Bishop Warns against Corruption as Ekiti Speaker is Buried

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The late Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, was yesterday buried in Ikere Ekiti, with Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Olusola Ajayi, warning Nigerian leaders against obscene corrupt enrichment and mind-boggling material acquisition.

The Cleric averred that if Nigerian leaders were futuristic and were circumspect of the last day, the country would be peaceful and bereft of crises of corruption, kidnapping, insurgency, vote- buying and other cankerworms that are destroying the Nigerian fabrics.

The man of God spoke yesterday in his sermon marking the church’s burial procession for Afuye held at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Oke ‘kere, Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Afuye, who presided over the Assembly for three and half years, died of a heart attack  on October 19,2022, at the age of 66.

Afuye was brought into the church in a white casket at about 9.56a.m. and was accompanied by his wife,Titilayo, children and other family members.

The motorcade conveying the corpse began the procession with a long convoy of vehicles, at his residence located along Ikere-Ise road, which caused traffic snarl along Ado-Ikere-Akure Way for over one hour.

The men of the Nigerian Police Force and Federal Road Safety Corps, had a hectic day in controlling the vehicles due to the gridlock along that route.

Addressing the congregants during the barely one and half hours sermon, Bishop Ajayi, said; “Vanity upon vanity, all is vanity. How I wish all Nigerians, especially our leaders could understand this as preached by God in the Holy Books.

“If they understand, our politicians won’t be buying votes, they won’t be embezzling what is expected to be spent for the citizens, there will be peace in Nigeria and there won’t be kidnapping, killings and insurgency.

“Today, our roads are bad. Our leaders and big men no longer use the roads, they travel in chartered flights around. Nobody is thinking about the common man. It was as bad as that.

“But let me tell you that all those things you are acquiring and accumulating, you won’t take any of them along when death comes.

“The book of Solomon preached that vanity upon vanity, all is vanity. We must take this into our memories. It is not the number of years you lived that matter, but how you lived it and who exactly you are when you are on earth.

“Hon. Funminiyi Afuye didn’t live long, but he was positively impactful. As a politician, he started from the lower cadre and rose to become a lawmaker and right Honourable Speaker.

“Ask yourself today, how are you living your life? It is better you change your ways for you to make heaven.”

His son, Olamide Afuye, described his father as very caring and lovely to his immediate family and the entire people of Ekiti, saying his good deeds will continue to linger in people’s hearts and speak loudly of his good gestures.

The young  Afuye applauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji and other Ekiti leaders as well as the  citizens, for demonstrating immense love for the family since the sudden and untimely demise of his father.

Aside Afuye’s widow, Titilayo, dignitaries at the service are; Governors Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, represented by his Deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa, former Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Science and Technology, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora.

Others include: Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Hon. Femi Bamisile, former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Tale Omole, members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, politicians, distinguished academia, among others.