• For Their Mum’s Burial
• Details Of The 3-Day Glamorous Event
The ancient city of Ijebu-Ode was shut down for 3-days recently, as popular Lagos business mogul, Otunba Olufemi Okenla, his elder brother, Otunba Gboyega Okenla and their lovely siblings held a talk-of-the-town burial ceremony for their mother, Chief Mrs. Florence Morenikeji Okenla (JP).
Otunba Olufemi is a respected lawyer and businessman. He is the group Chairman/CEO of the popular HDV. He plays big in the real estate and hospitality businesses. He owns the popular Ibis Hotel in Ikeja and many other top business ventures. Otunba Olufemi is the second child of his mother, and the immediate younger brother of Otunba Gboyega Okenla ESQ., a prominent chief in the Ilese Kingdom. The other surviving children of the deceased are Mrs. Ayotunde Adelaja, Mrs. Oluwafetakemi Adekoya and Oluwadurotimi Okenla. They are all doing greatly in their chosen career.
Otunba Okenla and his siblings have done remarkably well in celebrating their mother for a life well spent. They indeed held a befitting burial ceremony which lasted for 3 good days to honour her and bid her farewell.
City People Reporter, JAMIU ABUBAKAR and Photojournalist, FEMI ADELEKE travelled to Ijebu Ode to cover the glamorous ceremony. They hereby bring to you the blow by blow report of the occasion. Sit back and enjoy!
LATE CHIEF MRS. FLORENCE LIVED AN EXEMPLARY LIFE
Late Chief Mrs. Florence Morenkeji Okenla was a mother every child would be blessed to have. Her life was a total blessing to her children and everybody around her. She was born in 1942 (80 years ago), as a precious daughter of the Oba Olugbaje royal family at Imuto quarters in Ilese, a noble town under Ijebu North Local Government. Her father was the late Prince George Olufowobi of the blessed memory. She had an exemplary feature as a wife, mother, business woman and politician. She was well grounded and this showed in how she brought up her children. Despite the untimely death of her loving husband, late chief Olanrewaju Adesina Okenla, a prominent lawyer and successful business man, she was resolute in her decision solely to ensure her children were successful in life. She never gave marrying another man a thought. She engaged herself into so much work that all her children went to higher institutions. Among the many things she ventured into turned lucrative. Madam Florence no doubt achieved a lot as a business woman. She was the major distributor of ALUMACO Nigeria Ltd in Ijebu-Ode and the environs as well as the major distributor of Portland Cements in Sagamu representing Ijebu-Ode division. Madam Florence was also made a board member of Governors at Moslem Comprehensive High School, Imepe, Ijebu-Ode, and former Supervisory Councilor for Education at the Ijebu Ode Local Government.
Very importantly is how Madam Florence lived her life in service to God and humanity. This was evident as she carted numerous accolades having head many dutiful positions in the Anglican Church. A lot was said about her at various points during the 3-days burial service. The story of the life and time of Madam Florence was full of remarkable lessons that women of today can learn from to have a happy ending. She indeed used her body well as she was very active till death took her away.
HOW THE BURIAL CEREMONY WAS HELD
FOR 3 DAYS
The burial ceremony was well organized and top notch. It was highly eventful. Every aspect of the ceremony was filled with remarkable moments. The first day of the ceremony witnessed a special Tributes and Service of Songs. This was held on Thursday 15th of September, 2022 at Imuto Quarters in Ilese, a community not far from Ijebu-Ode.
The following day which was Friday 16th September, 2022 the body of the deceased was taken to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ilese for Commendation Service. In the evening of the same day, she was brought back to the Okenla Chamber where Christian Wake keep service was held.
The final burial ceremony which included a funeral service, interment and reception party was held on the third day; 17th September, 2022. The funeral service was held at The Emmanuel Church, Anglican Diocese, Italupe, Ije-Ode. This was immediately followed by the grave-side service preceding the lowering of the remains of late Chief Mrs. Florence at her residence in Ijebu-Ode. The reception party was held at the popular Gateway stadium, now known as Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode. The party was a big one as it saw Otunba Femi Okenla and his siblings host their guests to a remarkable reception.
15 ROYAL STAFFS THAT GRACED THE BURIAL SERVICE
Madam Florence was so special to the Ijebu communities at large. This was glaring as each of the occasions leading to the burial ceremony was massively attended by 15 royal highnesses. They sent their staffs of office and the inscription of them revealed names such as the Elese of Ijebu Ilese, The Magunsen Itamarun, the Obelu of Esure, The Bejeroku from Ijebu Igbo, Oyebola Igbaga, The Orugbogbo-Imoru, the Moyegeso of Itele, the Lamodi of Isiwo, The Olu of Odosengelu-Alaro, the Eleruwon of Eruwon, the Ojotomoro of Abigi, the Oluworo of Iworo, The Gbonge of Ososa and The Alara of Ilara.They all came to pay their last respect to late Chief Mrs. Florence Morenikeji Okenla. Some of them accompanied the body of the deceased to spot she was finally laid to rest.
