Madam ELIZABETH MODUPEOLA ADETUNJI Buried In Style

•Details Of The Classy Burial In LAGOS

Thursday 20th of October 21, 2022 was a day of celebration of life as popular celebrity woman, Yinka Ogunde (Nee Adetunji) and her siblings gave their late mum, Mrs. Elizabeth Modupeola Adetunji (Nee Wilhelm) a glamorous burial ceremony in Lagos.

 Late Mrs. Elizabeth Modupeola Adetunji (Nee Wilhelm) was a native of Isale Ake in Abeokuta. She was of the lineage of the great Pa Andrew Desaolu Wilhelm, the man who served as interpreter for the renowned English Christian Missionary, Reverend Henry Townsend of the blessed memory. Mrs. Elizabeth transited to glory on September 3rd, 2022 at the gracious age of 87 and was survived by 4 successful children namely, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde; a renowned media and PR Consultant, Ms. Folashade Adetunji; first female Nigerian to bag a First Class Degree from the Faculty of Law in UNILAG, Engineer Segun Adetunji; a Civil and Structural Engineer of International repute and Mr. Olumide Adetunji; a consummate lawyer in Canada. She also left behind grandchildren, great grands and quite a large number of her extended family.

 Prior to the final burial ceremony, there were a series of programmes which were meticulously organized to celebrate the late Mrs. Elizabeth. They Held family Remembrance Night, Powder Day, Radio Day, Hair Net Day, all in memory of their matriarch. These ran for almost a week as the entire family saw the need to rejoice together as they remembered their beloved matriarch for good. She was indeed a great and highly influential figure in the family. She was indeed a woman of virtue whom they all acknowledged as a major rallying point in the lovely family. City People covered some of these activities and it’s giving a detailed report of the eventful and glamorous burial ceremony.

FAMILY

REMEMBRANCE DAY

The week-long ceremony began on Saturday 15th October, 2022 when the entire family converged at her residence in Ikoyi for a Family Remembrance Day. The occasion which was held till late in the evening availed for all members of the family, both immediate and extended to relish the fond moments they had with the deceased. The Zoom virtual platform was created for those that could not be physically present at the event to take part on the day. It was quite exciting and engaging. Many of them spoke extensively on how she influenced their lives. They saw her as a selfless person, disciplinarian and bridge that always links the family at all times. They all had a nice time as gospel singer, Mosunmola Olaitan, popularly known as Mosun Exalter and the band entertained them with her soul lifting classics. She stole the show with her sweet melodies which were largely soul inspiring. Also dazzled on the day was a young chap and one of the grand sons of the deceased, Toyosi Adetunji. The talented Toyosi played a special saxophone rendition of the song “Iyaniwura iyebiye” with great dexterity that excited everyone. Worthy of note was when Yinka Ogunde, her siblings and their aunties sang the lovely song “Mr. Police”. They sang the Yoruba and English versions of the song while they danced and had fun. Before the event was concluded, Reverend Kayode Okunnuga held a short exhortation. Meanwhile, he commended the children for taking good care of their mother when she was alive and for also deeming it fit to give her a befitting burial. He however prayed for them and the entire family that God should continue to uphold them and make them stronger in faith. It was a day of remembrance which brought the entire family together.

THE CRISTIAN

WAKE SERVICE

The Christian Wake Service for Late Mrs. Elizabeth was held on Wednesday 19th October, 2022 at the Grace Gardens Event Centre in Lekki Phase1, Lagos. The service was coordinated by Reverend Canon Felix Atoki, the Vicar, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Bariga where the deceased worshipped. Quite a number of Prayers and Hymns were said as Bible verses were also read at the service. The WAZOBIA Voices Choral Group and The Chopin Choral Group were at their best as they gave wonderful special renditions to entertain the congregation. The service was highly classy and very colorful. The choice of the event centre was top notch. It created the right and serene environment for the occasion. The hall was decorated with White accessories and it was so specious that it occupied the entire congregation seamlessly. The colour worn by most of the guests was sky blue with navy cap and head gear to complement their respective outfits.

