Recently, the Creme-de-la-creme of the society joined Afolayan Adebiyi, of the Feferity Media Group, and his siblings, as they bade their mother, Princess Felicia Abiona Adebiyi, Nee Adedunmola, farewell to immortality in the ancient town of Esa Oke Kingdom, Osun State, South West, Nigeria.
Late Princess Felicia Abiona Adebiyi
Princess Adebiyi (29 July 1937- 04 December 2021) was the daughter of the late Tifada Adedunmola of the Aragadagbagun. Ruling House, Esa Oke. She was a full-fledged businesswoman, dealing in fabrics and textile materials in her lifetime. She was the Iya Egbe Ajihinrere of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Esa Oke before her death.
The Vicar of the Church, Venerable Joseph O. Oni (JP) enjoined all to learn from the life of dedication and commitment of the deceased to Christ and the church’s activities during her lifetime.
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- Choristers at the Church service
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- At the Church Service at St Paul’s Anglican church, Esa Oke
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- At the Church Service at St Paul’s Anglican church, Esa Oke
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- At the Church Service at St Paul’s Anglican church, Esa Oke
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- At the graveside
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- Mr. Taiwo Ogundipe and Mrs. Kehinde Ogundipe at the reception
He charged the congregation to always emulate good deeds in others. As it is the surest path to salvation.
The traditional Chiefs were led by the Prime Minister of Esa Oke Kingdom, High Chief Paul Abimbola Olamiju, and the Osolo of Esa Oke, High Chief Emmanuel Adebanji Ojo, and other chiefs.
Family members, relatives, friends, and social groups amongst her primary constituency, the Osomaalo Group (Textile materials traders), all came gaily dressed to bid one of their leaders farewell.
Her cousin, Dr. Bode Ola, and his wife, Monisola, who came all the way from the United Kingdom to pay their last respect said: “I will surely miss my aunt. I have a special relationship with her. Her exit at this moment is too painful. But God gives and He takes”
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- Dr. Bode Ola flanked by his wife
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- Dr. Bode Ola flanked by Afolayan and wife
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- Dr. Bode Ola flanked by siblings
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- Dr. Bode Ola flanked by his wife, Mrs. Monisola Ola and Mrs. Ola
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- Princess Olabisi, Folakemi and Omolabake
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- The children at the Wake Keep
‘It is hard to believe that you are gone like the wind at a time no one least expected. I can hardly take in the fact that your sudden demise has unexpectedly terminated the memory we share together whenever we meet or speak. Adieu, sister.
No doubt, I will never find another auntie to take your place! You left a hollow no one can ever fill halfway in our family. It is hard to come to terms with the fact that I will never hear from you again.
“Thank you for your leadership and thank you for all your advice, support, and encouragement in my early years. I will sure miss you”, he lamented.
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- Afolayan and another well wisher
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- Afolayan Adebiyi, son of the departed
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- Afolayan and wife, Omolabake
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- Afolayan and another family member
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- Afolayan and other well wishers
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- The Adebiyi’s and the Crown staff carrier
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- At the graveside
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- Afolayan and well wishers looking at mama’s casket
Professor Dayo Adedun in his remarks said, ‘the story of Mama Eredi cannot be said to be fully told in a brief chat like this, as she exhibited various qualities and represented different things to different people. Hers was a life that touched lives in the journey of her own life and affected destinies.
Afolayan with the remains of his late mum
She was social, popular, and accessible. She will be sorely missed, he concluded.
Reports by our Lagos Correspondent.
© Feferity Media Group
Photo and video credit – Afolayan Adebiyi