The ancient town of Owo experienced a huge influx of visitors on Thursday, December 10, 2020, as Yeye Aderonke Emmanuelking, the Executive Director of Adron Homes and Properties and her siblings buried their late father, Prince Joel Olatigbe Oluyemi Atanneye who passed on at the ripe age of 75.
The memorial mansion of the late Prince was filled to the brim by families, friend’s partners, and associates, who came from various states, and staff of Adron Homes and Properties to bid Baba a befitting farewell.
It was more of a glorious exit and gracious appreciation for the family of the deceased as he lived a fulfilled life.
The Christian wake was held at the prestigious Ademos Event Centre in Owo, as guests were taken through the mandatory hand sanitizing and social distancing, which was delightfully observed. Rev Agboola of St Andrews Anglican Church took the word of charge and encourage the children to rejoice in the lord for their father has surely gone to rest in the lord. The children of the deceased and their spouses took time on the stage to dance to God’s glory. Prince Joel Olatigbe Oluyemi is survived by his wife, Mrs. D Olatigbe Oluyemi, And four successful children; Olamide Adebolu Joel, Aderonke Emmanuelking, Adenike Jemirade, Adedolapo Modupe Aloba.
The night into the burial featured a lot of glitz and glamour. Just after the Christian Wake, the children of the deceased headed straight to the new mansion and stayed awake all night, as many of the guest sat in the exotic garden to enjoy the performance of Dr. Yode Maja and his Juju Highlife band.
It was a night of fun for both the host and the guests, as there was enough to eat, to drink and even suya and asun was more in abundant.
The burial which was held at the cathedral of St Andrew, Owo had a lot of important dignitaries in attendance. It was an eventful moment, as the church choir, made sure they gave their best in adding flavor to the colorful ceremony. The remains of Baba left the mortuary at 9am for his ancestral compound before it was taken to the new country home for Lying-In-State and was greeted with a mourning crowd consisting of his friends and family, who came en masse to pay their last respect. It was later received by the church as the Diocese led the congregation through dogmatic rites.
The burial ceremony was conducted by the leaders of the Diocese, who shared emotional reflections of how Prince Joel Olatigbe Oluyemi Atanneye lived a fulfilled life, and a life worth emulating. His final ceremonial progression through to the Oke-Ogun, Owo town with horsemen riding along as guard, raised treasurable memories of his life among family, friends, and even close neighbors. The recollections bespeak the misery of a watching world that fell in love with the son, husband, father, and Grandfather. Olori Aderonke and her siblings rued the final departure of their father, struggling in their grief to deal with the humbling reality that their father had finally set out alone into eternity. Prince Joel cortege was joined along the way by the most important people in his life. They walked behind his remains, and then, so did representatives from each of the families and communities The deceased would definitely turn in his grave for the honor and unrivaled show of love that his beloved sons and daughters gave him. His body was finally interned at the St Andrews Anglican Church, Owo
Adron Homes and Property boss, who happens to be one of the son in-laws to the deceased, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, who has been around before the program commenced, stood by his wife and family all through the event, as staff of Adron Homes stormed the event to show their support for their ED, Olori Aderonke, who is loved and appreciated for her hospitable personality. Aare Adetola was seen as he received guests who came in from various states to support the family. He also played host to the media who came to cover the memorable event.
Aare Adetola, was a cynosure of all eyes, as he was seen everywhere trying to ensure that everything goes smoothly and perfectly without any problems. He stood by his wife, Olori Aderonke, and her siblings to support in all areas to give baba the most befitting burial deserving of a wonderful father. He was also seen around mama Olatigbe Oluyemi, ensuring that mama did not feel alone at any time.
BIOGRAPHY OF PRINCE JOEL OLATIGBE OLUYEMI ATANNEYE
Prince Joel Olatigbe Oluyemi, was born on September 10, 1944, and died, March 23, 2020. His father was Joshua Atanneye and his mother were Olojufun Adesoji Atanneye. An only surviving twin (Kehinde), he was born to the royal family of Atanneye, but lost his twin at birth. His life started in the quiet and historic town of Owo in Ondo State, Nigeria. He attended the Government Primary School, Owo, Ondo State from 1952 to 1959. A time when Nigeria was a British colonies and schools were run by the Colonial Masters. While in school, he was given the responsibility of School janitor, which in essence, gave him the oversight function of keeping the environment clean and in order.
He was raised by his grandmother after he lost his mother at a very tender age. His father remarried after his mother died and Prince Joel had a cordial relationship with his father, stepmother, and his half-sibling. Soccer was his active and favorite sport.
Upon completion of his primary school in Owo, he moved to Lagos where he was admitted to Eko Boys High School, Lagos Island from where he undertook his secondary school education from 1960 to 1966. The young Joel was very good with his hands. He was naturally inclined to repairing faults in electrical gadgets. It was no surprise that after his basic education, he chose a career path in line with his natural inclination. He later proceeded to Technical College, where he studied Engineering.
He began his career with the United Africa Company (UAC), Lagos from where he was transferred to their engineering department in Ibadan in 1970. He left UAC in 1982 for the Nigerian Eagles Flour Mills where he worked for several years till he left paid employment to be his own boss.
Prince Joel got married to his beautiful wife and mother of all his children. He was blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren (male and female) who are excelling in their chosen fields of endeavors. He was an exemplary father and husband. He was less concerned with the mundane affairs of society and politics and was extremely involved in his children’s lives. He cultivated a lifelong friendship with certain people which spanned six decades- Chief Adetula, Dr Fatokun, Mr Idowu Oguniya, Mr. Sunday Akeredolu, and his cousin and friend, Dr A.L Olanloye. Through the years, they kept tabs on one another and held themselves accountable on their journey of growth, Faith, and family.
He drew inspiration from his Christian faith began in the Anglican Church. He later worshipped and served in the Baptist Church as a fully committed and active member and then the Eagles Trainers Church a.k.a Heritage Assembly, where he obtained leadership training before proceeding to Christ Image Assembly, Felele branch, Ibadan which was not far from his residence. Having joined the church as far back the nineties, he was very involved in its activities. He served as the Chairman of the Brothers’ fellowship in the church serving in an advisory capacity and the welfare department.
Prince Joel left a legacy of care, leadership, service, accountability, and submission to authority. He will be remembered as a father who was a faithful follower and an exemplary leader. The confidence of all he left behind is that he is with the Lord.
THE RECEPTION
The reception was all-glammed up with baba’s children and in-laws who rocked native and elegant purple-themed Aso Oke, as they received guests from all parts of the country, who came to celebrate the life and times of Prince Joel. The reception was anchored by Saidi Balogun, a veteran movie producer, actor, and a long-standing ambassador of the prestigious real estate company, Adron Homes, owned by one of baba’s sons-in-law, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking.
Saidi Balogun routinely ushered in many gospel music stars who also came from far and wide to perform at their best in honor of Prince Joel.
Guest artistes include Dare Melody, Esther Igbekele, Tope Alabi, Segun Ogungbe, the Owo traditional singers, Remo traditional singers, and many more. Each artist and dance troupe performed at their best, giving the hosts and guests scintillating performances.
It was also a galaxy of royal staffs as many royal fathers were duly represented, such as the Olowo of Owo, Ooni Of Ife, Olofin of Ilisan, Ewusi of Makun, and Olubadan of Ibadan.
-Seun Joseph
