Tears
flowed freely in Ekiti State on Sunday following the announcement of the death
of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, who died at 52 on Saturday
after a protracted battle with cancer on Sunday.
flowed freely in Ekiti State on Sunday following the announcement of the death
of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, who died at 52 on Saturday
after a protracted battle with cancer on Sunday.
The
deputy governor’s parents, Chief Festus Famuagun, and her wife, Grace, were
inconsolable when Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi, visited the
bereaved family at Isato area of Ado Ekiti on Sunday.
deputy governor’s parents, Chief Festus Famuagun, and her wife, Grace, were
inconsolable when Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi, visited the
bereaved family at Isato area of Ado Ekiti on Sunday.
The
deceased’s mother, who is 80 years old, rhetorically asked the governor,
“Kayode, where is Funmi? Kayode, where is your deputy?”
deceased’s mother, who is 80 years old, rhetorically asked the governor,
“Kayode, where is Funmi? Kayode, where is your deputy?”
The
governor, who was moved to tears by the question, intermittently removed his
glasses to wipe tears from his face with his handkerchief.
governor, who was moved to tears by the question, intermittently removed his
glasses to wipe tears from his face with his handkerchief.
While
the governor tried in vain to console the father, his wife also made
attempts to console the mother but it was in vain.
the governor tried in vain to console the father, his wife also made
attempts to console the mother but it was in vain.
The
governor, who was dressed in dark outfit, did not grant interview while leaving
the residence of the Famuagun.
governor, who was dressed in dark outfit, did not grant interview while leaving
the residence of the Famuagun.
Top
government officials, including the Chairman of SUBEB, Prof. Modupe Adelabu;
the Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya; the Commissioner for Information, Mr.
Tayo Ekundayo; among others, led other gvernment official to commiserate
with the bereaved family.
government officials, including the Chairman of SUBEB, Prof. Modupe Adelabu;
the Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya; the Commissioner for Information, Mr.
Tayo Ekundayo; among others, led other gvernment official to commiserate
with the bereaved family.
Chairman
of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Ekiti State, Chief Jide Awe, burst into
tears during an interview with journalists at the residence of the deceased.
of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Ekiti State, Chief Jide Awe, burst into
tears during an interview with journalists at the residence of the deceased.
Awe,
who had tried hard to fight tears, burst into tears as Olayinka was referred to
as the late deputy governor. The ACN chairman described Olayinka as a
pillar of support for the ACN and the government of the state.
who had tried hard to fight tears, burst into tears as Olayinka was referred to
as the late deputy governor. The ACN chairman described Olayinka as a
pillar of support for the ACN and the government of the state.
Sympathisers
have been pouring into the Government House to commiserate with Fayemi over the
death of the deputy governor.
have been pouring into the Government House to commiserate with Fayemi over the
death of the deputy governor.
Some of
the early callers at the Government House in include, Minister of Finance, Dr.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; former Governor of old Ondo State, Bamidele Olumilua; and
Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin.
the early callers at the Government House in include, Minister of Finance, Dr.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; former Governor of old Ondo State, Bamidele Olumilua; and
Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin.
Okonjo-Iweala
said, “It is with deep sense of loss that we learn the
passing of our beautiful, intelligent sister. She was a true
representative of Nigeria’s womanhood.”
said, “It is with deep sense of loss that we learn the
passing of our beautiful, intelligent sister. She was a true
representative of Nigeria’s womanhood.”
Meanwhile,
Fayemi on Sunday declared a seven-day mourning to commence the mourning of
the late deputy governor, who died of cancer in Lagos on Saturday.
Fayemi on Sunday declared a seven-day mourning to commence the mourning of
the late deputy governor, who died of cancer in Lagos on Saturday.
Fayemi
said this in a broadcast on Sunday.
said this in a broadcast on Sunday.
The
governor said it was sad that Olayinka lost the battle to cancer
although she availed herself of medical treatment both at home and abroad.
governor said it was sad that Olayinka lost the battle to cancer
although she availed herself of medical treatment both at home and abroad.
The
governor said, “I am pained by the exit of our deputy governor who was my
ready partner in our collective quest to develop our dear state. As my
dependable ally in the struggle to free Ekiti, she was a consistent bulwark of
support, especially through the period of the judicial struggle to reclaim our
mandate.
governor said, “I am pained by the exit of our deputy governor who was my
ready partner in our collective quest to develop our dear state. As my
dependable ally in the struggle to free Ekiti, she was a consistent bulwark of
support, especially through the period of the judicial struggle to reclaim our
mandate.
“She
was a virtuous family woman and devout Christian, who served God practically
and diligently, touching many lives in compassion and humility.
was a virtuous family woman and devout Christian, who served God practically
and diligently, touching many lives in compassion and humility.
“In
reflection of the mood of our state in this trying moment, a period of
seven-day mourning shall commence from this moment during which all flags in
the state will fly at half mast. During this period also, all state official
ceremonies will be suspended.”
reflection of the mood of our state in this trying moment, a period of
seven-day mourning shall commence from this moment during which all flags in
the state will fly at half mast. During this period also, all state official
ceremonies will be suspended.”
Source: Punch