EARLY MORNING ON THE DAY OF THE FINAL BURIAL

The final burial ceremony was held on 20th October, 2022, the following day after the wake service was held. As early as 7am on the day, the body of late Mrs. Elizabeth Adetunji was laid in state at her residence in Ikoyi. She was lying in an elegantly carved white casket. Between 7am and 9am, family, friends, and wellwishers of the deceased were given the privilege of seeing her lifeless body for the last time before she would be taken to the church for burial service and then interment. Yinka Ogunde and her siblings spent lots of time paying their last respect to their beloved mum. They prayed and hoped to meet her again in heaven when death would have been overcome.

HOW MAMA’S BODY ARRIVED CHURCH FOR THE BURIAL SERVICE

 At exactly 9am, the body of Mama was set for the burial service at the Diocese of Lagos Anglican Communion, Church of Nativity located in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi. Taking charge of the corpse were undertakers from Mercy Funerals, a prominent and highly sought-after funeral service providing company in town. They did well in conveying the deceased from her residence to the church. They threw a classy and glamorous display as mama was lifted while they displayed a number of lovely dance steps. It was a befitting show, something which many parents would long for from their children when they die.

The body of the deceased accompanied by her children, family and wellwishers had arrived at the church before 11 am which was the exact time slated for the burial service. The undertakers continued pulling lots of stunts while they awaited the reception of the body for the service. Children and the entire family also took time to exchange pleasantries and took lovely pictures.   At exactly 11am, the body of Mama was received by the church after which the burial service began. The interior of the church is exquisite and commands class. It was a great architectural masterpiece. Everything in the church was elegant. The burial service went smoothly as lots of prayers and hymns were read.

CANON FELIX ATOKI DELIVERED A SOUL INSPIRING SERMON

Canon Felix Atoki is a highly respected man of God. He is the vicar at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Bariga and one of the top priests at the burial service. He was saddled with the task of delivering the sermon of the day. During his sermon, he called the attention of the large congregation that attended the service to the vainness of life. He reminded them that “Nothing is permanent in life”. He gave them many instances and many life examples to buttress this. Meanwhile, he cautioned the congregation to trend life softly. He took time to extoll the deceased as someone who was always after the welfare of people around her. He recollected how she would always call him to ask after his well being and that of members of the congregation one after the other. He said she would even ask people he never knew or met in the church.

REMARKABLE MOMENTS AT THE BURIAL SERVICE

It would interest you to know that the burial service was one of its kind. It was filled with lots of remarkable moments. It was indeed a service in the presence of God for late Mrs. Elizabeth Adetunji. Among the many exciting moments of the service was the special rendition done by classic musician, Ifunanya Anekwe. The WAZOBIA Choral Group also came on board to deliver a classic music performance. They both wowed the congregation. The Withdrawal hymn was sung as the undertakers returned to duty as they carried Mama Majestically out of the church for the interment service. The church service was attended by, Mrs. Folashade Amosun; the former first lady of Ogun State. She was very much around to join the family in celebrating their matriarch as she actively participated in every activity done during the service. She waited till the very end of the church programme before she left.

SERVICE AT THE GRAVEYARD

The body of Mama was taken to her place of final rest. Children and family members of the deceased proceeded to the highbrow Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens to commit the body of their matriarch to dust as that is where every living soul shall return to. The service at the grave side was conducted by the priests from the Anglican Communion. After hymns and bible verses were read in reflection of the true reality of death and affirmation of faith. She was laid to rest where the bodies of many eminent Nigerians that made a mark in the country were buried. Their mother must be indeed proud in heaven that she left behind worthy children who gave her a befitting place of final rest. After the interment was concluded, there was a heavy downpour which is a significant one. Many people said it was a good sign that mama was indeed great as the heavens have received her soul wholeheartedly. It was within the showers of blessing that the family left the vaults and gardens for the next phase of the ceremony; the reception party.

