My Sister Thought She would Outlive Her Cancer..Ekiti Dep Gov Sister

It was all gloomy yesterday at the 25, Royal Palm Drive, Osborne Foreshore Estate II, Ikoyi, Lagos home of the late Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, as sympathisers trooped in commiserate with her family.

Mrs Olayinka died on Saturday in Lagos after a long battle with cancer.

To her younger sister, Mrs. Fehintola Tade-Adekunle, who spoke on behalf of the family members, a role model is gone.

According to her, the deceased was optimistic she would recover. “No one will call me ‘kora’ again, Mrs Tade-Adekunle said, adding: “She gave me the pet name because I was very fair as a baby. Growing up with sister Funmi was fun.

“I fed her at the hospital last week. She was strong and optimistic she would make it. She told me we will sit together in the house once she was discharged from the hospital.

“She was a rallying point. She was very optimistic of making it through. She never gave up on her bed. She was still active and talked with us even on her bed.

“She was our role model, mother and everything. She was always interested in everybody and carried everyone along, such that you would never know ours was a polygamous home.”

Mrs. Tade-Adekunle noted that the late Mrs Olayinka, who was the first of six girls in the family of 10 children, was a strong woman who competed among men without intimidation.

“She was very hardworking. Except for her looks, everything about her is manly. She usually called us ‘the girls’ and would ask after everybody regularly.

“Her death is still a joke – to me. I still feel like she is still sleeping. I just want to wake up and realise I have been dreaming. Life without her will be so tedious.

“Even as a deputy governor, her commitment to the family did not shake. She was still sending us text messages and prayers. If you called her and she was not able to pick your call, sister Funmi would ensure your call was returned, even if it was midnight.

“We were happy and stood beside her throughout the struggle. We are happy she was committed in her service to our people. She was a beacon of hope.”

Among sympathisers that thronged the deceased’s home were former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu; Deputy Governor of Lagos, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and her Ogun State counterpart, Segun Adesegun; House of Representatives member, Opeyemi Bamidele; Senator Olurunimbe Mamora, as well as Lagos Commissioner for Environment Tunji Bello.

Osoba, who was sober, neither signed the condolence register nor spoke with journalists.

Akeredolu, who spoke after commiserating with the deceased’s husband, Olayinka and three children, Yeside, Lolade and Olumide, noted that her death has left a big vacuum in leadership.

He said he had called the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, about five days ago to enquire about the state of her health and was told that she was getting better.

“It was a shock to hear few days later that she had died. Funmi had been ill for a while, no doubt, but we were hopeful she would make it.

“Funmi will be remembered for her unflinching support and loyalty to her governor, Fayemi, when he was struggling to reclaim the Ekiti mandate.

“She was with him in every step of the way and, together, they were inseparable. We all saw her as the only person that stood beside him almost everywhere.

“She will be missed and I pray God will grant the state and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Akeredolu said the late Mrs. Olayinka would always be remembered for her dignified poise and sartorial splendour.

To Mamowora, the deputy governor’s death was a pity and sad loss.

He said: “It is a pity that we lost her at this point in time. She was a very amiable person, especially with her infectious smile.

She carried herself with dignity deserving her office. Of course, she did not carry her office on her head.

“She gave her job the best she could, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Funmi left a legacy and the family should take solace in the fact that it was God’s will.”

Adesegun, who signed the condolence register, said: “It is a sad loss, beyond words and I pray that God in His infinite mercies will grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss”.

Bamidele described the late Mrs Olayinka as a diligent woman with grace.

“I know that all the people of Ekiti State, her family and the entire nation will miss her greatly.”