• As Senate leader, Adebayo, Oni, others grace Afuye mother’s burial

From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has praised his deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, for her loyalty and support since assumption of office.

The Governor who appreciated his deputy’s supportive roles, described the almost three years working relationship with Afuye as superb, noting that he had never regretted working with her.

Governor Oyebanji gave the commendations at the funeral service of late Madam Esther Iyalaje Adegboye, the mother of the Deputy Governor, held at Saint Luke’s Anglican Church, Uro Quarters, Ikere Ekiti, on Friday.

The Governor, while addressing the congregation, commended the late Mrs Adegboye, who died on February 18, 2025 at the age of 97, for living an impactful life, saying this reflected in her contributions to Ikere community and the quality of children she raised.

 

“Today is a day of joy, though we have lost someone and no matter how old our parents are, we don’t want them to leave us. We are glad that Mama lived to a ripe age.

“The joy of it is that, she enjoyed and saw goodness at the twilight of her time. I want to congratulate my Deputy and  big aunty, Mrs Monisade Afuye, a very loyal and dependable Deputy.

“Let me use this opportunity to say thank you for your support and understanding. I never had cause to regret for once in my close to three years working relationship with you. In fact, I appreciate you for this.”

Governor Oyebanji thanked the church of God and the entire Ikere community for their support to the Deputy Governor and her siblings for the success of the burial, particularly for joining the family to give the deceased a befitting burial.

In her remarks, Mrs Afuye commended Governor Oyebanji, the First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, members of the state executive council, political leaders and Ikere community for their solidarity and honour for her late mother.

She added that she will eternally be grateful to her mother for inculcating in the children the virtues of hard work, honesty, integrity, content and humility, that have been their guiding principles and moral compass.

In his sermon, the Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Reverend Olusola Ajayi, described the world as vanity, urging Nigerians to shun greed, avarice and corruption which according him are crippling the country’s economy and shaking its foundation.

Extolling the virtues of the deceased, the Cleric said late Adegboye distinguished herself as a community leader, great women mobiliser and dependable mother, who invested in the education of her children.

Speaking against the backdrop of preponderance of fraud and substance abuse in the society, the cleric appealed to the youths to stop fraternising and keeping bad companies that can attract them into drug abuse, internet fraud and robbery, which may end up ruining their lives and all they stand for.

He also called on well meaning citizens of Ekiti State partnering the government to ramp up the level of development in all facets of the economy.

“Take a look at Chief Wole Olanipekun, he has been partnering the government to expand development in Ikere Ekiti. Don’t join those that will introduce you into alcoholism, fraud, corruption and drug abuse. Move with the right people who can influence your destinies positively.

“Let me also say this, as a rich person and a man of means, try and impact positively on the lives of those around you. Don’t treat the poor as non-existent. Help them to overcome their challenges, rather than allow them to suffer.

“Take a look at the deceased, she was a gentle woman. The Deputy Governor took after her. She always moved with the right people and look at her end. She ended well. Run away from sins and be  men of integrity and to achieve this, you must resist the devil.

“Don’t be corrupt in your working places or offices. Remember your final destination, which is heaven. Be heavenly focused, because this world is a vanity and there will be judgement after your sojourn in this world. Remember that whatever you sow, you shall reap and harvest,”

Dignitaries from within and outside the state who graced the occasion include, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; former Governors Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni; Ekiti State First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; Former First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Senators Yemi Adaramodu; and Cyril Fasuyi, Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju, among others.

Others are, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, House of Representatives members, Hon. Femi Bamisile and AVM Niyi Ojuawo.

Senators Dayo Adeyeye, Ayo Arise, and Babafemi Ojudu; Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Ekiti Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo, Legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun(SAN), former Deputy Governors Biodun Aluko, Kolapo Eleka, and Prof. Modupe Adelabu; an ICT entrepreneur and politician, Mr. Kola Alabi, members of Ekiti State Executive Council, members of Ekiti State House of Assembly, heads of security agencies, and chairmen of boards and parastatals,traditional rulers, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ekiti State and State Chairmen of local government councils, were also  present at the colourful event.