Local hunters’ 21-gun salute highlights General Adebayo’s Ekiti lying-in-state

The people of Ekiti State trooped out in their thousands, on Friday, to honour the late elder statesman, General Adeyinka Adebayo, at a lying-in-state and tribute ceremony organised by the state government.

At the event held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State had ordered the local hunters, who added colour to the event, to give the General a 21-gun-salute, which was about the high point of the tribute ceremony on the day.

The various stakeholders in the state, among whom were the children and family members, led by the first civilian governor of the state, Chief Niyi Adebayo; Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE); Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti Old Boys Association, Ekiti Parapo Organisation, top indigenes of the state, including the Secretary General of YCE,  Dr Kunle Olajide, Mr. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, were all part of the elaborate ceremony.

In their various tributes, they recalled the various contributions of the late General to the development of Ekiti State and other parts of the South West Region of Nigeria and commended him for the development.

Governor Ayodele Fayose, who initiated the event told the local hunters to give the departed general a 21-gun salute.

The venue of the event was filled to the brim, as people clad in Ankara (Aso Ebi) adorned with  the portrait of General Adebayo  and danced to all sorts of  music being produced by local musicians.

The long convoy of vehicles that escorted the motorcade of LTJ Undertakers Limited that conveyed Adebayo’s body sauntered into the burial arena at about 2.08pm and was received by mammoth crowd that had seated since 11am.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony included: former governor of the old Ondo State, Bamidele  Olumilua, former military governors of Ogun and Ekiti States, Commodore Kayode Olofinmoyin and Atanda Yusuf, Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Reverend Felix Ajakaye, Founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), former deputy governors of Ekiti and Lagos, Chief Paul Alabi, Dr Sikiru Lawal and Mrs Sinatu Ojikutu, among others.