THE GLAMOROUS RECEPTION PARTY

The reception party was held at the Harbour Point, a popular events centre in Victoria Island, Lagos state. It was the celebration of the good life of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Adetunji. The children and family of the deceased did well in holding a befitting burial for their matriarch as the ceremony that was held for her is about to be concluded. The reception hall was filled to the brim. Everyone in the hall was well dressed in the colourful Ankara Aso-Ebi. The reception party was a glamorous one. It was more like a music concert as the likes of Laolu Gbenjo, and Sola Sax thrilled the hosts and their respective guests. The party was anchored by the duo of MC Vicky Dancer Akingbade and MC Elgee. They both combined well in giving the event the needed spice of the day. Yinka Ogunde with her darling husband and her siblings arrived at the venue in grand style. They were ushered into the hall with lovely music courtesy the wave making Laolu Gbenjo and his LG Band. Other family members joined them as they danced in. Yinka later gave a quite remarkable speech on why she and her sibling would forever be grateful to their mum for her love and care. Meanwhile she was joined by her siblings, husband and the family as they sang lovely songs their matriarch taught them. Yinka and her siblings had splendid moments on the dance floor as the MCs invited them one after the other as they were joined by their respective guests on the dance floor.

ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA-ORDINAIRE

Laolu Gbenjo and his LG Band had a wonderful performance on stage. In their usual way, their music moved many people in the hall to dance with great pleasure. Another ecstatic performance witnessed at the party was that of Sola Sax and Band. The most exciting was when Laolu Gbenjo joined Sola Sax to thrill the audience. They had a great combination as many people were already imagining having both artists wax a track together. They both had a collaboration which was quite energetic. It was lovely to watch them perform on the same stage.  

 THE OGUNDES DAZZLE

Barrister Wemimo Ogunde is a proud and respected son of Pa Hubert Ogunde. He is the son-in-law turned first son of late Mama Elizabeth. He hit the dance floor with his family, the Ogundes as they joined their beloved Sister-In-law, Yinka to celebrate with her. They held the audience spellbound when they switched to their native song as sung by their Patriarch, Pa Hubert Ogunde. They sang and danced their cultural way as Mrs. Oloruntegbe Vitoria (Nee Ogunde) led them in the lovely and highly instructive songs. The Ogundes are a lovely family. They have once again showed greatness at the party. They however expressed the love they had for Yinka and her family as they prayed God continues to uphold them in goodness following the burial of their matriarch.

GRANDCHILDREN ROCKED THE DANCE FLOOR

The party was not over as it was time for the grandchildren to hit the dance floor. The LG band was still fully on ground to dish out classic and contemporary music. The mood of the party became livelier. Even the other generations of the family quickly joined the groove of the evening.

FROM THE VENDORS CORNER

Kudos goes to all the vendors at the party. They all did wonderfully well in making the party hitch free as the hosts and their guests enjoyed every bit of the services provided at the reception party. The party was planned and managed by Magna Events while bouncers from KSquare ensured the venue was adequately secured for the hosts and their guests. All the delicious meals served at the party were prepared and served by Funky Marvelous Catering Service. The trio of Legend Small Chops, Cake Gallery and Equal Rights Small Chops provided snacks to whet the appetite of guests. Baroni Mobile Bar was strategically positioned in the hall to cater for most of the Alcoholic drinks served while Richbeth Drinks, including the water, took charge of every drink served at the party. Her service boys were seen every now and then diligently working and taking orders from guests. They were indeed the spinal column upon which the glamorous party rested. They all made the party a worthwhile occasion.

WHAT THE CHILDREN AND ENTIRE FAMILY WILL MISS ABOUT THEIR MATRIARCH

Late Mrs. Elizabeth Modupeola Adetunji (Nee Wilhelm) was a mother indeed to her children and joy to the entire family. She was loved by all. She never joked with the welfare of any member of the family as called from time to time to ensure everyone was doing fine. She was a matriarch and no doubt, a rallying point for the family. Family members laid lots of credence to this while paying their tributes to her as they narrated how she was very accommodating and fun to be with. They fondly called her “Sister Mi” and “Granny Babes”. It was boldly written on their facial expression how much they all love and would forever remember their matriarch.