The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has stressed the need for review of some existing policies to engender better living conditions for Nigerians.

Prof. Ige made the call on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at this year’s edition of Investiture of Ondo State Outstanding Personalities of the year 2022 and Presentation of Book (Diary of Icons), organized by the Hero Magazine International held at the Dome International Event Centre, Akure.

The VC who was also the guest speaker at the event, spoke on “Better Policies, Better Living Conditions”, adding that public policies exist in form of law, regulation, procedure, administrative action, incentive, or voluntary practice of governments and their institutions or agencies. 

He said, “Since public policies (by their nature) are subject to change, there is the need to look into the possibilities of reviewing some of our existing policies or regulations towards securing better living for the people. A review of some of Nigerias national development policies is proposed as a body of philosophy to be targeted at providing better living conditions for its citizens such as in the critical sectors of education, health, transportation system, agriculture, labour and productivity, wages, youth engagement, national security, sustainable energy, foreign exchange, trade, taxation, environment, and cost of governance.”

He added that the responsibility of public policy formulation rests on public authorities at all levels of governance, including traditional rulers, Councillors, Local Government Chairmen, Members of House of Assembly, the Governor, the National Assembly, and the Presidency or agencies of government.

He submitted that public policies were to be legally-formulated framework for government actions towards providing the enabling environment for citizens to have conducive living conditions.

Prof. Ige expressed concerns that despite numerous brilliant policies that were initiated by successive governments in the country, Nigerians have not benefitted from significant developmental policies that adequately addressed the challenges in the nation’s education, economic, health and political sectors even after over two decades into uninterrupted democratic rule.

Interrogating policy failure in Nigeria, the Guest Speaker linked such failure to lack of a clearly defined policy framework, political instability, political interference, policy and macro-economic dislocations; lack of continuity by different regimes, both military and civilian; poor governance leading to abandonment of projects; lack of involvement of beneficiaries/relevant stakeholders in project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; and ineffective targeting of real beneficiaries. 

Prof. Ige, however, acknowledged the robust policies being initiated by the Ondo Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, especially on security of lives and property of the people.

The VC said, “In the face of the current security challenges rocking Nigeria, another giant stride has been taken by the amiable Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, to ensure the safety and security of lives in the State through the government policy that brought about the Ondo State Security Network Agency, the Amotekun Corps.

“Going by the successes recorded by this Corps among a host of other important interventions within the last two years, you will agree with me that the initiative has formidably strengthened the states security architecture and translated into better sleep for the people of the State.”

He charged all public leaders to pursue better policies that would make people happy and fulfilled. 

He said, I am challenging all of us as public leaders in our various capacities to pursue better policies that will make our people happy and fulfilled. To achieve this, we must ensure continuity in better policies and programmes initiated by successive governments; put adequate and proper structures and machineries in place to ensure proper implementation of policies; constitute and adequately fund appropriate institutions and agencies to implement policies; and prioritize the peoples interests and welfare when setting policy goals.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, has assured Nigerians that when elected President, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will use his vast experience to bring more prosperity and development to the country.

The Minister gave this assurance while addressing a stakeholders meeting of the Akure South local government chapter of the APC at his residence in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the weekend.

The Akure South Stakeholders General meeting comprised of all Elders, Leaders, Local government executives, Ward EXCO members and 20 additional leaders from each of the 11 Wards in the local government.

Adegoroye, who said the meeting was borne out of the need to unite party members in the local government ahead of electioneering campaigns, expressed optimism on the victory of the party in the 2023 general elections.

A release signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, quoted Adegoroye as saying Tinubu as a former Senator, former Governor and progressive party leader has all it takes to engineer the growth of the country and build on the foundations already laid by President Muhammadu Buhari. 

“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a thoroughbred politician who understands what the people need. He knows the grassroots and identifies with the masses. Asiwaju  understands what the people wants and I can assure you that it won’t take him long to settle down to work. 

“This meeting is very important for us to rub minds and iron out whatever differences exist among party leaders and members so that our victory in 2023 can be total. All our candidates have to win convincingly and the only way we can do that is to unite as one big family”, Adegoroye said.

The Minister, who said the APC Akure South stakeholders meeting will henceforth be held quarterly, also promised to support the weekly ward and unit meetings of the party in the local government.

