Again, losing a father and confidant can be emotionally traumatizing. That I am, therefore, heartbroken as a result of the passage of my father, Pa Sunday Alaba Komolafe, is to say the least.
To this end, let me seize this opportunity to express sincere gratitude to those, who, through personal calls and condolence messages, showed me solidarity and empathized with me during the trying period. In this list include: Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor of Osun State, and Professor Adebayo Williams. Also among them are ‘Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Tola Adeniyi; Babafemi Ojudu; and Victor Ifijeh, Managing Director, Vintage Press Limited.
However, the most pleasant gesture came from my state governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, who was physically present, more or less, by representation, using Charles ‘Diji Akinola, his quick-witted Chief of Staff. The governor, who, majority of the good people of Osun believe is on the right path in governance, even with less or low noise, yet outstanding achievements, found time to send comforts to my family. Mr. Governor, I’m grateful sir. With your current silent revolution of repositioning the state, Nigerians are quite optimistic that, by the end of your first four-year, and second tenure, Osun would have soared beyond the Next Level, looking forward to our El Dorado!
Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, who is also from my base, also supported me. Bunmi Obeisun, Chairman, Oriade Local Government, Ijebu-Jesa, was physically present to make sure that the burial passage was a success story.
My thanks also go to His Royal Majesty, Oba Moses Agunsoye, the _Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa_ and the paramount ruler of Egboroland. The foremost traditional ruler led some other traditional rulers to the occasion. _Kabiyesi, k’ade pe lori! Ki bata pe lese! Igba odun, odun kan!_
The Rt. Reverend Isaac Oluyamo (Bishop, Ijesa North Anglican Diocese); the clergy and the laity of Ijesa North and Osun Anglican Dioceses; and, of course, Olukayode Akinyemi, the retired Archbishop of Kwara Anglican Archdiocese), you have my deepest thanks.
Gboyega Famodun, Osun APC Chairman; Ajibola Famurewa, Executive Chairman, Osun SUBEB; Remi Omowaye, Commissioner for Works, Osun State; Jamiu Olawumi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education; Olawale Oshun, Oluwatomilayo Aloba, IJGS (’85 Set); and others too numerous to mention, you all made my day.
May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, repose the soul of my departed father!
*abiodun KOMOLAFE*