerians are not happy, they are hungry and angry,” he said.

On the death of Olakunri, Borokini described it as a loss to Nigeria, not to Akure community and Ondo State alone, but also adding that “it is only God that can comfort the family of the deceased. It is only God that can wipe away their tears.”

Speaking to newsmen after the church service, a former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, appealed to the Federal Government to be more proactive in its efforts at fighting insecurity in the country.

He said: “We have been consistently calling on this government, the Buhari government and state governors to do more on security. I will not shy away from saying that. By God’s grace, the perpetrators will be identified; no hiding, no pretending, they would be brought to justice.”

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In his tribute to the deceased, the husband, Mr Idowu Olakunri, expressed sadness over the death of his wife, saying the family would take solace in numerous legacies she left behind.

“You survived many challenges. This was not a challenge but a home call. I don’t like the way it came at all because it did not allow us to say ‘goodbye’, show affection and make an effort to prolong the day. Sleep well my wife, I will never be the same again, this I know,” he said.

The funeral service was attended by five out of the six governors in the South-West region, and these are the governors of Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti and Oyo states – Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, Mr Dapo Abiodun, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Engineer Seyi Makinde,  respectively.

Also, two former governors of Ondo and Ekiti states, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and Engineer Segun Oni; former Minister of Aviation, Mr Fani-Kayode; Chief Wole Olanipekun; members of the Afenifere group; chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Chief Clement Faboyede; chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Engineer Ade Adetimehin; President of Customary Court of Appeal in Ondo State, Justice Aguda Taiwo and top government officials were present to bid Mrs Olakunri farewell.

Grief as five govs, eminent Nigerians bid Fasoranti’s daughter farewell
Tribune Online