•Details Of The 2 Day Burial Rites In KOGI State
Thursday, February 11th and Saturday, February 12th, 2021, will forever remain remarkable days for the entire family of Ajulo, as their brother, father and grandfather, the late Chief Stephen Kolawole Ajulo, the Baba Ijo of Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Aiyetoro, Gbede was finally laid to rest in his home town, Aiyetoro, Gbede, Kogi State.
The late Chief Stephen Kolawole Ajulo, undoubtedly, lived a very fulfilled life. His goodwill speaks for him among the family members in his hometown, Aiyetoro, Gbede where he lived before his demise. He has left his footprints on the sand of time. Though, he is survived by a wife, children, grandchildren, friends, cousins, and siblings, but according to his first son, Olusegun Ajulo, his memory will continue to linger on. “My dad was a good and kind man. He provided for members of his family and made sure his children had the guidance they needed. I am grateful for my dad and I miss him every day. Today, I am remembering my dad and the great memories we shared. He was one of a kind and my best friend. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of him and smile. My father was my biggest fan and my greatest role model. I could call him at any time and he always had a solution to my problem. Life is different without him, but I am grateful I got to call him my dad. My dad was my hero. He was the most courageous and resourceful man. I never questioned if he loved or cared for me because he made it so obvious. I still feel him being with me each day and I am living a life for both of us now. Dad, your strength gave us a sense of protection. Now, that you are in heaven, I know you will continue to protect us. Thanks for being our dad”.
The final burial ceremony of the late Chief Stephen Kolawole Ajulo was regarded a one in town. Olusegun Ajulo and his siblings spent big to make the days memorable. Many guests had arrived 2 days to the big day. What about security? It was top-notch, as they made provision for all the security agencies you could ever think of, even the local ones. They were all strategically positioned on the routes that lead to Kogi State, no matter where you are coming from. Many guests could as well testify to the effort of all the children of the deceased in making sure that all their guests were protected. They sent out directions to all guests via WhatsApp, and there was no record of any accident, robbery or kidnapping throughout the event. Head of City People Tv, SUNDAY ADIGUN and Photo Journalist, ABDULRASHEED SANNI, witnessed the event and bring exclusive gist. Enjoy it.
LET’S START WITH THE WAKE
The sleepy town of Aiyetoro, Gbede in Kogi State came alive on February 11th, 2021 as guests from all over the world came to the town, to bid a great man farewell. The remains of the late Chief Stephen Kolawole Ajulo were taken from the mortuary to his residence. Words cannot describe how the whole town, family, members, friends and well-wishers came out en mass to receive the children and the remains of the late Chief Ajulo, who many refer to, in their tributes as a great man in all ramifications.
The final burial rites started that night with Christian wake, and without gainsaying, looking at the numbers of the people, who turned up for the wake the late Chief Ajulo was, undoubtedly, a great man, the whole place was thronged not only by the guests as almost 80% of the whole town came to check what was going on.
The wake was properly conducted by the Officiating Ministers from the church where the late Chief Stephen Kolawole Ajulo was the Baba Ijo. Few people were also given the opportunity to speak about Baba, and it was a positive speech all-throughout. They all speak on how the late Chief Ajulo made an impact on their lives and many things they were going to miss about him.
AJULO’S LYING IN STATE
The remains of the late Chief Stephen Ajulo were well preserved in a beautifully decorated room, in one of the rooms at his residence. On this day, family members, friends, and well-wishers were already dressed gorgeously for the lying-in-state. The undertakers were on top of their game as expected. About 9:30 am, the corpse was brought out, amid the beating of drums and blowing of trumpets.
IIPEC DOES WONDERFULLY WELL
We can’t, but talk about the performance of this wonderful group. They are called IIPEC, and their slogan is service to humanity. What they specialized in is paying last respect to every notable personality, especially if one belongs to their group. They made the lying-in-state look very attractive and classic. They were neatly dressed. Some dressed in a completely white outfit, while others dressed in white and navy blue. Their professional ways of parading the remains of the late Chief Stephen Kolawole Ajulowas was top notch. After which the body was moved to the church.
St PETER’S ANGLICAN CHURCH CONDUCTS BURIAL SERVICE
The church service commenced about 10am, at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Aiyetoro, Gbede, where Chief was the Baba Ijo before his demise. The men of IIPEC were already at the entrance of the church with an ambulance that carried the remains of Chief Stephen Kolawole Ajulo, waiting for the Officiating Ministers to receive them. At the entrance of the church auditorium, ushers checked guests temperature, sanitizing their hands and giving them face mask before they entered the church , and they did it for all guests of over 1,000 who came to church. The remains of the late Chief Stephen Kolawole Ajulo were received into the church premises, and the service was conducted in accordance with Anglican church’s doctrine, followed by thanksgiving and prayers for the family.
AT THE INTERMENT
The grave of the late Chief Ajulo was erected right in front of the Church Auditorium, which is quite unusual in many churches, but one of the ministers said they had to do it, to show how much they respected him and also in honouring him for his good deeds and contribution to the growth of the church. The preacher also mentioned that Chief Ajulo singlehanded tiled the church, out of many of his goodwill deeds. All the children and family members paid their last respect accordingly, before moving to the reception ground.
