Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Thursday led notable dignitaries from all walks of life at the final burial ceremony of the late Yeye Oba Alao, the mother of the Vice-Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, and Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, at Orile Igbo Community.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Laval; Kwara State Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi; the lawmaker representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Senator Yunus Akintunde; and the lawmaker representing Osun Central in the National Assembly, Ajagunla Olubiyi Fadeyi.
The list also included the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Tayo Ayinde; former first ladies of Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, and Ogun States, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, Dame Abimbola Fashola, Mrs Toyin Saraki, and Mrs Funso Amosun, respectively; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; a former member of the Senate, Senator Ayoade Adeseun; Alhaji Basiru Akanbi; and Nollywood legend, Chief Lere Paimo.
Also in attendance were former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Saheed Fijabi; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of LAUTECH, Dr Deji Omole; former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Wumi Oladeji; Chief of Staff to the Oyo State Governor, Hon Segun Ogunwuyi; Prof. Banji Akintoye; Dr Saka Balogun; prominent businessman, Dr Tunde Ayeni; traditional rulers; and state lawmakers, among others.
The burial ceremony was held at Majesty Natural Resort, Orile-Igbon, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Quoting copiously from the Scripture, the Senior Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Trinity House, Lagos, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, urged everyone to lead Christ-like lives as we will all give accounts of our deeds on earth.
According to him, as stated in the Gospel according to Saint Matthew 16:26, what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul?
In his goodwill message, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described the late Yeye Oba Alao as a loving and supportive woman.
“We are here to send forth Mama. We give the Almighty God all the appreciation for the life Mama lived.
“Mama had a humble beginning. She traded between Nigeria and Ghana early in life. She was an entrepreneur. Mama was a loving and supportive wife, according to the account that we read. She was a doting mother to her children. Despite her limited education, she spoke English, Hausa, Yoruba, and Ghanaian languages fluently.
“The fact that we are all here from across the globe shows the kind of impact Mama had. So, the question all of us here should ask ourselves is what do I want to be remembered for?” he said.
His Lagos State counterpart, Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ably represented by his Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, in his eulogy, described the late Deaconess Alao as a devoted Christian, a loving mother, and a wife.
He said, “The soul of a man is more important than all the riches and treasures in this world. Everything we acquire on earth, we’ll leave behind on earth. You buy your gold, shoes, wristwatches, mansions, etc., knowing that this life is temporary. The essential thing in life is to make it to heaven.
“I celebrate Mama Alao – a true Christian life.
“Mama loved her family so much. She was a chorister and you can see the musical talents being exhibited by her children.
“The greatest thing about Mama is that I believe she made it to heaven. From the pre-qualifications and qualifications she had, I want to believe she made it to heaven.
“Life is not worth living if you do not make it to heaven,” the cleric said.
On the attributes of his late mother, Olugbon described her as a great disciplinarian and very hard-working woman who traded in anything that she could lay her hands on.
He said, ‘Yeye Oba Alao had a passion for her husband and family, adding that she was a loyal wife who stood by her husband through thick and thin.
“She was a good mother who tried very hard to ensure that her four boys and two daughters (one deceased) turned out right and successful.
“A great disciplinarian and very hard-working woman who traded in anything that she could lay her hands on. She stood by her husband and worked very hard to bridge the financial gap while her husband tried to manage the spiritual and moral upbringing of the children.
“Iya Shola was too extremely good to persuade to a fault, she was never a rigid person, a very brave and stronghearted woman who was always ready to face life’s challenges with a strong hope of conquering.
“She was a fashionable and well-dressed mother ever fitted in dresses.”
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