Yeye-Oba’s Befitting Final Farewell

When Thank You Is Not Enough!!

If you described Wednesday June 19, 2024 as the Late Yeye-Oba Okeya-Ipo Day, you may not be wrong, especially if you witnessed the event at Okeya-Ipo that day.

That was the day the sprawling Igbomina Community hosted a cream of distinguished guests spanning different professions, callings, vocations and institutions who thronged the town to give Mama, Alhaja Chief Memunat Ahinke Emiloye Adedoyin, _First Yeye-Oba of Okeya-Ipo, a befitting final farewell.

In an event that had the 1,000 capacity tent filled to the brim, with additional tents to accommodate vendors and other service providers, no doubt, everyone involved in this event spared no effort to ensure a successful outing.

It is for this reason that we-Mama’s children, sons, daughters, sons-in-laws & daughter- in-laws and relations-owe a debt of gratitude to all the distinguished guests who took out time, who defied the harsh economic climate and the challenges of the present times to honour our late matriarch with their presence, presents and prayers. We are even more indebted to the small circle of friends, family members and volunteers who worked for hours on end, in the weeks preceeding June 19, 2024 to ensure a seamless and successful event.

Only The Most High, the One Who adequately rewards good deeds can reward your sacrifices and labour of love.

And for those who sat in a corner and said: “we will rally round you guys and support you as you give your precious mother a befitting final farewell’ and went ahead to do so, the Most High will not fail you in your hours of need. Amen.

While it is practically impossible to come up with a list of all these selfless individuals who honoured us on the day, mentioning a few names will certainly not be out of place, even as our profound appreciation goes to all whose support made the day a truly memorable one.

Here, His Excellency, Kayode Alabi, Deputy Governor of Kwara State, comes first. The very affable gentleman freely mixed with other guests; moving from table to table to greet them. He was outstanding in taking the time to identify with us as we give our matriarch a befitting final farewell. His presence is worthy of mention and appreciation.

And our father, Ahaji Chief Dr Raheem Oladimeji, OFR, fNAEAP, fSPSP, Asiwaju of Igbomina Land and Baba Oba of Offa Kingdom and Founder of Al-Hikmah University Ilorin; a man of his words and an octogenarian blessed with the energy and vigour of a 55 year-old was no less worthy ofappreciation. He promised to grace the occasion and he did. E e pe fun wa, Sir.

I cannot but appreciate my own Chairman, one of Nigeria’s leading investors and business icon, Dr Tunde Ayeni. May The Good Lord continue to grow our Empire.

And our Royal Fathers added colour and glamour to the event. First to arrive was my sovereign, the Oludopo of Okeya-Ipo, Oba Saheed Giwa Opadoye (Oyelekan III) who was later joined by our Royal Father, the Elesie of Esie, Oba Yakubu Agboola Babalola (Egunjobi II) who, years back, had conferred yours sincerely with the title of Otunba Onigegewura of Esie Land title. His Royal Highness, Onipe of Ipee, Oba Mufutau Adebayo Lawal (Titiloye III) also gave the occasion his Royal stamp of approval by personally gracing the event.

And my friend and brother, the tireless Tiger, Taye Ige. His determination to ensure the success of the event and his walking the talks is the stuff great friendship and brotherly love is made of. He set up a WhatsApp platform to drive his vision for the event and day and night he was on the platform, mobilising friends, colleagues and Club mates for the event. Bless him for me Oh God.

From the get go, my brother and friend, Prince Olayiwola Olarinoye was emphatic that we must give Mama a befitting parting grand reception. For my sake, he moved his entire household to Kwara State for days to be part of the great day. May God reward your labour of love beyond measures.

Ditto for other members of the Coffee Club. Stand up for recognition and profound appreciation: Aare Tajudeen Olaniyi Kolawole, Chief Olayinka Aroyehun, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, the Director General of the National Institute of Cultural Orientation, NICO, who came all the way from Abuja for the sole purpose of giving mama a befitting send forth, and our friends and brothers: AIG Oyeyemi Oyediran, Chief Raheem Adedoyin, Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom, Chief Bashir Mustapha, Babalaje of Igosun, Lasun Dada, Mr Bolaji Elelu, Mr Dunmoye, Alhaji AbdulFatai Salami, Prince Thompson Oladimeji, Prince Nelson Oladimeji, Hon Mumini Katibi, Hon Olabanji Olayemi, Hon Tayo Awodiji etc etc

And my brother, friend, business partner and soul mate, Zik Zulu Okafor. How can I thank you enough? For the love of me, you left the comfort zone, along with others, including the talented songwriter and Nollywood key player, Mike Nliam, to honour me. May God continue to be your Lead and Guide.

The Honourable personage representing my Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Raheem Olawuyi Ajulo-Opin, made it known that, as a man of the people that he truly is, he does not attend such event alone. He was looking at coming with about 20 of our people. He came with more. Continue with the good job of representing us and rest assured of our continued support, Honourable.

And the Philantropist and Politician, Hon Gbenga Oyekunle Power. Truly there is something to a name. May divine Power of the Most High continually be upon you and all your undertakings. Ditto for my friend, colleague and brother, Akin Fadeyi, from thousands of kilometres away, you actively participated. God bless you.

The Elders and mentors were also in attendance. One of them is the One I call Leader with a lot of admiration, the US based Chief Lateef Adebisi Amolegbe and his beautiful wife. Mr SG Adeleke, veteran PR Strategist and Chairman, EssGee Hotel and his wife and Chief Oladele Ibiloye and his wife.

My in-laws, as usual, rally round Omo Oloku and his wife to make the day great. Our daughters’ in-laws at Epe, Offa and Ikorodu were equally magnanimous. Ese modupe. A a pe fun ra wa.

Coming back home, how can I ever repay the good gestures of the serene and peaceful Professor who God is using mightily to transform the great Citadel of Learning, Al Hikmah University? Noah Yusuf makes his loud impact so quietly that only the beneficiaries can feel its positive essence. God bless you, Prof. And our Asiwaju and his wife, Engr and Engr Mrs Biodun Omoniyi. With this duo, you see the truth in the saying that God truly prepares people for certain roles. May the Good Lord continue to bless you with all you require to lead us.

And our Club, the Dynamic People’s Club Okeya-Ipo, under the leadership of Aare Ismaila Bello. I’m truly humbled by your full and active participation in the event. May our Club continue to grow bigger and better.

Ditto for Lagos Country Club. I cannot thank enough our amiable President, Seyi Adewunmi, Squash Section Chairman, Semoore Badejo, my brother and former President, Chief Tajudeen Akande, my friend and Customs Chief, Haniel Hadison, Mr Bode Falore for their presence and presents.

Omupo Grammar School Old Students Association OGSSA, as usual, formed a solid support backing for yours truly. I can not find the appropriate word with which to appreciate the gesture. May God reward you all abundantly.

And my friends and brothers of Igbaja Country Club. May God continue to strengthen our friendship and bless our endeavours.

I cannot end this piece without a word of appreciation to the ones I refer to as Generation Next, ably led by Olanike Omali and her loving husband, General Joseph Omali. Members of this class- Adejoke, Adetoun Taiwo, Kehinde, Adebanke, Yusuf, Tosin etc worked tirelessly, expended quality time and resources to ensure that Mama got a befitting parting reception. God’s grace and favour will continue to be upon you guys.

Adieu, Yeye-Oba. Continue to rest in Aljanah Firdaus moomi. . Aaamin.