6th November, 2021
By Olayinka Owolewa/Yinusa Ishola
It was wailing and crying in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara on Saturday, as the body of the late Eesa of Omu-Aran, Chief Jide Adebayo, was brought into the town for internment.
NAN reports that residents of the town, family members and friends of the late community leader could not hold back tears, as the coffin containing his remains was brought out of the ambulance at his Eesa Iyaniwura Palace, Afin Road, Omu-Aran.
Adebayo was former Executive Director (Marketing) and Acting Managing Director of NAN.
The sympathisers, mostly women, had besieged the palace as early as 8.00 am. to pay their last respect to the late Adebayo.
The ambulance that carried the corpse of the former acting Managing Director of NAN from Lagos arrived at the palace at exactly 1.30 pm, with traditional chiefs on hand to pay their last respect.
The Onigemo of Omu-Aran, Chief Solomon Ajiboye, inspected the coffin to confirm that it was the late Adebayo’s body and then informed other chiefs that they could go ahead with the traditional burial rights.
The Enisin of Omu-Aran, Chief Adebisi Ogundeyi, performed the rights, holding a cutlass, moved back thrice and jumped toward the casket bearing Adebayo’s remains.
Ogundeyi, however, offered prayers for the repose of the late Adebayo’s soul, as well prayed for the family members he left behind and the entire Omu-Aran Community.