Awolowo Son Buried Amidst Tears

AMID encomiums, the remains of the Publisher and Vice Chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Chief Oluwole Awolowo, were on Friday, interred in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, after a funeral service at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church.

The ceremony, reminiscent of the burial of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was graced by dignitaries from all walks of life, including a delegation from the Presidency, Speaker of the House of Representatives, state governors, former governors, members of the National Assembly and many others.

In a sermon entitled ‘Don’t Wait; You May Not Get Another Chance’, the Bishop of Remo Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend (Dr.) Michael  Olusina Fape, said that unlike many who profess to be Christians today, the late Chief Oluwole Awolowo lived a fruitful life and never sacrificed integrity on the altar of self-interest.

The bishop recalled the lofty achievements of the deceased as a councillor in Apapa and later a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, stressing that the deceased publisher never soiled his family’s name in the various public positions that he held.

He said people like Chief Oluwole Awolowo, who prioritised the welfare of the people and identified with people in their lowliness of stations, were becoming endangered species in a country that had been taken over by insincerity, corruption and moral recklessness.

Fape likened all mortals to fig trees in the vineyard of God, and stressed the need for all to bear good fruits, lamenting that there are many Christians today who are not bearing fruits, particularly those in positions of public trust.

The children of the late Awolowo wept openly and uncontrollably as the remains of their father were lowered into the vault. Even Dr Awolowo Dosumu fought back tears at the graveside as she watched her brother’s body was being interred.

Other dignitaries at the event include presidential delegation led by Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru; Communications Minister, Mrs Omobola Johnson; FCT Minister of State, Chief (Mrs) Jumoke Akinjide; Senior Special Adviser to the President on Policy, Strategy and Documentation, Mr. Oronto Douglas; Special Adviser on Media to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati; Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and ex-governors Olusegun Osoba, Olagunsoye Oyinlola,  Gbenga Daniel and Segun Oni.

Ekiti State delegation was led by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye.

Also at the event were Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi;  Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Chief Tola Adeniyi, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Mr Ayo Opadokun, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, Chief Gbolabo Ogunsanwo, Chief Kola Oyefeso, Otunba Abiodun Adesoye, Chief Niyi Adegbenro, Prince Segun Aderibigbe, Chief Jide Osinubi, FERMA Chairman, Engineer Jide Adeniji; Mr. Folu Olamiti; Chief (Mrs.) Abba Folawiyo; Hon. Bukola Buraimoh, among many other dignitaries.