Adefaye, Ogwezzy, Yusuf Others Pay Tribute To Eunice Akinfeleye

GENERAL Manager/ Editorin- Chief, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, member Editorial Board, The Guardian Newspapers and former Head Of Department, Mass Communication University of Lagos, Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy- Ndisika, erudite communication scholar , Chief Fassy Y usuf, were among notable personalities that paid tribute to the Jisanbokun of Idanre Kingdom Ondo State, late Chief Mrs. Eunice Olajide Akinfeleye.

Chief Akinfeleye is the mother of Prof. of Mass Communication, University of Lagos and African representative, World Journalism Education Congress ( WJEC), Ralph Akinfeleye.

Born at Oke Idanre, Ondo State in 1923 to the family of Late High Chief Samuel and Chief Mrs. Kedi Bola Akingbesote, she died in 2021. But serv

ice of songs was held last week, at St Paul Anglican Church, Odode Idanre, Ondo State with music by popular juju maestro, King Sunny Ade.

According to Ogwezzy, “she lived well and she was a devout Christian. She was very successful. You saw the array and quality of her children. She was a disciplinarian and the children turned out well. She lived a good life. It was more of celebration of life.”

Similarly, Chief Yusuf said she was an epitome of womanhood, protective and knowledgeable about African affairs especially in traditional matters. She was a highly successful businesswoman.

According to Prof. Akinfeleye, “I came to your room and met you sleeping, I quickly went to change my clothes. I came back quickly to your room again. This time, you were being fed by your house help. I held your hands. Your eyes were closed. As soon as you heard my voice, and felt my hand on yours, you opened your eyes, smiled and breathed deeply. “Omolere” was inscribed on the arm I held. I was still narrating to you the huge success of the wedding and that the Most Revd. Archbishop Humphrey Bamishe Olumakaye, the Archbishop of Lagos province conducted at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Idanre. You listened to all these before you just left suddenly!”

He added that she taught everyone how to be prayerful, hardworking, humble, tolerant, selfless, generous, courageous and forgiving. “We will miss you greatly. My mother of inestimable value, a wonderful grandmother, and an exciting great grandmother.”

She was also described as a woman with “native intelligence, which could earn her the title of a “Professor of Native Intelligence and family studies of Akinfeleye/ Akingbesote University of Hope.”