Speaking at the meeting, the State chairman of the APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, said he was overwhelmed with the turn out of party leaders and members to the meeting, saying this was the first time such a party stakeholders meeting would be holding in Akure South.

Adetimehin, who was accompanied to the meeting by State Commissioner for 

Budget and Economic Planning, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan and House of Representatives candidate of the APC in Akoko South West/Akoko South East federal constituency, Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati, commended Adegoroye for facilitating and hosting the meeting and birthing a new dawn in Akure South APC.

The party chairman, who appealed to angry party members to embrace reconciliation, added that such regular interactions will help foster unity in the party and enhance the chances of the candidates of the party in the coming general elections.

Leaders of the party at the meeting included Prof. Olu Aderohunmu, Mr. Idowu Otetubi, Dr. S.B Akerele, Mr. Femi Fadairo, as well as ward and local government officers of the party.

Others present included elected council officials led by the Chairman of Akure South local government, Mr. Gbenga Olaniyi and the candidates of the party for 2023, led by Senate Candidate in Ondo Central, Mr. Niyi Adegbonmire, SAN.

The General Manager, Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA), Reverend (Mrs) Ayo Adeyemo, has applauded the residents for their full compliance with today’s environmental sanitation excise.

Adeyemo who led other top officials of the Authority to monitor the August edition of the monthly environmental sanitation excise within Akure metropolis, commended the poeple for keying into the exercise.

She, however, disclosed that 38 poeple were arrested during the exercise for various sanitation offences, saying those arrested were charged to court for appropriate punishment.

The GM equally encouraged the residents to sustain habits of cleanliness and make it a daily affair to ward off any form of diseases. She also appealed to the people not to dump their waste in drainage system and canal to avoid flooding.

Adeyemo who advised all residents to keep to sanitation rules and regulations, further charged them to always keep their waste in bins for easy evacuation.

In all the areas visited, residents defiled early morning light showers, and were seeing cleaning and clearing their environment. 

“Today’s exercise is a good one, the city is relatively clean. People kept their environment clean and we are very happy. Even the evacuators were all evacuating.

“So, everything went well. I will only encourage the good poeple of Ondo State to sustain the habit of cleanliness to ward off any form of diseases which dirty environment can cause.

“It is how we treat our environment that the environment with treat us. So we must treat our environment well to ensure healthy living.

“Our ‘Talk and Do’ Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is doing his best to improve the heath status of the poeple of Ondo State, so we citizens must continue to support him in every area by contributing our own quotas for the betterment of our environment.

“It is when we are in good health we can go to work, it is when we are in sound health we can say we want to do this or  achieve that. So, let us be hygienic by regularly cleaning our homes and our surroundings. Health is wealth.

“And like I always say, keep your waste in a prescribed bin and wait for the evacuator to evacuate. And I always encourage our evacuators to do the evacuation promptly and effectively so that waste kept in bins will not spill over.

“Also, this is rainy season, it even rained during the exercise and that is why I wore my shower cap. I want to advise the good people of our State not to dump their waste in drainage system and canal because they will be blocked, and this will lead to flooding.

“So, to avert flooding let all of us keep to sanitation rules and regulations”, she stressed

The Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Strategy, Political and Legislative Matters, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, has donated a high tech surveillance drone and five  brand new operational motorcycles to Amotekun Corps in the state.

Adeyeye explained that the gesture is in commemoration of his birthday and support Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s relentless efforts at strengthening security architecture to further reduce crimes and criminalities in the state.

At the event held at the Amotekun Corps Head Office, Alagbaka Akure, Governor Akeredolu who specially commended the donor for supporting what is crucial to the state government, also stressed that security of lives and properties of the citizens is paramount to his administration.

Wife of the donor, Prof. Olufunke Adeyeye also graced the occasion. Other dignitaries at the ceremony were Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Adewale Akinlosotu; Chairman, Ondo East Local Government, Akinkuotu Olawale and his Ondo West counterpart, Akinsulire Ebenezer among other dignitaries.

Adeyeye, while  throwing his weight behind the state police for effective security system in the country, also noted that the donation was in fulfilment of his earlier promise to the Commander of Amotekun Corps to provide support in that regard.