OTUNBA FEMI OKENLA AND SIBLINGS HELD BIG RECEPTION PARTY
The reception party was more like a carnival. Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium was as busy as ever. Guests trooped in from all angles but there were capacity security personnel to check them before they were allowed into the venue. There were two massive marquees mounted at the premises of the stadium. Each of them was filled with guests in their thousands. Otunba Femi had one of the marquees for his guests. The other marquee was for Otunba Gboyega and the other siblings.
HOW OTUNBA FEMI OKENLA RECEIVED HIS GUESTS
Otunba Femi Okenla gave his guests a nice treat amidst lots of fun filled moments. The reception party was anchored by the ace comedian, Koffi while popular musician, Yinka Ayefele was on stage as he sang to entertain Otunba Femi Okenla and guests. The reception commenced after Otunba Olufemi gave a warm welcome address to his guests. He took time to extol his late mum with emphasis on how she labored to bequeath a legacy for him and his siblings. After a while of refreshing moments with Koffi, the ace comedian, and MC Kirikiri, Otunba Olufemi with his beautiful wife, Modupe and their children, Temi and his beautiful wife, Soffy, Bolaji, and Abby were called upon to the dance floor. Each of them gave a good account of their dancing skills. They danced joyfully to Yinka Ayefele’s classical music while their friends and associates approached the stage at intervals to cheer them up. They all made great fun out of the day. It was indeed filled with lots of excitement. Yinka Ayefele’s performance really made their day.
OTUNBA GBOYEGA AND HIS OTHER SIBLINGS HELD GREAT RECEPTION PARTY AT THEIR END
It was a fun extravaganza at the other marquee where Otunba Gboyega Okenla and his other siblings such as Mrs. Ayotunde Adelaja, Mrs. Oluwafetakemi Adekoya and Oluwadurotimi Okenla hosted their respective guests. Family and well wishers of the Okenla Dynasty were well received and entertained. Wave making and the highly creative Kolade Onanuga, who sings like K1 performed at his best, dazzling on stage. Otunba Olufemi Okenla was seen at intervals at this side as he came around to felicitate with his siblings and the whole family. The Okenla are a typical example of a united family.
FORMER DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE IS A TRUE FRIEND OF THE HOUSE
The ex-Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele is a true friend of the house. She stood by the Okenla family throughout the 3-days. She attended virtually all the programmes slated for the ceremony. She arrived at each of the programmes on time and stayed till the very end of them.
ROLL CALL OF GUESTS AT THE OCCASION
The occasion pulled a lot of heavy weights and high personalities into Ijebu-Ode. Notable among the high personalities that graced the reception party were former Lagos Commissioner, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) and his beautiful Wife, Federal House of Rep. Honourable Rotimi Agunsoye, the Asiwaju of Offa; Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi, Mr. Bashir Fakoree, Otunba Labi Okunsanya, Prince Adesegun Oniru, Professor Ashiru, Mr. Toyin Okeowo, Mr. Leke Salisu, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Oguntayo, KICC delegation led by Pastor Femi Faseru, Chief Tunji Olugbodi, Mr. Yinka Benson, Mr. Moshood Ajide, Mr. korede Roberts, Mr. Dolapo Balogun, Alhaji Farouk Kilani, Mr. Gbenga Lufadeju, members of the United Action Congress, members of Our Ladies of Apostle Secondary School Set 77-82 , not leaving out the highly fashionage group, Unique Sisters of Ijebu-Ode and many others.
HOW MEMBERS OF UNIQUE SISTER’S CLUB ROCKED THE PARTY
There is a group of society ladies called Unique Sisters’ Club of Ijebu-Ode. They are 20 in number and are made of beautiful and fashionable ladies. They have Madam Modupe Irmgard Okenla as their Iya Egbe. Members of this group all came to felicitate with their Iya Egbe, the beautiful wife of Otunba Femi Okenla and daughter-in-law of the deceased. They were physically present at the wake keep, church service and reception. They are all stylish and classy. Their presence at the ceremony lit the party as they commanded lots of respect and attention at all times. They did great on the dance floor when they were called upon to join Madam Modupe Okenla and her husband on the dance floor. Members of the Unique Sisters’ Club of Ijebu-Ode are its president; Yeye Adejoke Olowo, Vice; Deacon Folashade Onodemuren, Secretary; Mrs. Olasumbo Onajobi, Treasurer; Yeye Wosilat Mayungbe, Mrs. Mary Adunni Joseph, Mrs. Nurat Amoke Kolawole, Mrs. Oladunni Okenla, Mrs. Abolore Olamide, Mrs. Ifeoma Oyadele, Alhaja Adeola Odubela, Yeye Olabisi Musa, Mrs. Olusola Ojobaro, Yeye Adejoke Durojaye Saibu, Yeye Dupe Jaiyeosinmi, Alhaja Folake Ogunwa, Alhaja Bola Arigbabu, Mrs. Shola Adewumi, Mrs. Wakilat Bakare, Mrs. Adejoke Baoku, and Mrs. Yinka Okoye.
-Jamiu Abubakar
08085185886
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