The agrarian town of Orile-Igbon came alive on Thursday as the remains of Yeye Oba Margaret Oyeronke Alao, the mother of Olugbon of Orile-Igbon and Vice Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olushola Also, was committed to mother earth.
Yeye Oba Alao passed on to glory on November 15, 2024 at the age of 81.
The burial ceremony was marked by solemn tributes and heartfelt eulogies, reflecting the profound impact Deaconess Alao had on her community and the larger society.
Her legacy as a respected matriarch was celebrated, with many dignitaries praising her contributions to the development and well-being of the people around her.
In his sermon at the well attended funeral service at Majesty Natural Resort, Orile-Igbon, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, the Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Lagos, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, urged everyone to give their lives to Jesus Christ.
Using Matthew 18:26, Pastor Ighodalo said what will it profit a man if he is the richest man on earth and have all the power in the world, but failed to make it to heaven.
“The soul of a man is more important than all the riches and treasures in this world . Everything we acquire on earth, we’ll leave them back on earth.
“This life of ours that we live is so short. In the next 80-100 years, everyone of us here would be gone.
“As you buy your gold, shoes, wrist watches, mansions, etc., know that this life is temporary. The essential thing of life is to make it to heaven.
“I celebrate Mama Alao–a true Christian life.
“Mama loved her family so much. She was a chorister and you can see the musical talents being exhibited by her children.
“The greatest thing about Mama is that I believe she made it to heaven. From the pre-qualifications and qualifications she had, I want to believe she made it to heaven.
“Life is not worth living if you do not make it to heaven,” the cleric said.
In his goodwill message, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described the late Yeye Oba Also as a loving and supporting woman.
“We are here to sendforth mama. We give the Almighty God all the appreciation for the life mama lived.
“Mama had a humble beginning. She traded between Nigeria and Ghana early in life. She is an entrepreneur. Mama was a loving and supportive wife, according to account that we read. She was a doting mother to her children. Despite her limited education, she spoke English Language, Hausa, Yoruba and Ghanaian Language fluently.
“The fact that we are all here from across the globe showed the kind of impact mama had. So, the question all of us here should ask ourselves is what do I want to be remembered for?” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, described the late Deaconess Alao as a devoted Christian, a loving mother and wife.
The governor prayed that God will comfort the family and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
Speaking, Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Alao, desribed his late mother as a great disciplinarian and very hard working woman that traded in anything that she could lay her hands on.
The monarch said Yeye Oba Alao has a passion for her husband and family, adding that she was a loyal wife that stood by her husband through thick and thin.
“She was a good mother that tried very hard to ensure that her four boys and two daughters (one deceased) turned out right and successful.
“A great disciplinarian and very hard working woman that traded in anything that she could lay her hands on. She stood by her husband and worked very hard to bridge the financial gap while her husband tried to manage the spiritual and moral upbringing of the children.
“Iya shola was too extremely good to persuade to a fault, she was never a rigid person, very brave and stronghearted woman that is always ready to face life challenges with a strong hope of conquering.
“She was a fashionable and well dressed mother ever fitted in dresses.
“She had this dress senses with combined wares against colour riot…lol. I am proud of her person as a mother whom I came out from.
She will surely be missed by us all,” Olugbon said.
Juju meastro, King Sunny Ade, thrilled guests with his melodious music.
Dignitaries at the funeral include
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Laval; Kwara State Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi; the lawmaker representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Senator Yunus Akintunde; lawmaker representing Osun Central in the National Assembly, Ajagunla Olubiyi Fadeyi, Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Tayo Ayinde; former first ladies of Oyo, Lagos, Kwara and Ogun States, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, Dame Abimbola Fasola, Mrs Toyin Saraki and Mrs Funso Amosun respectively; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; a former member of the Senate, Senator Ayoade Adeseun; Alhaji Basiru Akanbi; Nollywood legend, Chief Lere Paimo; a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Saheed Fijabi; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of LAUTECH, Dr Deji Omole; former member, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Wumi Oladeji; Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Hon Segun Ogunwuyi; Prof. Banji Akintoye, Dr Saka Balogun, prominent bussinessman, Dr Tunde Ayeni, traditional rulers, state lawmakers among others.