“I want to salute the courage of our ever performing Governor for standing tall for the establishment of Amotekun Corps in the South West. Mr Governor has demonstrated capacity, will and leadership. Mr Governor has been equipping Amotekun Corps in Ondo state and make it effective in tackling insecurity across the state.

“However, like every other thing in Nigeria, government alone cannot do it. Every citizen must be ready to support what government is doing, and that is why I have come to give my own widow’s mite to support Mr Governor in equipping Amotekun Corps in the state.  

This Surveillance Drone is capable of at least surveying about 7kilometres radius from here. This drone can fly not less than 500metres into the air, you are not going to see it when it is moving around. It can be in the air for not less than 45 minutes”, Adeyeye added.

He equally urged the federal government to put more efforts to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.

Speaking at the event, Governor Akeredolu who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale, encouraged other well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations to emulate the donor and contribute their quotas to further boost the security architecture in the state.

The Governor, while emphasising his belief in state police as a recipe to guarantee security in the country, also called on the National Assembly to make necessary amendments to the Constitution to allow for the creation of state police in the interest of the country and the citizenry.

The Governor explained that the donation would go a long way in assisting Amotekun Corps to combat crimes and criminalities in the state, adding that security has gone beyond mere firing of guns, hence the need for  modern technology, gadgets and equipments to effectively fight insecurity.

“We believe that the state must be safe, our poeple must be safe. It is when we are in a safe environment that we can talk of the economy. It is when we are safe we can talk of education, it is when the state is safe we can talk of social life. So, we will continue to protect our poeple”, Akeredolu said.

He also lauded the Amotekun Corps for living up to expectations, saying his administration would continue to protect the lives and properties of the citizens across the state.

Also, the Commander of Amotekun Corps and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who expressed the Corps’ gratitude to the donor, equally explained that the drone and motorcycles donated would further enhance the operational capabilities of the Corps.

He also presented a birthday present to the donor and celebrant on behalf of the Corps. 

In separate remarks, the Chairman, Ondo East Local Government, Akinkuotu Olawale and his Ondo West counterpart, Akinsulire Ebenezer, commended Governor Akeredolu for his unwavering commitment to the security of the poeple through the establishment of Amotekun in the South West region, just as they thanked Dr Adeyeye for supporting government to improve security architecture in the state.

The leaders of Ebira Community in Ondo state have vowed to expose and deal decisively with any of their kinsmen who indulges in any form of criminal activities in any part of the state.

This is coming as the leaders also announced that they have placed a ban on all Ebira traditional festivals from being held in any part of the state to further prevent any form of criminal activities. 

The leaders of Ebiras from Kogi State living in Ondo State who made this known on Saturday in Akure while briefing journalists, also appealed to political leaders and the security agents in the country not to politicize the issue of insecurity so that the war against insecurity can be won.

The representatives of Ebira people who came from each of the 18 local government areas of the state  said that the conference was imperative following an earlier meeting called at the instance of the state government in which they were accused of not putting their houses in order in the area of security in the state.

In a communique read by Barrister Abiodun Umoru during the briefing, the leaders noted that Nigeria’s security challenges could not have gotten to its present alarming level if stakeholders have not been politicizing it and called for collaborative efforts to win the war. 

They particularly pointed out the listing of one Idris Ojo who was an Escapee from Kuje prison that was attacked on July 5, 2022 in the list of those arrested for carrying out the massacre in Owo on June 5, 2022 a month after, and lauded Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for making the clarification shortly after 

 the list was released by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen. Lucky Irabor.

They commended the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for his tireless efforts at reducing crimes and criminalities across the state with a promise to continue to contribute their quotas to socio-economic and political development of the Sunshine State.

While disclosing that they are not ready in any way to support or defend any of their kinsmen arrested for crimes but report such persons to appropriate authorities,  the people called on security agencies to always carry out thorough and verifiable investigations before going to the press as their intelligence gathering, investigations and conclusions are always open for public evaluation and analysis.

” We advise security agencies in the country to always extend their intelligence and investigative tentacles for thorough investigation of crimes so as to come up with clearcut conclusions which will command public interest and trust”, they said. 

The leaders who also pleaded with the state government to establish Amotekun Posts in some communities which are predominantly inhabited by their people and enlist their interested youths in the security agency, equally warned politicians who have cultivated the habit of importing Ebira youths from their state to Ondo State as political thugs saying that they are ready to deal decisively with such youths.  

