A thick pall of mourning enveloped Ido-Ekiti, headquarters of Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State as the remains of an All Progressives Congress ( APC) chieftain, Mr. Bunmi Ojo, was buried on Friday.
Recall that Ojo, a Commissioner on the board of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), was shot dead on August 10 at a viewing centre in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, when he was watching a live football match.
The deceased also served as the Personal Assistant to the Governor during the administration of Chief Segun Oni between 2007 and 2010.
The deceased who was 51 years of age, was survived by his parents, wife and children.
There was unprecedented display of grief in Ido-Ekiti on Friday as Ojo’s kinsmen rained curses on his killers throughout the period of the burial.
Women of the town most of whom were clad in black attire poured expletives on the killer of the politician invoking the wrath of God on them eternally.
They sang dirges laden with curses, wore their clothes inside out and left their heads uncovered which was believed to be a sign of mourning and boding dire consequences for the killers of Ojo.
Security men had a hectic time controlling the restive women who continued their protest outside the church till the time the body was taken to the burial ground.
The town’s main market, shops and public offices were closed in honour of the deceased
Tears welled up in the eyes of the crowd that thronged the funeral at Methodist Church and those who couldn’t find space inside the worship centre.
Prominent personalities who attended the funeral include Governor Ayo Fayose, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Dipo Anisulowo; the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; deputy governor-elect, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi; former Governor Oni, his wife, Kemi and former deputy governor, Dr. Sikiru Lawal.
Others are: former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, former National Assembly members, Senator Ayo Arise, Senator Anthony Adeniyi and Senator Bode Ola; Ekiti APC Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe and fellow commissioners in FCC.
Delivering the sermon at the burial service, a Methodist priest, Reverend Olanrewaju Komolafe, said although Ojo lived a short life, he had positive impact of many people with the offices he was privileged to occupy.
The cleric quoted copiously from the book of Ecclesiates Chapter 3 to drive home his message.
Describing death as an inevitable occurrence, Komolafe noted that there was time for everything in life. He said the late politician had fulfilled the purpose for his existence.
Death, according to him, had no regard for anyone or social status, and could come in any form irrespective of status in the society.
He admonished families, relatives and associates who witnessed the funeral to live a life worthy of emulation just like the late Ojo.
