PRINCE SAMUEL ADEDOYIN’S DAUGHTER, OLUFUNKE BURIED IN LAGOS

These are sad times for the Adedoyin family. Two weeks ago, precisely 28th September 2018, the Kwara family lost its illustrious daughter, Princess Olufunke Deborah Adedoyin, the former minister of State for Women Affairs and Youth Development and later minister of State for Health, at 56. Members of the House of Representatives where she holds sway went into deep mourning as the news of her death filtered town.

It was a shocking moment for the family especially her father who is the Chairman of Doyin group of companies, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, her son, Tamilore ,friends and families she left behind. The late Princess who is also an accomplished politician,an outstanding administrator died in Abuja, after she returned from abroad for medical treatment. City people Society Editor, TAYO FAJORIN OYEDIJI (08111811219) was there.

One of the prestigious parishes of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pavilion Parish in Victoria Island hosted the 2 day burial and they put up a very befitting burial ceremony ambience all in the honour of one of their members, Olufunke Adedoyin The deceased and her family are strong members of the church so they took it upon themselves and welcomed everyone nicely and properly for the 2day service.The pastor who presided over the services were pastor Biyi Famoyegun,Pastor Kalu Nwosu, Pastor Taiwo Ademosu,Pastor Niyi Duroye and others.

If tears could bring back the dead, then Olufunke must have come back to life with the magnitude of people who stormed his burial activities to pay their last respect to the woman who is uttermost in their lives. Funke died on Friday, 28th of September,2018. She was born on June 14, 1962.

She was committed to Mother Earth on Friday, 12th October at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens. Her burial activities started with a Service of songs on Tuesday, October 9, at the State Banquet Hall, Ilorin by the Kwara State government. Also on October 9 , another service of songs was held at A Class Event Centre, Abuja.

The wake keep service was at BICS Garden,Lekki and at Redeemed Christian church of God, Pavilion Parish, Victoria Island. It was witnessed by several of her colleagues, business partners, friends, relations, families and well-wishers from all walks of life who came to pay their last respect to one of their own. All of her life she held tightly to her passion for politics and finally succumbed while still serving her state and nation at large, she was appointed as the Minister Of State For Women Affairs And Youth Development and later Minister Of State For Health.

She is an accomplished writer with defunct National Concord,Convener of Princess Olufunke Trust, Managing Partner of Honeycrest Nigeria Limited and honourable member of the house of representative before she took her bow. She attended Centre for Business Studies, Greenwich, London ,Buckhinghamshire  College of Higher Education, Buckinghamshire University, Slough College Of Higher Education, University of Kent, all in UK where she bagged BSC,DMS and MA degrees. She is survived by her son, Oluwatamilore Dada, her father and siblings.

How can Tamilore be comforted if not for God to comfort him. He has no sibling. He is the only child of his mum and only son. Born and bred in the UK , he flew home to attend the burial of his mum. He was sad, yet he was courageous by patting people on their back to stop crying. He also read out a glowing tribute about her mum at the wake keep service.

It was not what he should expect, Funke was hail and hearty though after going through series of medical treatments abroad, but she gave up the ghost suddenly without bidding goodbye to her father whom she fondly calls, her “best friend” of many decades. He was the worst hit because they seem very close and this showed in how broken he was when he got the news. He also did the unexpected and unusual by writing a deep thinking tribute to his late daughter whom he described as his closest confidant amongst all his children.

Wife of the Senate President, Toyin Saraki was at the burial and kept a straight and unhappy face all through. This was because Olufunke was one of their dependable and loyal officials in Kwara state as well, as beyond his official duties. They are very close and shared a great bond before she breathe her last.She was sighted in a deep grey lace and when it was time for tributes at the funeral service, she was completely short of words She just eulogized how deeply she will miss her.

The burial was attended by all the Adedoyin children, Olufunke’s siblings and families from far and near.They were both at the wake keep service and funeral. They all wore a silver lace and grey headgear all through. They paid their last respect to the deceased whom they all fondly call “SISTER” when they asked for her casket to be opened during church service, this moment was tough as they all shed uncontrollable tears..

The Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo is very popular within the Christian folds and despite leaving Redeemed Church to set up his own church, he still has a very strong affiliation with The Redeemed Church as a whole, especially with the pastors. Hardly will you see any redeemed event that he is not always present. He is most loved amongst many and he was called upon to pray for the family of the deceased.

Late Olufunke’s colleagues at every parastatal she has worked were all at the burial, especially members of the House Of Rep where she held sway until her death. They couldn’t have been any where else most especially her close pals.Majority of them stormed the burial service in full force and also chipped in one or 2 tributes to the deceased.

Funke’s goodwill will not be forgotten in a hurry, in the politics of Kwara State because she was a true daughter of the state which she has represented well in all aspects. This is one of the many reasons the number one citizen of Kwara State, Gov. Ahmed and his beautiful wife, Omolewa stormed Lagos for the burial. The governor was just quiet all through because they could not come to terms with funke’s death.He has known Funke since 19 years ago. Funke was fully committed to the advancement of the interest of the South Senatorial District of Kwara State. She is the Convener as the Kwara South agenda.

Funke’s family and friends as a whole could still not come in terms with her death but they had given everything up to God as they have all said in the teary tributes,their tributes could not be read without a tear drop and most of them were at the service of songs and funeral service. Some of them were from her siblings and friends, Hon Ololade Onakoya,Vice President ,Atiku Abubarka,Chairman of Dangote group, Omolola Abiola Edewor,freeman George amadin, Babatunde Ogunade and many others.