While using the forum to announce the banning of all Ebira traditional festivals from being held in any part of Ondo State, they posited that henceforth, they will be collecting the data of all arrested suspected criminals of Ebira origin in the state for periodic presentation to their paramount ruler, The Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Alhaji (Dr) Ado Ibrahim (CON) for further tracing, invitation and interrogation of their parents at the palace of their monarch in Okene, Kogi State.

“We have warned and educated our women who sell food items at strategic locations on the major roads on the dangers of hobnobbing with suspected criminals by volunteering information to them. They have been admonished to report any suspicious movement of unknown persons where they live, work, and play to their village heads and the security agents nearer to them”, the leaders added.

A renowned Professor of Yoruba Literature of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Oluyemisi Adebowale, has been admitted to the College of Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL).

The Fellowship was conferred on her and five others on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at the 24th Convocation and Investiture of NAL held in the University of Lagos.

The Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Letters are a group of distinguished scholars of the humanities, nominated and elected in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the humanistic scholarship.

The Secretary of NAL, Prof. Ayobami Kehinde, in an early statement, had noted that the new Fellows were highly accomplished researchers in their respective fields, adding that they were elected following a robust review process which found their research outputs excellent.

Speaking with the Information Unit of Adekunle Ajasin University, Prof. Adebowale, the first female Professor and former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of AAUA, expressed joy over her admission to NAL’s prestigious College of Fellows.

She thanked the Executive Committee of NAL for recognising her modest contributions in her field.

Other Fellows are Prof. Roseline Oro Aziza, Prof. Godini Gabriel Darah, Prof. Alex Chinwuba Asigbo, Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, and Prof. Olumuyiwa Adebanjo Falaiye while the Overseas Fellow is Prof. Emeritus John I. Bewaji. The Honorary Fellows at the event were Odia Ofeimun and Chief Olusola Akintola Osuntokun.

34 Professors were also inducted as new members of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) at the event.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, has urged the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, to expedite action on the commencement of the reconstruction of the Akure – Ado Ekiti road.

Adegoroye, on a visit to Fashola in his office in Abuja, said the people of Ondo and Ekiti States have continued to experience too much pain on the bad road and therefore need a respite.

The project for the dualisation of the road was awarded by the federal government to Dantata and Sawoe in 2020 for N22 billion but the contractor has not commenced the project due to lack of mobilisation from the government.

Fashola had disclosed in a recent interview that lack of funds had delayed the mobilisation of the contractor to the site of the project.

However, Adegoroye, who was making his second visit to the Works Minister in one month, said the poor state of the road has necessitated an urgent action from the federal government.

He told Fashola that his people would not let him rest at home until work begins on the road, promising to keep visiting the Works Minister once every week until the project takes off.

The Transportation Minister said the Akure – Ado road project would be the major benefit of both Ondo and Ekiti States from the unprecedented 77 road projects embarked upon by the Muhammadu Buhari Administration and currently ongoing across the country.

According to a release by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Adegoroye also saluted the Works Minister for his hard work, forthrightness and determination in ensuring the growth of road infrastructure in the country.

Responding, Fashola reaffirmed his earlier comment that lack of funds had made it difficult for the government to begin the project, saying the road has not been abandoned.

Thanking Adegoroye for showing genuine concerns over the project, the Works Minister promised his colleague that he will do everything within his power to ensure that the project takes off in no distant time.

In a related development, Adegoroye also paid a visit to Mrs Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, to seek her assistance for young school leavers of Ondo State origin who are desirous of getting employed in the Federal Civil and Public Service.

Responding, the Head of Service, who said he was impressed with the Minister’s show of interest in his people’s welfare, stated that there is an embargo on employment but added that there could be a waiver in critical sectors of public service, promising to give special consideration to Ondo State when such opportunities come up. 

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has been honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association.

The Award ceremony was held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) as part of the 2022 Basorun Seinde Arogbofa/University of Ibadan Alumni Association Ondo Lecture.

According to the Ondo State Branch Chairman of UIAA, Mr Bola Kayode, Esq, the Award ceremony was to recognise the products of the University of Ibadan who are doing well in their chosen careers, and to acknowledge their contributions to the society.

