Empower women in national interest, Cleric tells leaders at Awo’s daughter’s burial

• Osinbajo, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Fayemi, Others Pay Last Respect
•‘Oyediran Took After Her Parents In Service To Humanity’

Eminent Nigerians, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, former interim national chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu and other dignitaries yesterday paid last respect to the Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, a daughter of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Her burial service, which held at All Saint’s Church, Jericho, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also attracted captains of industry, academicians, and other eminent personalities from all walks of life.

The personalities also included her sister, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the APC chairman in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Prince Adetokunbo Sijuwade, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, Alhaja Bose Adedibu, Architect Muyiwa Ige, Reverend (Dr) S. Fape of Lagos and Remo Diocese and a host of others.

While delivering his sermon, the retired Archbishop of Methodist Church, Nigeria, and Most Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu said the late Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran took after her parents, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Mama H.I.D Awolowo in her service to humanity, kindness, and integrity.

Ladigbolu emphasised that the virtues of the Awolowo family really rubbed off on her, as she showed exceptional traits through the impactful life she lived.

In a message, titled: “Celebrating Saintly Womanhood as a tool for Nation Building,” the revered cleric described the deceased as a pious and righteous woman who symbolised a tool for nation-building.

While quoting from the second book of Timothy, chapter 1, verse 5, Ladigbolu said: “We are celebrating a woman from great parentage. While celebrating Oyediran, we cannot forget the influence and massive impacts of her parents on the citizenry. Whatever attributes God had endowed Oyediran with, she got them from her parents.

“You have to ask yourself what kind of parent you are to your children. What examples are you setting for them? What are you teaching or depositing in your children? What will your children say about you? While we are talking about the life and times of Oyediran, I am seeking to tell Nigerians to rise up and redeem this country as Reverend Oyediran had sought to do.

“I am aware that there was a time we were ruling this country with power over women. We are now in an era of power with women. That concept is the most proactive way of maximizing womanhood for the benefit of our motherland. Womanhood is the origin and source of births, multiplicity, and growth. Women in Nigeria are naturally durable, dynamic, resourceful, and industrious.”

Recalling the exploits of great Nigerian women, such as the late Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Madam Tinubu, Efunsetan Aniwura, and Moremi Ajasoro, among others, the clergyman said: “Today we are celebrating a woman of virtue and valour, who gave much love and support from her home base to Nigerians.

“My sermon today emphasises the significance of women in redeeming Nigeria from its myriad of problems and placing it on a solid Rock. The women are in charge of us men, even when we try to suppress and oppress them. Omotola Oyediran was born great and lived great and she is being buried gloriously.”