•Details Of The 2 Day Party In IBADAN
Penultimate the weekend, family, friends and associates of the Anifowoses gathered in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State. It was the final burial of Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo Florence Anifowose, who died Monday 15th February 2021, at the age of 78. Mama definitely lived a fulfilled life and she was given a befitting burial. It was, indeed, a celebration of a life well spent for Mama. The party was a 2-day affair, during which the immediate family, friends and children and grandchildren of the deceased paid their last respect.
On Thursday 4th March 2021, the burial program kicked off with Service of Songs and Christian Wake at Mama’s residence, Anifowose House No2, Mosque Close, Irorun Oluwa Estate, Safem Bus/Stop, Soka, Ibadan.
The following day, Friday 5th March 2021, there was Lying-in-State, after which Funeral Service took place also at Mama’s residence. The service was conducted by the men of God from Four Square Gospel Church, Shalom Zone. Interment and entertainment of guests followed immediately also at Mama’s residence. It was a glamorous party. All to eat and to drink were made available. Psalmist Adeolu Music supplied melodious tunes to the amazement of those who graced the party. Dammy Catering supplied sumptuous dishes at the party.
City People Magazine’s Correspondent, ‘Dare Adeniran was at the party and here presents to you some hot gists from the well-attended party. Read on.
ABOUT DEACONESS OLUWAFUNMILAYO ANIFOWOSE
Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo Florence Anifowose was a woman with great heart, a people’s person; kind and gentle in spirit. She was a follower of Christ till the end-reason some call her “Iya Adura”.
She was born in Ibadan (Ekotedo Street) in 1943, Oyo State Nigeria, to the family of Oisa Jacob Aribisege and Mama Felicia Bolaji Aribisege of Ikere-Ekiti (then Ondo State, Nigeria).
Both her parents later moved to the city of Ibadan for business. She was the eldest member of the 4th generation of the Olumiluwa descendants in Ikere-Ekiti.
She moved to Ibadan with her parents in the 50s and began her primary school education which she completed. She couldn’t continue her education through higher learning because of the death of her father. Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo loved trading and because of this, she moved to Lagos to start a business. She didn’t only start a business, she fell in love with her late husband, Chief Rasak Abubakar Anifowose in 1962.
Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo Florence Anifowose aka “Mama Pupa” or “Mama Ibadan” was a devout Christian who loved God, people and children. She was a great counselor who used words of comfort to soothe anyone during their challenging times.
She was a faithful and dedicated child of God, who served in numerous groups and activities. She was an active member of Saint Paul Anglican Church, Yemetu, Ibadan, and others before she became a member of the Church Choir at Four Square Parish, Olaogun, Iwo Road, Ibadan. She lived in the United Kingdom for a short period.
She later moved to the United States in 2014 and became a member of the Elder’s group at RCCG, Jesus House, Chicago (JHC), USA. Her life and memories will be cherished forever with those she left behind. She is survived by children, grand and great-grandchildren, in-laws, extended family and friends.
OFFICIATING MINISTERS AT THE FUNERAL SERVICE
It would be stating an obvious to say Late Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo Anifowose was a devout Christian in her lifetime. She served in God’s vineyard with everything she had. She was not referred to as “Mama Adura” for the sake of it; she was a prayer warrior and mentor to many, both young and old. No wonder the Four Square Gospel Church’s members and ministers of God, from within and outside Ibadan, stood by the family all through. Some of the officiating ministers at the glorious funeral service include Rev. Kayode Ojediran; Rev. (Mrs) Yinka Ojediran; Rev. (Mrs) Akinwale from Ife District; Pastor Hezekiah Akinpelu; Pastor (Mrs) Yinka Morohunkeji; Pastor Segun Olageye and Pastor Solomon Adejesu.
MEET MAMA’S LOVELY CHILDREN
Deaconess Oluwafunmilayo Florence Anifowose and her husband of blessed memory were blessed with lovely children. They are all doing wonderfully well in their various chosen fields. A good number of them live abroad. They are one well-knitted family. They are Bukky Anifowose; Abiodun Anifowose-Adegoke; Wale Don Anifowose; Deola Anifowose; Adekunle Anifowose; Olumide Anifowose and Olasumbo Adebisi-Shittu.
WITH LOVE FROM LONDON
Though there were lots of people who came from abroad because of the party, buy very visible were the Unique Friends from London. They are Abiodun Anifowose’s friends. The list includes Bunmi Akanke; Kemi Ajike; Bola Faniyi; Bose Ashake; Tutu Aileru and a whole lot of others.
TOP SOCIETY WOMEN WHO Shone AT PARTY
Despite the COVID-19 protocols as duly observed at the party, top celebrities still turned out, and some high-flying society women were not left out. Some of these society women really stood out at the party, in dressing and style. They were looking glamorous in their various attires. They include Otunba Ranti Koiki; Durowara Bolanle; Sanusi Abiola; Funmi Matesun (Funmzy); Kemi Fadeyi; Bunmi Apapa; Oluremi Gold; Bola Sanusi and Otunba (Dr.) Ronke Kolade Carew (Rotex).
BUKKY ANIFOWOSE’S FRIENDS DAZZLED TOO
Bukky Anifowose is an accomplished woman by all standards. She is beautiful, stylish and sociable. She is also a lovable person. That explained why her friends came to the party with full force and supported their own. They also made fashion statements at the party. They are Otunba Ranti Koiki; Toyin Akeredolu; Foluso Kehinde; Yinka Onigbinde and others.
THE ROYAL PRESENCE
Oba (Dr) Olushino Adedayo Adekoya, Oba Mero-(Erinshiba 1), the Legusen of Ode-Ule Kingdom was not left out of action at the party. Kabiyesi came with his two oloris; Olori Bolajoko Adekoya and Olori Adeyemi Adekoya.
THE ROLL CALL
Pastor Aduragbemi; Prince Taye Olowogbedu; Seun Kolawole with his sister, Kemi Odunmbaku; Lanre Alayo; Demola Taiwo; Wale Giwa-Bobakeye; Adedayo Adedeji; Oluremi Gold; Bunmi Apapa; Dele Galaxy; Pastor & Mrs K. Odebiyi; Folashade Omolaya; Aderinto Olayinka; Oluwabukola Odebudo; Odebudo Feyisayo; Oluwatosin Kuteyi; Bolanle Anuoluwapo; Taibat Amope Majeks; Taiwo Sikiru Ibrahim; Mrs. Bolanle Iroja; Mrs. Bose Abowaba; Adedayo Kuti; Adetutu Aileru; Amudat Merenge; Tinuke Agbeke; Chief (Mrs) Fausat Aileru!; Hajia Fatimo Folawewo; Folayemi Agarahu; Seun Kolawole; Omolola Adeyemi; Nike Akinwumi-Ayodele; Foluso Kehinde and several others who are too numerous to mention.
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