In his response, the AAUA VC, an Alumnus of the University of Ibadan, thanked the association for the honour, saying that it would spur him to do more and to continue to fly high the flag of the oldest university in Nigeria.

Prof. Ige called on other awardees and alumni to prove their mettle wherever they found themselves.

Other awardees included the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa; Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; Rector of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Mr. Gani Ogundahunsi; immediate past CAN State Chairman, Rev. Ayo Oladapo; Oba of Agoro-Ijebu, Kabiyesi Adedeji Omisami; and the State Head of Service, Mr. John Adeyemo.

The Guest Lecturer, Gen. Jones Arogbofa, who was represented by Major General Temidayo Olukoju (Rtd), spoke on “Insecurity in our Nation: Challenges and Responsibilities of the Elite.”

He blamed the Nigerian elite for the festering sore of insecurity in the country. He said that political elite were in the habit of arming thugs and youths to protect themselves and intimidate the opposition during electioneering, and only for the elite to abandon the armed youths after election.

He said many of the armed youths ended up in nefarious activities like kidnapping and armed robbery to make ends meet after their abandonment by the political godfathers.

Gen, Arogbofa, who was the Chief of Staff to former President Goodluck Jonathan, lamented that it was unfortunate that the same elite class who nurtured the monster of insecurity now want the same eradicated overnight. He called on them to join hands with and financially support the security agencies to stem the tide of insecurity in all its ramifications.

The Awards ceremony was graced by dignitaries from all walks of life, including Principal Officers and staff members from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko. They were: Registrar, Mr. Gbenga Arajulu; Bursar, Mr. Tobi Orina, FCA; University Librarian, Dr. Yemisi Olorunfemi; Dean of Postgraduate School, Prof. Benson Akinnawonu; as well as Deans of Faculty, among others.

The ancient town of Ile-oluji in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo state was a beehive of activities on Friday 8th July, 2022 as the remains of Chief (Mrs) Esther Olagbemisotu Adeyemo was laid to rest amidst tributes from children, family, friends and well-wishers.

Late Chief (Mrs) Esther Olagbemisotu Adeyemo, mother of the Head of Service of Ondo State, Pastor John Adeyemo,  slept in the Lord on Saturday 30th April, 2022, at the age of 82 years. She was finally laid to rest in the presence of dignitaries, friends and family, on Friday 8th July, 2022. 

The funeral service held at Holy Saviour’s Gospel Mission International, Oke-Alaafia West, Ile-Oluji, was attended by the children of the deceased including Pastor John Adeyemo among other children, as well as dignitaries across various spheres of life. 

Dignitaries at the well attended farewell service included Governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; members of the State Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; members of the House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun; the Chief Judge of Ondo state, Justice Williams Akintoroye; the state chairman of the APC, Ade Adetimehin; wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mrs. Folasade Ale; State Accountant General, Mrs. Toyin Oni and Chairman Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Tolu Adegbie.

Also present were the Queen of Ile-Oluji, Olori Adetokunbo Adetimehin; former commissioner for Information Mr. John Ola Mafo; the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, Rev. Fr. Anselm Ologunwa; Rector Federal Polytechnic Ile-oluji, Professor Dayo Fasakin; Vice Chancellor Adekunle Ajasin University, Professor Olugbenga Ige; former Vice Chancellor Adekunle Ajasin University, Professor Olufemi Mimiko; General Overseer of Holy Saviour’s Gospel Mission International; veteran Labour Leader, Pastor Oyekan Arije, among other dignitaries.

The funeral service commenced on Thursday 7th July, 2022 with a service of songs at her residence, 53, Temidire Street, Ile-Oluji with songs and prayers rendered for departed soul and her family.

At the church, melodious and thought-provoking hymns and songs were rendered by the church choir to celebrate the life and times of the departed soul, and to also preach about the importance of living exemplary lives to the congregation who had gathered to witness the memorable occasion.

Speaking at the event, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu described the deceased as a great woman who was able to attain success in life through determination despite the obstacles before her. Akeredolu, however, commiserated with the family on the monumental loss and urged the children to keep her legacies alive.

 The Governor represented by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said late (Mrs) Esther Olagbemisotu lived well, describing the event as a celebration of a life well spent.

