•Details Of The 2-Day Burial Rites For Olori ADEWALE BEATRICE AINA
On Thursday and Friday, December 23 and 24 2021, the city of Lagos went agog as a classy burial was thrown to celebrate the life and time of Queen Beatrice Aina Adewale, a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who passed on at the ripe age of 98.
The burial was far from mourning, it can be best described as a carnival. Everything put in place for an effective ceremony was top-notch. Starting from the entourage that went to pick Mama’s remains from the morgue, down to the Christian wake, church service, the internment and reception party, there were a series of talking points that painted the kind of life Mama Adewale lived.
Let’s also quickly tell you that the funeral rite thrown for Olori Adewale was the definition of luxury even in death. Should we mention the Escalade that led the convoy that took Mama’s remains from the morgue down to the venue of the lying in state or the way cash was flying about at the reception party? We have not even mentioned how MC Jimi-Jairo and Woli Agba thrilled the guests. Should we also mention the stunts Mama’s grandchildren threw at the wake or how tears flowed at the gravesite?
Have we also mentioned how there was more than enough to eat at every stage of the ceremony? Not many people would see how Budweiser beer came with drums of beer to share with beer lovers in cups and the after-party bash.
The event also showed that when you have good friends that can watch your back, you may as well go to bed after committing assignments into their care. This was the exact analysis of the roles played by Mr Omotayo Joshua and Mr Bosun Agboola aka Bossman who were practically everywhere ensuring that everything is in order.
City People’s Brands Editor, DAMILARE SALAMI 08155134152 and Senior Photojournalist, Abdulrasheed Sanni were present on both days and in this report, they bring you all the behind the scene gists as well as beautiful pictures from the event. Below are excerpts, enjoy.
ABOUT OLORI BEATRICE AINA ADEWALE (1923-2021)
Mama Beatrice Aina Adewale Nee Beatrice Aina Ajileye Ayun popularly called Eyee Beatrice Ayana. She was born to the family of late Pa. Ajileye Ayun and late Mrs Ogunsemokun Asao Ajileye Ayun at Are’s quarters Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti South by then in the late 1923. Mama’s father died before her birth which caused a lot of step backs in her early age. Mama was the last born of her parents, she had three siblings before her but not of the same father. One of them who happened to be a male child of her mother took care of mama. Mama grew up to know this man as her father, late Pa. Joshua Giwa Adu. Mama was loved by every member of her family both on her maternal and paternal side because she possessed a good and loving character even till her death. She can go to any length to render any assistance to anybody that comes her way. All the tenants that lived with her knew mama as iya alaanu meaning a kind woman, she also stretched her hand to the needy.
Mama was a virtuous woman, a lover of all her children without the exemption of none. She guided her loins with strength for the survival of her children. As old as mama was she had the list of names and pictures of all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to pray for them at all times.
MIGHTY CONVOY HEADED TO THE MORGUE
Leaving Magodo Phase I estate in Shangisha Lagos, on Thursday morning was a very long entourage of more than 25 luxurious cars that headed to the morgue for Mama’s remains as preparation for the funeral rites began. The vehicles had all Mama’s children and their spouses, the grandchildren, immediate family members and very close associates. There were security officials on duty who made sure that there was free-flow traffic for all road users all through the journey.
OMEGA FUNERAL HOME WAS IN CHARGE
The trip landed at Omega Funeral Home located at Ojodu Abiodun, a border town between Lagos and Ogun State. The undertakers were fully prepared and their performance left good memories on the minds of those in attendance. The outfit on the first day was a well designed white polo shirt with Mama’s image beautifully engraved in it. It gave a clear description of the event but more importantly, it looked more like a carnival than a funeral.
MEET MAMA’S CHILDREN
Mama died empty after living a very fulfilled life. Let’s be the first to tell you that virtually all of Mama’s children are ministers of God either directly or indirectly. First among her children is Pastor Mrs Stella Bolatito Farotimi, Deaconess Popoola Aderonke Esther, Lady Evangelist Janet Oluwayemisi, Mrs Odubola Adenike Helen and the only surviving son, crowned prince Adewale Aderibigbe Adetayo.
CHRISTIAN WAKE HELD AT MRA OPEN GROUND
At about 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 23, 2021, the Magodo Residential Area (MRA) Open Ground had come alive with a blast of heavenly minded tunes welcoming guests one after the other as they gathered for the Wake of the late Mama Beatrice Adewale.
It was an all-white affair and this gave the atmosphere some heavenly look as Mama’s remains was wheeled to the decorated banquet for the lying in state. Although it wasn’t a moment to grief but the thought of missing a beloved mother and grandmother moved some of the children to tears. The lying in state didn’t take too much time but it was very emotional and memorable too.
