The city of Ibadan was on a standstill as Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo Osinbajo; All Progressives Congress chieftain, Bola Tinubu, on Friday, stormed the city for the burial of the late Chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc., Reverend Omotola Oyediran.
The burial service, whoch was held at the All Saints Church, Jericho, Ibadan, also had in attendance four South West governors: the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.
The retired Archbishop of Methodist Church, Nigeria, Most Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu, in his sermon, said the late Oyediran took after her parents, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and the late Chief Hannah Awolowo, in service to humanity, kindness and integrity.
The clergyman maintained that the virtues of the Awolowo family rubbed off on her and were evident in the impactful life which she lived.
Recalling the exploits of great Nigerian women such as the late Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Efunroye Tinubu, Efunsetan Aniwura, Moremi Ajasoro, among others, the clergy said, “Today, we are celebrating a woman of virtues and valour, who gave much love and support from her homebase to Nigerians.”
Dwelling on the topic, ‘Celebrating saintly womanhood as a tool for nation-building,’ Ladigbolu said “Today, we gather to celebrate a pious and righteous woman who symbolised a tool for nation-building.”
Ladigbolu, who read from the second book of Timothy, chapter 1, verse 5, stated, “We are celebrating a woman from great parentage. While celebrating Oyediran, we cannot forget the influence and massive impacts of her parents on the citizenry. Whatever attributes God had endowed Oyediran with, she got it from her parents.
Also at the service include the deceased’s sister, Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu; former Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; the APC chairman in Oyo State, Akin Oke; Niyi Akintola (SAN), Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade, amongst others.
Omotola, the eldest daughter of the late sage, was to celebrate her 80th birthday on December 1 but passed on October 17.
