By Banji Ayoola
The slain daughter of Afenifere national leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Mrs Olufunke Asabi Olakunri was buried on Monday in Akure the Ondo State capital amid calls by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Akure Anglican Bishop, Revd Simeon Borokini on the Federal Government to urgently find solution to the worsening security challenges confronting Nigeria as a nation.
Her remains were interred at the cemetery of Saint David’s Anglican Church Cathedral in an emotion laden atmosphere exclusively witnessed by the widower, Mr Idowu Olakunri, their two children, close relatives and the priests.
Mrs. Olakunrin’s killing by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Kajola village, along the Benin-Ore road in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State penultimate Friday, had sparked off a nationwide outrage.
The interment was preceded by a funeral service which was attended by five governors in the South West, two former governors, ex ministers, commissioners, top government functionaries from the region, and leading professionals who had traveled from far and near to bid the deceased farewell.
At the church service were Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of Ondo State; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Seyi Makinde, Oyo; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; and Babajide Sanwo Olu, Lagos; former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; former Ekiti State Governor, Chief Segun Oni; Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale; former Commissioner for Information in Ondo State, Chief Segun Adegoke; former Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN; former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; Osun State former Deputy Governor, Otunba Iyiola Omisore; former Nigeria Bar Association President, Chief Wole Olanipekun; PDP Chairman in Ondo State, Engnr Clement Faboyede; APC Chairmann in Ondo State, Engnr Ade Adetimehin; Chief Pius Akinyelure; Former Labour Zenith Party’s senatorial candidate for Ondo South, Mr. Eni Akinsola; Justice Osadebey; High Chief Obasuyi; Prince Wale Olateru-Olagbegi; Prince Lanre Awosika; Prince Adebanjo Edema; Pricess Wumi Olateru-Olagbegi; Chif Sanya Oyinsan; Mr Orimoloye; PDP South West spokesman, Mr Ayo Fadaka; Mr. Sola Aregbesola; Mr. Badmus; Mr. Lateef Kolawole; and Mr. Azeez Mojeed among numerous others.
There were representatives of the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Akure high chiefs and a huge crowd of relatives, friends and sympathisers
In his condolence message sent to the families of the deceased, which he personally signed, Obasanjo described Mrs. Olakunri’s killing as “a worrisome development in our polity especially at a time when all well meaning Nigerians are preaching tolerance and political accommodation in national politics.”
The former President said: “I must say Nigeria as a whole is diminished by the manner of Funke’s death. We deplore the dastardly act and I seize this opportunity to call on governments at all levels to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our country Nigeria vigorously pursues and finds the perpetrators of such heinous crime and make them face the full wrath of the law.
We must, together, find solution to all acts of insecurity in the country particularly acts of banditry, kidnapping, robbery and killing by the suspected Fulani herdsmen.
As you mourn the tragic loss of our very dear Funke, please be assured of the sympathy and profound sorrow of many others like me who are saddened by the manner of her demise especially as she still had a lot to contribute to the nation and her family to which she was highly devoted.”
In his sermon which was entitled “Prepare to meet your God,” Borokini said that it is time for Nigerians to turn to the Almighty Father and seek His mercy in resolving the problems of the nation.
His words: “Millions of people are wounded. Millions are broken. As a nation, we need to look unto God and cry for mercy. Sin and wickedness continue to increase on daily basis. We need to call on God and our government to do the needful. It is then we can receive help as a nation.
“We seize this opportunity to appeal to our government to improve security services so that the number of lives that are being wasted all the time would be reduced. As I used to say, any time you take a step from your house, you take a bigger risk. Even when you are in your house, you are still taking a risk.”
He was particularly disturbed at the frightening level of insecurity in the land, as he recalled that some bandits recently ambushed the Ondo State Governor, Akeredolu, even in a convoy, on the Ibadan – Akure road. Accordindg to him, the governor was fortunate only because of the official security ring around him, unlike the majority of defenceless Nigerians.
The cleric lamented that Nigeria, Ondo State and Akure community have missed a gem in the late Mrs. Olakunri, whom he described as a source of joy to many, the machine gun of the family, a coordinator, fashion consultant and a political guru.
He told the congregation: “You who are here today to bid our sister Olufunke Asabi Olakunri farewell, I call your attention to a rare gem that we are missing, a prominent daughter of the state, and Akure community.
She was the source of joy to many, the machine gun of the family, a coordinator, fashion consultant, a political guru. If she had contested, may be starting from the House of Assembly, she would have won the election. But she was playing her politics to impact people positively.
She was always concerned about the plight of the Yoruba. Funke got married to Mr. Idowu Olakunri of the Elewere dynasty of Owo. She had so many friends in her social, political and spiritual circles.
Her role as daughter of Afenifere leader was distinct. She was always concerned about the unity of the Yoruba race despite different political ideologies and parties. She believed that all the Yoruba must be united at all cost.
If you are fortunate to die and your corpse is brought to a place like this, you are lucky. If you are fortunate to have a befitting burial like this, you are lucky. One thing that is very important whether we like it or not, is that there is a book for everyone of us; record is being taken whether we like it or not. Whether you are old or young, a baby, it is certain.
Nigerians have lost a gem. Ondo State has lot a gem. Akure community has lost a gem. We must be ready to face our God. Are you ready, am I ready?”
Bishop Borokini said that it is only the Lord Who can comfort the relatives of the deceased, saying: “The husband of our sister, the children and the families, it is only the Lord that can comfort you; and that is why we need to believe in Him.
The two children left behind by our sister, our grandpa, Papa Fasoranti, it is only the Lord Who can turn your sorrow to joy. It is only He Who can wipe away your tears.”
Noting that “we have a limited time to spend here, whether you spend 120 years, he rained curses on the “bloodthirsty deceitful men and women in this nation.”
On the sidelines, Fani-Kayode told The Radiance that the manner of Mrs. Olakunrin’s death was condemnable and shameful. He described the incident as a shame on her killers.
On his own, Adegoke noted that the funeral was well attended “and I am very happy in the sense that the Bishop who preached the sermon is a fearless bishop that speaks straight to power.
He said in an interview: “Now Olakunri’s death is just a pointer to the situation in this country. For example if she had died a natural death, all that happened now would not have happened. But because God wants to let people know that this thing is coming gradually to touch individuals.
Why Chief Fasoranti of all people, a good old man who has lived a modest life. All through his life he is sincere, honest incorruptible man, caring for the masses. Why should it be his daughter? God is working in a mysterious way.
We want people in Nigeria to know that we are in a difficult problem, and that unless something is done, in this country, things would be worse. You heard the bishop. He said it’s happening on daily basis and it’s getting worse and worse and worse.
So, as far as I am concerned, we should try as much as possible, especially we the Yoruba, because it appears now that it is everybody to himself, and God for us all. So the South West people must coordinate themselves, unite and prevent this massacre. And I hope that the Lord will help us.”
