To age with grace is not just about numbers but impact and influence; these were the attributes that described the life and times of the late Chief Dr Christian Francis CFI Ipoola Olaniyan. He was the founder of Victory High School, Victory College, Victory Grammar School, Victory Catering School and five other schools.
The weeklong event started on Monday, June 13, 2022, in Lagos and came to a close at his hometown, Ode-Omu in Osun State on Friday, June 17, 2022, with a grand reception party.
A mammoth crowd had thronged the home of late Dr CFI Olaniyan to commensurate with his widows. As a matter of fact, the entire Olaniyan Close at Abule Onigbagbo, Maryland, Lagos had become a mini-pilgrimage as men of timber and calibre flew in from all over the world to pay their last respect to the late politician and community leader.
On Thursday, family members, old and current students of Victory Group of Schools and well-wishers all gathered at the main auditorium of the Victory High School, Maryland to celebrate the life and times of a great hero. The service of songs only lasted two hours but it was the best two hours for most of the guests because everyone in attendance had a life-long lesson from the way Pa CFI Olaniyan lived his life for the people around him.
Let’s quickly be the first to tell you that two different funeral services held in honour of the late CFI Olaniyan. The first was held at his place of worship in Lagos, the Bola Memorial Anglican Church on Friday morning while the second funeral service held at the St. David Anglican Church, Ode-Omu in the Oke Osun Diocese of Osun State, Nigeria.
City People’s Brands Editor, DAMILARE SALAMI (08155134152) was there with senior Photojournalist, Abdulrasheed Sanni and here are some of the highlights of the event, enjoy.
ABOUT LATE DR CFI OLANIYAN
Chief (Dr) C.F.I Olaniyan JP passed away on April 4, 2022, in Lagos, Nigeria. He is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
During his lifetime, he was the Managing/Proprietor of 8 Schools both in Lagos and his home town, Ode-Omu, Osun State. He was the former Principal of Gbongon/Ode-Omu Grammar, School, Gbongon, Apostolic Church Grammer School, Ibadan and Oriwu College, Ikorodu and retired in 1970. He set up Victory High School in 1969, at a time when there was no secondary school in the whole Ikeja metropolis. Before Victory High School, came on board in 1969, there was only United Local Authority Grammar School at Oshodi. There was none in Ikeja, GRA. There was none in Ikeja Cantonment. But the situation has since changed.
He was the Managing/Proprietor as well as serving Principal of Victory Grammar School, Ikeja he established in September 1990. He was one of the founding fathers of NAPSS, Lagos State Chapter and quintessentially became one-term President. A distinguished socialite, he belonged to the Country Club, Ikeja Club, Ikeja. He was the Bobojiro of Ikeja and Atunluse of Ode Omu, Osun State, Nigeria.
An astute businessman, he established Viclanco Hotel, Ikeja, Victory Motel, Ode-Omu and Victory Petroleum, Ode-Omu. He was one of the founding members of the National Party of Nigeria and he was the Commissioner under the late Dr. Olunloyo and he consequently withdrew from Politics in order to devote his time to education.
Chief (Dr) C.F.I Olaniyan JP was a devoted and highly benevolent Christian. He was the Baba Ijo of St. David Anglican Church, Ode-Omu in the Oke Osun Diocese of Osun State, Nigeria.
BABA OLANIYAN’S CHILDREN WORE UNCOMMON ASO-EBI
Baba Olaniyan was a good father who left good legacies for his children. His legacy wasn’t wealth or affluence; it was proper upbringing in the fear of the Lord and sound education. Every of Papa’s 15 children was well-schooled and they are doing well for themselves all over the world.
It wasn’t a regular Ankara aso-ebi this time around, the children of the late CFI Olaniyan stunned in navy blue and white Adire material. It was well styled in different shapes and designs for both men and women. In all, they all looked good.
THE UNITED WIDOWS OF CFI
Baba Olaniyan had 15 children from 3 wives and all of them are so united. They all wore the same outfits at the service of songs and funeral ceremony. It was obvious that silver was their favourite colour. They wore the same colour on both days. Although the attires were different on both days, they were quite expensive. They sat beside one another and were spotted by City People on many occasions consoling and comforting one another.
