Ilaro Agog As Gov Abiodun, Senator Adeola, Others Grace Burial Of Pa Josiah Odunaro

MICHAEL AKINOLA

 The popular Yewa Frontier Hotel in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government area of Ogun State, was beehive of activities on Saturday 11th December, 2021, as the former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Olusegun Osoba and current Media Adviser to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, Chief Kayode Odunaro, gave his late father, Pa Josiah Abidemi Odunaro, a befitting burial.

The burial party turned carnival had in attendance movers and shakers of Ogun State politics, as top government functionaries stormed the conference hall of the Frontier Hotel to honour the Media Connoisseur, Chief Kayode Odunaro.

At the Church service, held at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Ilaro, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who led the State Government entourage, described the late Nonagenarian as a disciplinarian, who instilled moral and fear of God into his children.

Governor Abiodun, who was represented by his Commissioner for Budget Planning, Mr. Laolu Olabimtan, said the role ‘Baba Olopa’ played during the peace-keeping mission to Congo in 1963 helped Nigeria resolve the age-long crisis on the African continent.

In his remark, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi, thanked God for a life well spent by the deceased, saying he grew up to know late Josiah Odunaro as a community leader and God-fearing person with kind-hearted virtue.

Senator Yayi, who spoke glowing of the deceased, prayed God to gift him longevity and good health to touch lives as exemplified by the late Police Officer.

Immediately after the church service, the train moved en mass to the reception where guests were treated to sumptuous meals and good music.

The late Odunaro was the Osi Ajiroba of Olu Ilaro-Yewa. He joined the Nigeria Police College in 1950 and began his long career as a law enforcement officer that took him across most towns and communities in Southern Nigeria as well as outside the shores of Nigeria for 28years until his voluntary retirement as a Sergeant Major in 1978.

Late Odunaro, who died at age 98, is survived by 10 Children, 27 Grand Children, and 7 Great Grand children.

Other important personalities that attended the colorful burial ceremony are the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Abiodun on Political Affairs, Rt. Hon. Tunji Egbetokun, Majority leader, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Yusuff Abiodun, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Taiwo Oludotun, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Funmi Efuwape, Commissioner for Cooperatives, Hon. Ganiu Hamzat.

Others are Chief M. Ajibola, Chief Iyabo Apampa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Hon. Ojolowo, Dr. Kunle Salako, Local Government Chairmen of Imeko, Yewa South, Yewa North, and Ipokia are all in attendance, and Rt. Hon. Emeka Stanley, Sole Administrator of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission.