Osoba, Smith, Akala, Solomon, Others Honour Obanikoro at Mother’s Burial

Olawale Olaleye

Eminent Nigerianssaturday honoured a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who buried his mother, Alhaja Wosilat Ejide Obanikoro, at the Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos, having passed on earlier in the day at the age of 95. She was buried immediately according to Islamic injunctions.

Alhaja Obanikoro had been sick for a while and his son had envisaged the worst when he refused to attend the graduation of his last daughter, Olamiju, at the Darlington School, Rome, Georgia, in the United States sometime in May, because he would not like to see anything happen in his absence. But she eventually gave up the battle for life early saturday.

Those who turned up at the burial included a former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith; former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala; Senators Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon and Gbenga Ashafa, and a former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Ademola Seriki.

Others were a former governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje; National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire, and a PDP stalwart in Lagos State, Senator Tony Adefuye.

Also in attendance were a former and aspiring governorship candidate in Ogun State, Mr. Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka; Commissioner for Housing in Lagos State, Gbolahan Lawal; Mr. Kamal Olorunoje, Mr. Femi Carena, Mr. Kayode Bawa-Allah, Mr. Mutiu Aare and the Lagos White Cap Chiefs amongst friends and family members, who graced the burial.

It is not likely yet that the final burial would be fixed for next week as the family has yet to meet and decide, but the 8th day Fidau Prayer would be held in sync with tradition next weekend, a family source told THISDAY.

Obanikoro, who wore a rather light mood said though he was sad that he eventually lost his mother to the cold hands of death; although he took solace in the fact that she died during Ramadan, a period most Muslims desire to die.

The former Lagos governorship hopeful was however joined by his wife, Alhaja Moroophat and second son, Omogbolahan, both of whom just flew into the country, even when they had no clue their mother-in-law and grandmother was going to breathe her last.