Moji Olaiya: Tinubu accepts to fly remains from Canada

Husband of Nollywood actress, Foluke Daramola-Salako, Mr Olukayode Salako has given hint that former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted to sponsor the flight expenses of the corpse of actress Moji Olaiya back to Nigeria.

Preparations, he said, are on top gear to fly the remains of the actress and her two months baby from Canada.

Mr Salako who made the disclosure using his Instagram account today also revealed how a prior appeal to the Ekiti State Government, where the deceased actress hailed from and was its Cultural Ambassador, was turned down by the state governor, Ayodele Fayose, through the Senior Media Assistant to the Governor, Mr. Lere Olayinka.

According to the press statement issued by the publicist of the burial committee, which comprisises friends and family members of the actress, actor Yomi Fabiyi, Mr Lere Olayinka had earlier asked the committee to make an official request after he was verbally asked for the governor’s support, a step which the committee confirmed it had not taken.

Meanwhile, Salako in his post revealed that the governor had allegedly repudiated the sponsorship appeal on the basis he didn’t know the actress.

The governor’s aide was reported to have said, “Who is Moji?! I don’t know any Moji. And I don’t want to know any Moji! Please, stop disturbing my phone!”

However, the former Lagos State Governor and APC Chieftain has accepted to bring the dead actress and her two months old baby back home.

The press statement captioned “Ekiti State Aborts Moji Olaiya’s Burial in Canada” reads in part:

We will like to state as follows:

1. It is a considered opinion of this committee to bring back the corpse of our colleague back to Nigeria for a befitting burial and her 2months old babe to be re-united with her family.
2. Late Moji Olaiya is an indigene and a Cultural Ambassador of Ekiti State. Consequently the State Governor was informed and a verbal appeal for support via the Senior Media Assistant to the Governor, Mr Lere Olayinka and as at 2am on Saturday he directed the committee to make official request. The said request is yet to be made.
3. At present, contrary to the news flying around the committee has not received any favourable response from Ekiti state governor – Mr Ayodele Fayose.
4. You will recall, prior to this time the general public was intimated of the composition of the committee so that friends and media can direct their queries or get accurate information of the right source.
5. We strongly warn against unguarded utterances, half information and publications that may dent the image of the deceased, her family and committee planning for her smooth and decent transition.
6. Thanking you in advance for your co-operation and understanding. We also sincerely appreciate several encomiums, condolences and support locally and abroad in ensuring we give Late Moji Olaiya the deserving burial.