CFI OLANIYAN’S REMAINS ATTENDED BOLA MEMORIAL FOR THE LAST TIME
After having spent the best part of his year serving the Lord at the Bola Memorial Anglican Church in Lagos, the remains of Pa CFI Olaniyan was ushered into the auditorium for the last time by the presiding Bishop of the church on Friday. It was well-received with a standing ovation and applauds by the congregants who were already seated. While a couple of people were weeping because they would miss the good heart and gesture of CFI Olaniyan, others were celebrating his victory over death. The fact that CFI Olaniyan had touched many lives and transformed them from worse to the better was enough consolation for his wives and children who had taken solace in God.
OMEGA FUNERAL HOME WAS ON POINT
Let’s also be the first to inform you that Omega Funeral home took care of Pa Olaniyan’s remains. Baba’s remains rode in an expensive white Chevrolet SUV to the church from the morgue. It also rode in the same luxurious car to its final place of abode in faraway in Ode-Omu, Osun State.
A HEAP OF ACCOLADES POUR ON CFI OLANIYAN
If the testimonies of men determined the quality of life, then it is apt to say that CFI Olaniyan lived a life of selfless service to mankind. At the service of songs on Thursday, a number of people were required to share some of their encounters with CFI Olaniyan and a lot of people were moved to tears. This was because different accounts of his impacts on the people he knew personally and those he influenced via his school were revealed. His old and current students at Victory Group of Schools with about 8 branches in Lagos and Osun States were also fully represented.
WHY BOLA MEMORIAL ANGLICAN CHURCH WOULD FOREVER REMEMBER CFI
So many good things were said about CFI Olaniyan but first among them was how he accommodated the first priest at Bola Memorial Anglican Church, Reverend Adekanye for several years. This came to be after the church lodged a complaint about not receiving the Holy Communion for about a year. His gesture changed that narrative completely.
Another very important action of his was when he volunteered to be the President of his society for another term after a lot of people refused to take up the responsibility. According to an eyewitness account, Baba Olaniyan asked if they would watch and allow the society to die… He picked up the responsibility and died as the President of the society.
BABA OLANIYAN FOUNDED HIS SCHOOL TO CATER TO THE NEEDS OF UNKNOWN CHILDREN
It was also revealed at the service of songs that 50 per cent of the students at Victory Group of Schools run on scholarships funded by CFI Olaniyan. According to some of the beneficiaries, they wouldn’t have had headway in life if not for the support they got from the late proprietor of the school.
VICTORY HIGH SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION FULLY REPRESENTED
The alumni association of Victory High School, Victory College and Victory Grammar School were fully represented. Of a truth, CFI Olaniyan lived a fulfilled life. He has made many doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, politicians, religious leaders and many other top-class Nigerians across all tribes and religions.
Prince (Dr) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, SAN, the Chairman, Board of Trustees Victory High School/Victory College Old Students Association had this to say about CFI Olaniyan…
“I came personally to Odeomu, your home, on 25th April. 2022. Our Father Emeritus, You made life easy and pleasurable for us your children of the Victory School family.
“You attained greatness by dint of hard work and you impacted most positively in our lives. You were more than an inspiration and a mentor. You lived well and served the Lord.
“You gave us wings to fly. Today we soar high. We will miss you but we are assured you are with our Lord. Rest in peace our Darling Father Emeritus. We love you; rest in peace, Amen.”
BOLA MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM FILLED TO THE BRIM
The main auditorium of the Bola Memorial Anglican Church, Abule Onigbagbo, Maryland was completely filled to the brim on Friday during the funeral of Pa CFI Olaniyan. Many wondered if the entire Lagos population made it a date at the event. That was the kind of influence Pa Olaniyan pulled even in death.
ALAKETU OF KETU CAME THROUGH
Of course, it is no longer news that Obas don’t attend funeral services but many of them have devised a means of making their presence felt at such events. That was exactly what the Alaketu of Ketu- Ikosi, Oba Isiaka Balogun did; he sent his staff of office and a handful of his high chiefs to represent his interest.
The Alaketu of Ketu is the traditional ruler of Ikosi-Ejinrin L.C.D.A, Lagos.
26 MINISTERS IN ATTENDANCE
Many were surprised but not shocked when the presiding Bishop of Bola Memorial announced that there were 26 Ministers of God in attendance from across the country. That was the kind of influence the late CFI pulls even among men of God. As a matter of fact, some of them had to reschedule their morning mass to be in attendance.
THE GIRLS BRIGADE NIGERIA ALSO CAME THROUGH
The national leaders of the Girls Brigade Nigeria were among the corporate organizations that came to honour Pa CFI Olaniyan in death. They came in their number and uniform. They stood out as a Para-military organization and added some colour to the event.
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