MAMA’S GRANDCHILDREN THREW EMOTIONAL PERFORMANCE
One of the most touching parts of the wake was the performance of Mama’s grandchildren. It was a music rendition composed by the children but it left their parents and other family members in tears. The rendition saw one of Mama’s granddaughters on the drums while her grandson was on the piano. After much emotion had been poured out, Prince Adetayo who is popularly known as Ja rule led the cash spray on the beautiful angels before other siblings joined the train.
PRINCESS AROLAKE ADEWALE WEPT PROFUSELY
Not many people caught Princess Arolake Adewale, the wife of Prince Adewale Adetayo weeping so profusely but City People did. She was caught on camera while the grandchildren were having their rendition. However, she was wrapped in the loving arms of her husband who ensured that she wasn’t left alone. Of a truth, not many wives are sincerely in love with their mothers-in-law but Princess Arolake cannot be named among such women. After a while, she was required to share some of her experiences with Mama and she couldn’t because her emotions couldn’t bear the loss of a near-perfect mother-in-law.
GIVE IT TO BOSSMAN AND MR TAYO JOSHUA
Many people played different roles at the event but some people were very outstanding. Worthy of mention is Mr Omotayo Joshua and Mr Bosun Agboola aka Bossman who ensured that every part of the event went as planned. If any success is accrued to the event, these two men will share a large portion of the accolades. They were virtually everywhere, making sure that there were no hitches and in places where problems arose, they were spontaneously providing solutions to such problems.
GREEN WAS THE COLOUR OF THE DAY
Everywhere was green. The Ankara Aso-Ebi took over the church and reception hall. But beyond that, the fashion statement made at the party was highly classy. Mama’s children also stunned in green and red Aso-Ofi before changing into another shade of green lace for the reception party.
BRIEF BUT HIGHLY SPIRITUAL CHURCH SERVICE
Day 2 of the event started as Mama’s remains arrived at the church for the last time. The programme held at RCCG Lagos Province 2, Israel Assembly situated at Plot 8, Jobi Fele Way, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos. The service wasn’t very prolonged like the usual burial services in other denominations but it was very effective and spiritual.
Pastor Abiodun Williams in his message revealed that there is nothing to fear about death because it is merely a means of transition to another phase of life. He rounded off his message with a prayer session for the family and Mama’s children especially. Other ministers of God in attendance also joined the prayer session.
MAMA FINALLY LAID TO REST
Fast-forward to the cemetery where mama’s remains was committed to the mother earth, it was no other than the Omega Funeral Home cemetery in Ojodu Abiodun, Ogun State. Mama was laid to rest amidst luxury and mixed emotions. As the children were celebrating a transition into glory, they were also very emotional; being humans, they will sorely miss their beloved mother whom they all refer to as their pillar and backbone. Pastor Abiodun Williams conducted the funeral service before everyone departed to the reception party.
CANAAN LAND EVENT CENTER HOSTS RECEPTION Party
After much emotion, it was time to party and this was done in a big way. The Canaan Land Event Center in Ojodu, Lagos was the most appropriate venue for the party. It is not just about its proximity to the cemetery, it is a luxury venue with classy facilities. Within a few hours, the venue had been totally transformed into a haven. The atmosphere set the mood right for party time.
MC JIMI-JAIRO, WOLI AGBA TURNED THE VENUE UPSIDE DOWN
Fast-rising compere, MC jimi-Jairo is gradually becoming a household name in the entertainment industry. He was the compere at the event and he did it alongside popular gospel comic act, Woli Agba. They both cracked up the guests and got much love in return. The event went on without anyone being bored because MC Jimi-Jairo and Woli Agba entertained the guests far beyond their expectations. It was indeed a perfect combination.
THE EAGLES INTERNATIONAL BAND PERFORMED WONDERS
One of the things that gave the event the typical Naija Owambe face was the performance of the live band. The Eagles International Band headed by Omoba Orun thrilled so tirelessly that he became a talk of the town at the event. The band is no doubt one of the best in the country and with performances like this coming up week-in, week-out, they will definitely take their place among the stars.
THE SIFAX GROUP TURNED UP
Give it to the SIFAX Group, they represented their brand so well at the party. Everyone knows that this group is a conglomerate and it is one of the biggest brands that have faces in almost every sector in Nigeria. The SIFAX Group came through for Prince Adewale Adetayo. A further finding by City People revealed that he is also a strong member of the group. To say that they sprayed cash at the event would simply be undermining them. You needed to see what went down there by yourself.
WHAT ABOUT THE COMMITTEE OF FRIENDS?
They had the last dance but it simply meant that the best was saved for the last. The committee of friends is a group of friends and professionals in different walks of life. They came through for one of their own, Prince Adewale Adetayo but they came in a big way. They were dressed in black Agbada with the same design and some of them came with their spouses. They spent heavily on the celebrants both on and off the stage.
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