Friday 7th of October, 2022 was a celebration of life well spent as popular Lagos celebrity lady and ex-banker, Bukky Latunji and her loving siblings gave their late father, Bashorun Bandele Alfred Latunji a befitting burial ceremony in Lagos.
Bashorun Latunji was indeed a great man who lived a fulfilled life. He once worked as a private secretary with the highly influential politician, Dr. DS Majekodunmi, former Minister of Health and Administrator of West Region of blessed memory. He lived an impactful life which robbed virtually everything around him. Recently, precisely 2 years ago he was honoured with a chieftaincy title; “Bashorun Awori” by the Olota of Ota, his Royal Highness Oba Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege.
City People Reporter JAMIU ABUBAKAR and Photojournalist present a detailed report of the burial ceremony. Read and enjoy:
The entire burial ceremony in honour of the great man, Bashorun Latunji was grand and quite eventful. It was held for 3 good days and each of the days was loaded with remarkable moments.
AT THE SERVICE OF SONGS CEREMONY
On Wednesday 5th of October, 2022, the Young Christian Fellowship (YCF) of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikate-Surulere took time out to hold a memorial Service of Songs in honour of the deceased. This was held at the church and it saw members of the great church group that have been inspired by the late Bashorun Latunji in one way or the other stormed the programme to celebrate him. Some of them came from far and near to take part in the event. Many of them used the avenue to remember him for good.
HOW THE CHRISTIAN WAKE KEEP WENT
The following day; Thursday 6th October, 2022, Christian Wake Keep Service was held at the same church. The programme which began around 5pm saw a large turn-out of people, many of whom are church members, family, friends, associates, well wishers and people of the community. Many of them relished the fond moments they spent with Bashorun Latunji before his death. Indeed they will all miss the iconic man. Meanwhile the church took time to pray for the children of the deceased as they proceeded to the burial the next day.
AT THE BURIAL SERVICE
Friday 7th of October, 2022 saw the concluding part of the burial ceremony. By 10am, the body of the deceased had arrived at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikate-Surulere church premises. He was brought in a white spherical shaped casket which was designed in gold. At 10am on dot, the church received the body of the late Bashorun Latunji accompanied by his lovely children, family and their guests as they all went into the church main auditorium. The church service was conducted under the supervision of Rt. Reverend Akinpelu Johnson; the Bishop Diocese of Lagos Mainland. The church Vicar/Archdeacon; Ven. Feyi Ojelabi was fully on ground to officiate as required during the service. Other men of God that actively took part at the service include; Assisting Priests- Reverend Opelami Koleosho, Ven. Israel Adedeji, and Ven. Victor Olusa, Pastor’s Warden- Mr. Hezekiah Kolade, People’s Warden- Mr. Dapo Ojelade, Vergers-Mr. Ebenezer Oyeneyin and Barr. Benson Nweze, and the Church’s Director of Music/Choir Master-Mr. Alaba Akinsulure. Bashorun Latunji was a man who loved God and dedicated his entire life to the service of God and humanity. This was evident as a lot of complementary remarks were made on the many roles he played in the development of the church. He was a great asset to Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikate-Surulere. The burial service saw many of the groups he once led; especially the Young Christian Fellowship (YCF) and the Boy Brigade paid him last respect. Meanwhile a few classmates of Bashorun Latunji at the CMS Grammar School, Bariga also came around to bid him farewell as his body finally went to rest in the bosom of his lord.
BASHORUN LATUNJI FINALLY GOES TO REST…
After the burial service at the church, the remains of the deceased were taken to Atan Cemetery in Yaba, Lagos for interment. Family members accompanied the children to the site of the burial while their respective guests proceeded to the venue of the reception party in Surulere. The late Bashorun Latunji was survived by children who are Jumoke Bamidele, Taiwo Latunji-Omisore, Muyiwa Latunji, Bukola Latunji, Oladele Latunji Bolaji Latunji and Lola Awosika (Nee Latunji). He was also blessed with quite a number of grandchildren and great grand children.
HOW GLAMOUR SHOWN AT THE RECEPTION PARTY
Bukky Latunji and her siblings did remarkably well as they threw a big and glamorous reception party for their late father, Bashorun Bandele Alfred Latunji. The party was held at the popular Eko Club along the highbrow Bode Thomas Street in Surulere area of Lagos. Guests were entertained to the fullest. The high point of the party was when Bukky Latunji and her siblings stormed the stage one after the other to dance as the music group; Sharp Band was on stage entertaining them with good and classical music. Each child of the deceased and their respective guests had a nice time on stage while they celebrated their late father in a befitting way. The glitz and glamour at the event was quite glaring. The highly colourful event saw the hosts and their guests styled in lovely Aso-ebi designed in the complementary Lilac and Gold colours.
HOW BUKKY LATUNJI AND HUBBY STOLE THE SHOW
Worthy of note the reception party was how the ever pretty and fashionable Bukky Latunji and her charming husband, Mr. Agbabiaka rocked the party. Seeing them together gives lots of joy to many people at the party. They, no doubt, complement each other. When they stormed the stage to dance all attention was on the dance as the lovely couples had a great moment. In short they stole the show of the day as most of their friends and associates joined them on the dance floor to cheer them on. They also gave their guests the best of receptions as their official caterer, Light Agos Foods, was really at work serving them sumptuous meals amidst other refreshments on request.
