Family, friends bid Femi Adesina’s sister, Prof. Ogunleye, farewell

Academics, clerics, journalists, friends and members of the Adesina and Ogunleye families bade a painful farewell to Prof. Foluke Ogunleye in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday.

Ogunleye was a sister to Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser (Media) to President Muhammadu Buhari. She died in a motor accident on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on December 26, last year. She was 53 years old.

Until her death, Prof. Ogunleye taught Dramatic Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University (AOU), Ile-Ife.

At the funeral service held at the Deeper Life Bible Church, New Ife Road, Ibadan, yesterday, fellow lecturers from OAU, Ile-Ife, the University of Ibadan; journalists from the print and electronic media as well as friends, close associates, well wishers and family members wore mournful looks as they paid the deceased last respect.

Delivering a short sermon during the two-hour service, Pastor (Prof.) Chris Agulana, said there was hope for anyone that dies in Christ.

Taking his Bible text from Job 1414, Agulana explained that the question of death and what happens thereafter is ancient, adding that it has been asked from one generation to another and across cultures of the world.

But he pointed out that biblical Job, who asked the same question, expressed hope that he would change to see God at his appointed time. According to him, those who die in Jesus Christ have hope of reigning with Him again in eternity.

The cleric lauded Prof. Ogunleye’s good works, emphasizing that in spite of her academic excellence and cerebral ability, she lived as a devout Christian. Agulana said the deceased lived a balanced life by excelling in both secular religious activities. “She was a great woman. She was devout, an earnest believer in Jesus.” He said.

For family members and loved ones, the cleric urged them not to behave like those who do not have hope, because, 1 Thessalonian 4: 13-19 teaches that those who die in Christ have hope of reigning with the Lord in eternity.

Her remains were later taken to St James’ Cathedral Cemetery, Ijokodo, Ibadan for burial.

At the service were several academics including Prof. Tam David-West; Prof. Moses Makinde; the General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Felix Meduoye; Prof. Demola Fabayo; Rev. Sunday Ojuola; Dr Sunday Lawal; Deacon and Mrs O. Idowu; Evangelist Sola Akinwale; Pastor and Mrs Ezebude and Pastor and Mrs Segun Babatope.

Others are the Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba James Adegoke, who sent a delegation; his Ilesa counterpart, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, who also sent a delegation and the Vice Chancellor, OAU, Prof. Tale Omole, who was represented by Prof. A. Fatusi.

Top media professionals at the service include Editor, The Nation newspaper, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Edward Dickson;  Managing Director, The Sun newspapers (Ghana), Mr Sola Oshunkeye; National President, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Waheed Odusile and Chairman, Lagos State Council of NUJ, Mr Deji Elumoye.

Others are Editor, weekend titles of Nigerian Tribune, Lasisi Olagunju, former Special Adviser (Media) to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Dr Festus Adedayo and Editor-In-Chief, Parrot Magazine, Mr Yinka Agboola. 

NATION