“Let me specially greet the Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo mni, his amiable wife, your brothers and every member of this family. Truly, there is time for everything. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to mourn and a time to rejoice. We are not mourning. Mama has come, spent eighty two on earth and so we are celebrating mama. Even though no matter how old our parents might be, we always miss them whenever God calls them home.

“We draw more from the mother. The relationship and bond between the children and the mother is very strong. So, if you shed tears, it is understandable. I pray that there will be no more tears in your household. Now you are celebrating and we are here to celebrate with you. 

“This is a celebration of life because mama lived well. She made a vow and she fulfilled that vow. She was satisfied. She left good children behind which is a great legacy. We have a Permanent Secretary who is a son of mama and a Head of Service who is also a son of mama. Mama really tried. So, mama lives on even though she has died. There is no way the history of the Adeyemos will be written without the name of mama appearing”, he added.

Earlier in his sermon,, Pastor Joseph Akinsefunmi encouraged the children of the deceased and other well-wishers to emulate the exemplary life of the departed soul and sustain her good legacies.

“I have the unique opportunity to pastor mama for two years. I went to the church at Temidire when the church was suffering from flooding. It was during my time that mama went to live with her children in Akure. Despite the distance, mama would always do everything right about the growth of the church. The programme today is holding in this church because of what mama had done. 

“I have checked through the Bible and seen giants of faith. The life of mama is unique. Righteous people will be remembered forever. We will remember mama forever. Will the same be done for you? I want us to live a life that will be remembered like we are remembering mama today. We all know that mama lived a good life. She has gone to rest with the Lord. We will always remember her”, the Pastor said.

The remains of late Chief (Mrs) Esther Olagbemisotu Adeyemo was later laid to rest at her residence amidst tears from children, grand children, great grandchildren and other relatives who were at her grave side to pay their last respect.

Eulogizing his late mother, the Head of Service of Ondo State, Pastor John Adeyemo described his mother as a blessing to not just her children and family but to everyone who came in contact with her during her lifetime.

“She is indeed my world. She lived her life for we, her children. She supported us fully and made sure that we are successful in life. My mother was truthful to a fault. She did not get herself involved in dirty dealings. She loved peace. She settled a lot of quarrels in the family, community and church of God. She was a virtuous woman. She made sure that everything worked out for the family. Even though she lost her own mother when she was just seven years old, she did not allow that discourage her. She was very hardworking. These are some of the legacies she left behind. We cherish her.”

“If I have the opportunity of talking to my mother right now, I would say thank you and we appreciate you. She was a woman favoured by God. She took everyone as her children. So, we appreciate her in all ramifications. Today, I am the Head of Service, one of my younger brothers is a Permanent Secretary, we have two accountants and we also have two education officers of repute. She was a favoured woman and we appreciate God in her life”, the Head of Service stressed.

Also, eulogizing his late mother, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Pastor Adeyemi Adeyemo described his late mother as a great woman who lived a life of service to humanity and left behind great achievements which her offsprings will strive to follow.

“We thank God for our mother. Growing up, my mother was very diligent. She always ensured that we have our needs and get educated in an atmosphere of love, support and sacrifice. She was God-fearing. She feared God and attended to things of God with seriousness. Even at her old age, she woke up every morning to attend devotions and preach the gospel. She was a generous person. She sacrificed a lot for people. She was also a disciplinarian who made sure that things were done the normal way”, he said.

He further added that the family would continue to work in line with the visions and dreams of their late mother in order to preserve her legacies for future generations so that they too will have the opportunity of enjoying the exemplary lifestyle of mama.

The General Manager, Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA), who is also her daughter-in-law, Rev. Mrs. Ayo Adeyemo (JP) described the deceased as her own mother due to the love and care she received from mama during her lifetime.

“I have known mama for more than twenty years now. The woman we are celebrating today was not mother-in-law, she was my mother. We are all celebrating her glorious exit because mama left behind legacies of generosity, kindness and godliness. I want everyone to emulate her. I am her first wife and she cared for me like her own child. She did what was expected from her. She worshipped God always. She was merciful, accommodating and loved, making people happy. So, she was my mother and I want people to emulate her good deeds”, she said.

Guests were later treated to both local and continental dishes under a carnival-like atmosphere at Holy Saviour’s Gospel High School field, Ile-Oluji.