MICHAEL AKINOLA
FROM (L – R) Elder (Chief) Akin Adejumo (Provost) , Mrs. Adenike Hyde, President DBN, Mr. Osa Sonny Adun, His Eminence, The Most Rev. (Dr. ) Emmanuel Josiah Udofia, Mrs. Oyinkansola Adun and Mr. Tunde Onitiri at the Outing Service
The late pioneer director of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Professor Herbert Maurice Adebola Onitiri (OFR) who passed on 16 December, 2016 has been committed to mother earth.
The interment which took place at the highbrow Ebony Vaults on Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos marked the end of the funeral obsequies.
It all began with a service of songs in the abode of the late professor in Surulere, on Wednesday 25 January 2017 which was hosted by The African Church, Arch-Cathedral Bethel Choir, of which the late icon was a great benefactor.
The day after, a Christian wake and Evening of Tributes took place at the Class Event Center, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria premises where distinguished Nigerian including Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chief Philip Asiodu and the deceased God-daughter, Ms. Funke Aboyade (SAN) eulogized the late Professor Onitiri.
First Lady of Kwara State and Founder, Leah Foundation, Her Excellency, Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed flanked by President & CEO DBN, Mr. & Mrs. Osa Sonny Adun at the Christian Wake and Evening of Tributes
The rites culminated in a funeral service at the African Church Arch Cathedral Bethel, along Broad Street, Lagos.
Though a very solemn assembly, the divine enclosure was filled to the brim, spilling into the streets as the provost of the church mounted the pulpit to give his sermon tagged, “Living the life of eternity with God” in which he eulogized the virtues of the departed guru as someone who lived an exemplary Christian life in love and humility, in spite of his grand status in the society.
He admonished the congregation of the need to have the seed of eternity and the life of God in them in order to see things the godly way and live fruitful and blessed lives.
From (L – R) CEO Brila FM, Dr. & Mrs. Larry Izamoje, President & CEO DBN, Mr. Osa Sonny Adun and son, Osazemen Adun at the Reception
Prominent personalities present at the service were former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, His Royal Highness, Oba Isotun of Ijesha, former secretary of the Commonwealth of Nations , Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Ambassador Olusola Sani and the first lady of Kwara State, Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed with several professors and other members of the academia also in attendance.
From (L – R) Mr. Tunde Onitiri , Mrs. Moni Ajayi (Niece), Mr. & Mrs. Osa Sonny Adun , Mrs. Adenike Hyde, Mr. Seye Onitiri and Mr. Folarin Onitiri at the Outing Service
After the funeral service, a long convoy escorted the remains of the late professor for interment.
While praying for the departed soul, the officiating minister poured encomium on him for his ideals, virtues and the noble values he represented, admonishing the living to show love and kindness to humanity as life was transient and only one’s deeds of love would stand at the end of life’s journey.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the burial reception held at the MUSON Center, Onikan Lagos where guests, arrayed in different attires for the event, were treated to some of the finest in cuisines and drinks while traditional dance and the Icons Music Band ensured everyone was shaking their bodies to the pulsating beats or doing merry bobs with their heads.
Son-in-law to the late scholar and President of DBN, Mr. Osa Sonny Adun, who was one of the chief coordinators of the event, said his father-in-law was an embodiment of humility and kindness, dedicated to everything he embarked on, adding that, he would be greatly missed.
Indeed, it was a befitting farewell to a great man.