The sleepy town of Ikole Ekiti in Ekiti state was agog on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th of June, 2018, to mark the burial of Asiwaju Ishola Filani. He was buried in grand style.
The town played host to top politicians, business gurus, celebrities and dignitaries who came out en-masse for the celebration of a life well spent of an Icon, a politician, business mogul and a lawyer of great repute who had in his lifetime won many landmark cases.
Asiwaju Filani was a disciplinarian and a devoted family man. He has contributed immensely to the growth of Ikole Ekiti indigenes. Speaking on who Asiwaju Filani was, his last born, Enitan Filani said his passing on to glory is still like a dream to the family. “I still wake up every morning to a reminder of your various quotes and words of wisdom.
“I still play it in my head and at times try to mimic your voice reciting them.
“You were a father worthy of all emulation. You impacted in the true values of life and I will hold and cherish them all for the rest of my life. Some called you difficult but I chose to call you Principled and Intolerant of Shenanigans. Some called you a hardliner but I chose to call you a man who always speak the truth and hold on to it in all situation. Some called you argumentative but I chose to see you as a man who would always intelligently defend his utterances and you were so dawn good at it. So good that that I had to take a cue from you and apply it to my life.
“We had our differences but we always found a way to put that aside and relate not only as father and son but as close friends.
In soccer you were a Chelsea fan, I was an Arsenal fan-brings back memories of our arguments about whose team is more superior. My argument and statement was always “Daddy the world is changing and we all have to change with it.
As regards emotions you always felt the need for every human being to be expressive and say his or her mind plainly regardless of the consequence. I was more of the diplomatic type who always felt we should trend towards dialogue and diplomacy when we both join heads on emotional issues. We always come up with the best results. I remember the interstate road trips. Me driving and you on the passenger sit (Orlando Owoh, Ebenezer Obey, Rex Lawson or Victor Uwaifo blearing out of the car stereo) and we would both bump heads to good music and gist till we get to destination.
I remember the soccer matches where both rival teams meet. Whoever had the winning team would encourage and part the back of the fan of the loosing team. I must importantly remember your continual show of unconditional love and support throughout my life (even when all seemed so bleak and dark), you were always there to give me a helping hand and lift me out of the rain to my sunshine. I will continually thank God that I had you as my father. The values of life that you rubbed off on me is what keeps me going in all facets of life till date.
You did not only have brother Jimi, Sister Dunni and myself as your children, you were a father to all. You were a man of valor and you raised a lot of made men in our present day Nigeria.
Looking at my life right now, I see a fragment of the legacy of truth you impacted on me. Your words were not mere transmission of information, it involved a whole life of proclamation and demonstration. At the tale end, you gave your life to Christ and became born again, this is the best thing that can ever happen to any human being, this has made me ponder on the 1st paragraph of the bible scripture Ecclesiastes 7 vs 8- “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof. Indeed the end was not just better, it was the best for you becoming born again. Rest well in the blossom of the lord my loving and great father.”
Chief Filani remains were moved to Ikole Ekiti by his family led by the Eldest son Bar. Jimi Filani for the burial. Service of song and wake were held at his residence at Ootunja quarters, Ikole Ekiti on the 29th of June, 2018 by Methodist Church of Nigeria Diocese, while the Funeral and Outing Services were held on 30th June 2018 as St. Theresa Primary School, Open Field, Ikole.
AT THE CHURCH
The funeral and outing service for Asiwaju Ishola Filani who was called into eternal glory on 4th of April, 2018 was held at Methodist Church Nigeria Diocese of Ayedun Ikole local church Ikole Ekiti and it witnessed the presence of notable officiating Ministers like Bishops, Presbyters, Priests, Deacons, Deaconesses, Pastors, Evangelists and host of others.
MEET THE MINISTERS
Among the officiating ministers of Ikole Methodist Church of Nigeria that were seen on that day were. The Bishop, Ayedun Diocese. The Rt. Rev’d Dr. E. Oluwasesan Abejide (JP), Arch Bishop Ilesha Diocese. The Most Rev’d Amos A. Akindeko, His Emmence S.C.K Uche (Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria), The Rev’d R.D Fadimiye. The very Rev’d J.A Fasakin (T) (S) and of course the Pressbyter/Minister in charge. The very Rev’d Micheal O. Omotayo.
WHAT THE PREACHER SAID
How responsible are we? How passionate are we about our kinsmen and our brothers. These were the Keynotes the Rev’d, Dr. E. Oluwasesan Abejide (JP) started with as he recounted what was written about Asiwaju Ishola Filani in his tribute. Speaking further, the man of talks about life as a Journey and what individuals must do to live it according to the ways and plan of God for mankind “Life is like a Journey. Ex 40 vs 34-38 talks about people that sojourned.
But I discovered that the way and manner we see life is different. It is the way and manner you see life you are going to live your life. If you see and as a battle, then you prone to face battle. To some people life is a competition whereby they will compete for everything even when there is no reason for it. Some see life as a working place they will work at the expense of their life and family and whatever they acquire they won’t enjoy it, it’s all about work. The way you see life will dictate the way you live it. Some sees life as a restaurant whereby they eat, drink e.t.c those kind of people can never be serious in life, while some sees life as expectation, believing on others to survive yet they can never be satisfy, some people sees life as a market place, nothing is wrong with that though but you have to centre your focus on one. Life is a journey that must have beginning and end.
We need to know the determinant of our life. One thing we must know is that there is a destination we are going, more reasons we must not compete with others because we have nothing in common. Life is all about contentment. 90% of our challenges today is lack of contentment. Learn to compete with yourself and accept what you have.
OBA JAME AJIBADE REPRESENTED
Oba James Ajibade Fasipe (Onikole Of Ikole was ably represented by one of the Chief with the staff of office to honour late Asiwaju Ishola Filani.
OLD STUDENTS
DID A RENDITION
Old student association of Christ School Ado Ekiti came out en-masse to celebrate the life well spent of their own Asiwaju Filani. And they rendered a beautiful song before the programme was brought to a close.
AT THE RECEPTION
The reception was resplendent as the whole place, St. Theresa was filled up to the brim for the celebration of life of an Icon, Asiwaju Ishola Filani.
BIMBO DARAMOLA DAZZLED
Among the dignitaries that were present to honour the children of the deceased was Hon. Bimbo Daramola member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1. He was at the Church also with his entourages.
METHODIST GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL OLD STUDENT WELL REPRESENTED
Methodist Girls High School Old Student Association, Ifaki led by Justice Bisi Omoleye came out en-masse to celebrate the life well spent of Asiwaju Ishola Filani.
QUEEN AYO BALOGUN ON BAND STAND
Undisputable Juju Queen and the President, Association of Juju musicians of Nigeria, Queen Ayo Balogun, was the musician of the day. Queen Ayo Balogun is an entertainer who knows how to make people dance.
ABOUT THE MC OF THE DAY
The M.C of the day is no other person than Mr. Ransome Olufemi Sanni. Who thrilled the guests and was referring to late Asiwaju Filani as his mentor.
ASIWAJU’S LIFESTYLE WAS MIMICKED
To tell you the closeness of some people especially Youths to Asiwaju Ishola Filani. Sola & Omo’ba Fafure mimicks Asiwaju Filani. The way he talks and react to situation was mimicked by this duo perfectly.
OMO’BA FAFURE TALKS ABOUT ASIWAJU
Prince Omo’ba Ayo Fafure, a bonafide and Prince of Ikole Ekiti speaks on his closeness with Asiwaju Ishola Filani and talks about how Asiwaju hates controversy.
ABOUT THE VENUE
The venue is the open field of St. Theresa Primary School in Ikole Ekiti. Several tents were mounted for the guests and the indigenes too were well taken care off as they have a separate tent for them.
SENATOR OMISORE HONOURS FILANIS FAMILY
Senator Iyiola Omisore, the former deputy governor of Osun State, former Senator for Osun East and Governorship Aspirant of Osun State was at the event to celebrate with the Filani family for a life well spent of Asiwaju Ishola Filani.
ROLL CALL
Otunba Kukoyi, Lizzy, Bola Omotunde Johnson, Tonia Adenle, Omoba Ayo Fafure, Pastor Femi Ojo, Olayinka Sanya, Adewale Boluoye, Funmilola Balkis-Osho, Adeyeye Tomi, Yinka Temilolu Ajayi, Princess Temilade, Akinbolade Modupe, Majolagbe Nihinlola, Silifat Lawal, Taiwo Iyalaje Filani, Isola Eunice T, Olabisi Filani Deola Ojopagogo, Adeoye Eni Oluwa, Monebi Funke, Jumoke Fagbohunla, Bunmi, Oriniowo, Oluwagbayi, Toyin Ajakaiye, Tola Adegburo, Yemi Ola, Lola Ajuwon, Sanyaolu Adebola, Mrs. Funke Kehinde Ojo, Moni Adeniran, Fadimu Anike, Falade Olukunle, Dapo Akintola, Tope Daramola, Idowu Awosusi, Ayo Afolabi, Ayo Ogunlade, Chief Talabi, Akinlua, Fadeju, Chief Kayode Ogunleye, Chief Olumide Ogunleye, Akogun Bunmi Ogunleye, Wole Olufore, Segun Disco, Ayo Awe, Yemco/Michael, Ogundele Ayodeji Yeko, Ogundana Kayode, David Uchenliwe, Olatunya Tabi, Samson Fasakin, Adeloye Kayode, Alayerogun Olaniyi.
-Sunday Adigun
