•Details Of The 2-Day Burial Rites For Olori ADEWALE BEATRICE AINA
On Thursday and Friday, December 23 and 24 2021, the city of Lagos went agog as a classy burial was thrown to celebrate the life and time of Queen Beatrice Aina Adewale, a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who passed on at the ripe age of 98.
The
burial was far from mourning, it can be best described as a carnival.
Everything put in place for an effective ceremony was top-notch. Starting from
the entourage that went to pick Mama’s remains from the morgue, down to the
Christian wake, church service, the internment and reception party, there were a series of talking points that painted the kind of life Mama Adewale lived.
Let’s
also quickly tell you that the funeral rite thrown for Olori Adewale was the
definition of luxury even in death. Should we mention the Escalade that led the
convoy that took Mama’s remains from the morgue down to the venue of the lying
in state or the way cash was flying about at the reception party? We have not
even mentioned how MC Jimi-Jairo and Woli Agba thrilled the guests. Should we
also mention the stunts Mama’s grandchildren threw at the wake or how tears
flowed at the gravesite?
Have
we also mentioned how there was more than enough to eat at every stage of the
ceremony? Not many people would see how Budweiser beer came with drums of beer
to share to beer lovers in cups and the after-party bash.
The
event also showed that when you have good friends that can watch your back, you
may as well go to bed after committing assignments into their care. This was
the exact analysis of the roles played by Mr Omotayo Joshua and Mr Bosun
Agboola aka Bossman who were practically everywhere ensuring that everything is
in order.
DAMILARE SALAMI 08155134152 and Senior Photojournalist,
Abdulrasheed Sanni were present on both days and in this report, they bring you
all the behind the scene gists as well as beautiful pictures from the event.
Below are excerpts, enjoy.
ABOUT
OLORI BEATRICE AINA ADEWALE (1923-2021)
Mama
Beatrice Aina Adewale Nee Beatrice Aina Ajileye Ayun popularly called Eyee
Beatrice Ayana. She was born to the family of late Pa. Ajileye Ayun and late
Mrs Ogunsemokun Asao Ajileye Ayun at Are’s quarters Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti South by
then in the late 1923. Mama’s father died before her birth which caused a lot
of step backs in her early age. Mama was the last born of her parents, she had
three siblings before her but not of the same father. One of them who happened
to be a male child of her mother took care of mama. Mama grew up to know this
man as her father, late Pa. Joshua Giwa Adu. Mama was loved by every member of
her family both in her maternal and paternal side because she possessed a good
and loving character even till her death. She can go to any length to render
any assistance to anybody that comes her way. All the tenants that lived with
her knew mama as iya alaanu meaning a kind woman, she also stretched her hand
to the needy.
Mama
was a virtuous woman, a lover of all her children without the exemption of
none. She guided her loins with strength for the survival of her children. As
old as mama was she had the list of names and pictures all her children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren to pray for them at all time.
MIGHTY
CONVOY HEADED TO THE MORGUE
Leaving
Magodo Phase I estate in Shangisha Lagos, on Thursday morning was a very long
entourage of more than 25 luxurious cars that headed to the morgue for Mama’s
remains as preparation for the funeral rites began. The vehicles had all Mama’s
children and their spouses, the grandchildren, immediate family members and
very close associates. There were security officials on duty who made sure that
there was free-flow traffic for all road users all through the journey.
OMEGA
FUNERAL HOME WAS IN CHARGE
The
trip landed at Omega Funeral Home located at Ojodu Abiodun, a border town
between Lagos and Ogun State. The undertakers were fully prepared and their performance
left good memories on the minds of those in attendance. The outfit on the first
day was a well designed white polo shirt with Mama’s image beautifully engraved
in it. It gave a clear description of the event but more importantly, it looked
more like a carnival than a funeral.
MEET MAMA’S CHILDREN
Mama
died empty after living a very fulfilled life. Let’s be the first to tell you
that virtually all of Mama’s children are ministers of God either directly or
indirectly. First among her children is Pastor Mrs Stella Bolatito Farotimi,
Deaconess Popoola Aderonke Esther, Lady Evangelist Janet Oluwayemisi, Mrs
Odubola Adenike Helen and the only surviving son, crowned prince Adewale
Aderibigbe Adetayo.
CHRISTIAN
WAKE HELD AT MRA OPEN GROUND
At about 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 23,
2021, the Magodo Residential Area (MRA) Open Ground had come alive with a blast
of heavenly minded tunes welcoming guests one after the other as they gathered
for the Wake of the late Mama Beatrice Adewale.
It
was an all-white affair and this gave the atmosphere some heavenly look as
Mama’s remains was wheeled to the decorated banquet for the lying in state.
Although it wasn’t a moment to grief but the thought of missing a beloved
mother and grandmother moved some of the children to tears. The lying in state
didn’t take too much time but it was very emotional and memorable too.
