Olayinka’s Death: Don’t Be Depressed, Cleric Tells Fayemi

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; and Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, during an Outing Service in honour of late deputy of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, in Ado-Ekiti.

As activities lined up for the funeral rite of the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmi Olayinka were rounded off on Sunday with an outing service in Ado Ekiti, retired Bishop of the Ekiti Anglican Diocese, Most Revd Adedayo Abe has urged the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi not to be depressed by the loss of his Deputy.

The clergyman who gave the charge in his sermon at the outing service held at the Emmanuel Cathedral Church Ado- Ekiti appealed to the Governor to be strong and not deterred in his bid to transform the State; saying this is the best way to keep alive the memory of the late Olayinka.

Abe said though the Governor had repeatedly referred to the late Deputy Governor as a co-pilot, Fayemi should hold onto Jesus whom he called the chief pilot who cannot allow the aircraft of the State to crash land.

While describing the late Olayinka as a devout Christian, the Bishop said she was also a philanthropist and one who puts the people first in all she did.

Speaking with journalists after the outing service, Governor Fayemi expressed gratitude to Ekiti people and Nigerians for standing by the State during the dark period of Olayinka’s departure; saying the outpouring of love during the period was outstanding and a statement of how good the late Deputy Governor was to people during her lifetime.

Fayemi said the State Government will make good its promises in the interest of the people and to strengthen the legacies that Olayinka left behind; adding that Government will not stop remembering her and will this week disclose what it would do in her memory as well as in the interest of the people so that the ailment that claimed her life will not find its way into the State anymore.

The service was attended by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu, former Governor of Ekiti State, Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Otunba Niyi Adebayo and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin and scores of traditional rulers led by the Chairman of the State Council of Obas, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji, the Owa ooye of Okemesi.

Last modified: April 28, 2013