Adebayo Adenrele
Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, former governors of Ekiti State; Dr. John Kayode Fayemi and Engr. Segun Oni and Leader of the Senate, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, have mourned and condoled with a Chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Ekiti North senatorial candidate in the February election, Funso Ayeni over his mother’s death, Chief Mrs. Victoria Yewande Ayeni, aged 83.
Others who have commiserated with the top corporate player, turned politician are; a former Minority Leader in the Senate, Abiodun Olujimi, former Chairman of Ekiti State Local Government Commission, Arc. Sola Omotoso and a former member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Omotoso.
Fayemi, Oni, Bamidele and Olujimi who reached out to Ayeni separately condoled with the Ekiti born politician, assuring him that his mother lived a fulfilled life.
Oba Ogunwusi who urged Ayeni to put his solace in the exemplary life lived by his late mother waxed biblically by quoting from the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3 vs 1-2, which teaches Christians on times and seasons. While commending Ayeni for his contribution to humanity, he urged the Ikole Prince not to derail in his service to the people and commitment to better the society.
Arc. Omotoso, in a personally signed message urged the deceased family, friends and associates, as well as indigenes of Ilamo Ekiti, in Ikole Local Government of Ekiti State, to put their solace in the fact that mama Ayeni lived a life worthy of emulation.
”On behalf of my family and associates in business and politics, I sympathise with my brother, Hon. Funso Ayeni on the demise of his beloved mother, Mama Victoria Ayeni.
”I also send my heartfelt condolences to the entire Ayeni family and the people of Ikole Ekiti over the death of the politician’s mother.
”The elderly and wise counsel of Mama Ayeni would be sorely missed, not only by his family but the entire people of her community.
”I pray God will grant Mama Ayeni eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ayeni has described the condolence messages from various Ekiti leaders who share different political leanings as humbling and a confirmation of the cosmopolitan nature of Ekiti people.
“Though we are mourning our darling mother but events in the last 72 hours have further assured me that Ekiti is one indivisible entity. I’m humbled for the way Ekiti leaders identified with me over the death of our mother. Former Governor Fayemi is a leader in the All Progressives Congress, former Governor Òní is in Social Democratic Party, Senator Bamidele is also a member of the ruling APC, but despite our different political parties, they see me first as their own ‘aburo’ and reached out to me over my mum’s death. I’m indebted to them all.” Ayeni said.