MAMA’S
GRANDCHILDREN THREW EMOTIONAL PERFORMANCE
One
of the most touching parts of the wake was the performance of Mama’s
grandchildren. It was a music rendition composed by the children but it left
their parents and other family members in tears. The rendition saw one of
Mama’s granddaughters on the drums while her grandson was on the piano. After
much emotion had been poured out, Prince Adetayo who is popularly known as
Jarule led the cash spray on the beautiful angels before other siblings joined
the train.
PRINCESS
AROLAKE ADEWALE WEPT PROFUSELY
Not
many people caught Princess Arolake Adewale, the wife of Prince Adewale Adetayo
weeping so profusely but City People did. She was caught on camera while the
grandchildren were having their rendition. However, she was wrapped in the
loving arms of her husband who ensured that she wasn’t left alone. Of a truth,
not many wives are sincerely in love with their mothers-in-law but Princess
Arolake cannot be named among such women. After a while, she was required to
share some of her experiences with Mama and she couldn’t because her emotions
couldn’t bear the loss of a near-perfect mother-in-law.
GIVE
IT TO BOSSMAN AND MR TAYO JOSHUA
Many
people played different roles at the event but some people were very
outstanding. Worthy of mention is Mr. Omotayo Joshua and Mr Bosun Agboola aka
Bossman who ensured that every part of the event went as planned. If any
success is accrued to the event, these two men will share a large portion of
the accolades. They were virtually everywhere, making sure that there were no
hitches and in places where problems arose, they were spontaneously providing
solutions to such problems.
GREEN
WAS THE COLOUR OF THE DAY
Everywhere
was green. The Ankara Aso-Ebi took over the church and reception hall. But
beyond that, the fashion statement made at the party was highly classy. Mama’s
children also stunned in green and red Aso-Ofi before changing into another
shade of green lace for the reception party.
BRIEF
BUT HIGHLY SPIRITUAL CHURCH SERVICE
Day 2 of the event started as Mama’s remains arrived at the church for the last
time. The programme held at RCCG Lagos Province 2, Israel Assembly situated at
Plot 8, Jobi Fele Way, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos. The service wasn’t very prolonged
like the usual burial services in other denominations but it was very effective
and spiritual.
Pastor
Abiodun Williams in his message revealed that there is nothing to fear about
death because it is merely a means of transition to another phase of life. He
rounded off his message with a prayer session for the family and Mama’s
children especially. Other ministers of God in attendance also joined the
prayer session.
MAMA
FINALLY LAID TO REST
Fast-forward
to the cemetery where mama’s remains was committed to the mother earth, it was
no other than the Omega Funeral Home cemetery in Ojodu Abiodun, Ogun State.
Mama was laid to rest amidst luxury and mixed emotions. As the children were
celebrating a transition into glory, they were also very emotional; being
humans, they will sorely miss their beloved mother whom they all refer to as
their pillar and backbone. Pastor Abiodun Williams conducted the funeral
service before everyone departed to the reception party.
CANAAN
LAND EVENT CENTER HOSTS RECEPTION Party
After
much emotion, it was time to party and this was done in a big way. The Canaan
Land Event Center in Ojodu, Lagos was the most appropriate venue for the party.
It is not just about its proximity to the cemetery, it is a luxury venue with
classy facilities. Within a few hours, the venue had been totally transformed
into a haven. The atmosphere set the mood right for party time.
MC
JIMI-JAIRO, WOLI AGBA TURNED THE VENUE UPSIDE DOWN
Fast-rising
compere, MC jimi-Jairo is gradually becoming a household name in the
entertainment industry. He was the compere at the event and he did it alongside
popular gospel comic act, Woli Agba. They both cracked up the guests and got
much love in return. The event went on without anyone being bored because MC
Jimi-Jairo and Woli Agba entertained the guests far beyond their expectations.
It was indeed a perfect combination.
THE
EAGLES INTERNATIONAL BAND PERFORMED WONDERS
One
of the things that gave the event the typical Naija Owambe face was the
performance of the live band. The Eagles International Band headed by Omoba
Orun thrilled so tirelessly that he became a talk of the town at the event. The
band is no doubt one of the best in the country and with performances like this
coming up week-in, week-out, they will definitely take their place among the
stars.
THE
SIFAX GROUP TURNED UP
Give
it to the SIFAX Group, they represented their brand so well at the party.
Everyone knows that this group is a conglomerate and it is one of the biggest
brands that have faces in almost every sector in Nigeria. The SIFAX Group came
through for Prince Adewale Adetayo. A further finding by City People revealed
that he is also a strong member of the group. To say that they sprayed cash at
the event would simply be undermining them. You needed to see what went down
there by yourself.
WHAT
ABOUT THE COMMITTEE OF FRIENDS?
They
had the last dance but it simply meant that the best was saved for the last.
The committee of friends is a group of friends and professionals in different
walks of life. They came through for one of their own, Prince Adewale Adetayo
but they came in a big way. They were dressed in black Agbada with the same
design and some of them came with their spouses. They spent heavily on the
celebrants both on and off the stage.
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