THE RECEPTION
Entertainment of guests took place at one of the big school fields at Aiyetoro, Gbede. 2 giant canopies were erected for guests and a small one for the band. The field and the tent were beautifully decorated with roses. There were ushers in each canopy to welcome guests to their tables. All the servers were on point and they made sure that everyone was okay, with different kinds of food and assorted drinks.
FUNSHO ADEOLU & OFFICER GAJI COMPERE
Popular actors, Funsho Adeolu and Sola Olaibi popularly known as Officer Gaji, were the Mcs of the day. Trust any event where these two great actors compere, you are sure of great delivery. They made sure all the guests enjoyed the event with their comedy and professional ways of compering events.
ALAYO SINGER THRILLS GUESTS
One of the waves-making Juju singers, rocking Kogi State, is Alayo singer. He thrilled guests with his melodious songs. The beauty of his performance came to fore when the first son of the deceased, Olusegun and his wife, Stella were called to dance. There were lots of dramas and exchange of dollars and nairas notes from Stella and many of Segun’s friends who came from abroad to support him, they enjoyed Alayo singer to the fullest.
WHAT STELLA AJULO SAID ABOUT HER FATHER-IN-LAW
Popular Stella Ajulo, the owner of celebrity timeout is the wife of the first son, Olusegun Ajulo. She played host to many guests right from the day the event started. Hear what she said about her father-in-law: “It is so sad to hear you left us without a warning, not even a goodbye. And I can’t stop asking why? But again, it is a loving memory for me when I think about the life of my father-in-law during the short time we spent together. Those memories will remain with me forever … I came into your family not knowing what I would find, I was nervous and afraid, you gently eased my mind. You made me feel right at home from the very first day we met. You welcomed me with open arms, you always encouraged me with your kind words no matter what went wrong “, I respect your simplicity and love for everyone around you … Daddy, words are not enough to describe your person and your love for your children and grandchildren … your passion for success and drive for excellence cannot be overemphasized … Nothing can erase memories of you from my heart and I am forever grateful to God for giving me an amazing father-in-law, who loved me like as one of his very own. Daddy goodnight I will always love and cherish everything about you”
WHAT BABA’S WIFE, MADAM FLORENCE IFEDUN AJULO, SAID ABOUT HER LATE HUSBAND
God be the glory for the great things He has done! My dear husband, your exit came when no one expected it on that faithful morning of Tuesday, 29th December 2020. You lived a well-known life as a lover of humanity and you were a loving father to many. You reached out to your family members and the needy in-spite of constraints. On the day of your departure, we talked all night up to 4.30 am and then I asked you to let us pray as we were preparing to sleep. I prayed and you responded to my prayers with Amen throughout the prayers and afterward, you started to give thanks to God as you listed everything God promised you and helped you to accomplish in your life. We then slept and at about 6 am I tried to wake you up, but you didn’t answer me anymore. I remember you telling me before, that God told you when He was ready to call you home to be with Him it will be in your sleep and that was exactly what happened. You left peacefully in your sleep. Your exit will be greatly felt, but our God loves you more than we do and this is our comfort and confidence. We shall meet again at the bosom of our Lord. Adieu! Adieu! Sleep on my beloved husband.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LATE CHIEF STEPHEN KOLAWOLE AJULO
Stephen Kolawole Ajulo was born on the 16th August 1942, to the family of Chief and Mrs Benjamin Obanawu Ajuloof Odobukun Quarters, Aiyetoro Gbede.
Chief and Mrs B. O. Ajulo were among the early members of Saint Peter’s Anglican Church Aiyetoro, Gbede.
The church, which has its own well-known history, was the strong foundation of the village (now a town) named at first Gilgal (a place of peace). It was later renamed Aiyetoro, Gbede for easy pronunciation for the people.
Like the other Christian children born within the church, Stephen Kolawole was christened and baptized by the church and he grew up in the church culture.
This culture of discipline, honesty, humility and the fear of God built in him a strong character and a love for people no matter their background.
The peculiar character of Stephen Kolawole was that he loved excellence and a good work of perfection in all things he lay his hands on to do. He was quite forward-thinking for his generation and he sought always to see that his beloved town and its people become progressive. The love for value and distinction that Stephen had sometimes made people who didn’t know him well enough think he was stubborn and unbending in his ways. The ultimate is that he wanted the best for everyone.
Stephen Kolawole Ajulo completed his primary education in 1956 at the CMS Primary School, Aiyetoro Gbede, after which he obtained his GCE’O’-Levels from FSC in 1962.
He went on to get a Diploma in Accounting from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 1966, after which he got his ACCA Certification (Parts 1-3) from 1967-1968.
He joined NNDC Kaduna as an Accountant/Management trainee in 1967/68 and was later seconded to Turners Building Products West Africa LTD as a Works Accountant in 1972/73. By 1980, Stephen was promoted to the position of Commercial/Marketing Manager. He worked this position diligently and so excellently that he was recognised and appointed the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the company in 1984.
He retired from Turners Building Products West Africa LTD in 1991 to set up and establish Wellcrete Building Products Nigeria Limited in 1991/92. He handed over this company to NNDC in 1999 to retire to his private life and business.
Stephen loved to learn and one of the ways he did this was by traveling the world, he also had a great love for Architecture and Design and he dedicated a lot of his time to this while designing beautiful homes for friends and family.
Stephen Kolawole Ajulo was well seasoned and had a wealth of experience. He was married and blessed with children and grandchildren to the glory of God.
We are grateful for His life well lived and a great legacy left behind!
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