Ogungbangbe Buries Auntie Amidst Celebration, Grandeur And Splendor

By ISAAC OLUSESI

The Sooko Tajudeen Lawal's two-day old citation of the "importance of unity" within the Osun State All Progressive Congress (APC), played itself out, to the advantage of unity, at the burial and outing service of Mrs Juliana Ibidun Ajewole Ifaloye (1947-2024).

And true to Sooko, the seemingly different groups in the intra electioneering politics of the party in the state, including the collectives and groupings of the SRJ Alubarika Movement, AMBO Movement; or AMBO Movement, SRJ Alubarika Movement, from across the West, East, and Central of the state, attended the funeral and, where they sat they displayed intense, passionate relationships in the party electioneering politicking and were seen engaged in critical, sensitive discussions and practically, showcased alliance, mutual backing and endorsement for each other, to achieve the common goal of the party. 

And the imaginary and real fear of divisions in the party got impaired, crippled, for unity as pontificated by Sooko, the state party chairman. All of that positivity came to light at the burial receptions for Dr Thomas Olaleye Ogungbangbe's late auntie. 

Like her husband, the late Mrs Juliana Ibidun Ifaloye was courted by numerous communities, religious groups, other associations, and had titles and adulations showered on her as a mark of distinctions. She reportedly, lived in material and emotional comfort, provided by love and care from her husband, the passed Chief Ajewole Ifaloye of Ajewole Motors, respected and famous in the automotive industry.

The departed who was at the weekend buried, dignified, at her house, the Ajewole Ifaloye House in Iloko-Ijesa as town folks and non natives, including religious leaders, traditional and honorary chiefs, relations, and friends of children and grandchildren caught glimpses of her remains and waved at the corpse. 

The previous day, the hearse carrying the casketed corpse, blared its siren through Ilesa to Iloko-Ijesa, and had the configuration of the route changed. The corpse arrived in honour and sobriety into the warm embrace of the families for Christian wake keep. And as soon as the hearse stirred to a halt, the pallbearers, lifted the casket with panache, spirited confidence and showiness, and they aesthetically, danced after the casket was placed on the floor. And women on hand, older than the departed loved one inflamed native poetry, inspirational choruses, and other lyrics. The melody raved in a sun-lit day.

The warmth and brightness of the following day, Saturday had its scourge thinned out by the panegyric, family elegy of the one who passed on, and that was after interment service. There was drumming that thrilled the guests as they took captivating dance steps attuned to the talking drums and it cut the picture of a carnival ground. The chief mourner, Ogungbangbe, highly thoughtful of issues became the cynosure of all eyes as he bust a move, gently grooved the dance, a sequence of step in expressive response to drumbeats.

A galaxy of tribute remarks, first from Alayeluwa Oba (Dr) Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe  Ajagbusi Ekun Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, who said: "Mama, you were the heart and soul of the family, a steady source of love and encouragement." 

The big uncle to the deceased's children, Prince Ogungbangbe, APC chieftain from Osun East Senatorial District stated: "Most unique is my auntie's large heart. She lived not only for herself, but also for others." She was "a constant presence in my life when I was a toddler."- Princess Kemi Oshodi (Nee Ogungbangbe); "Heaven has truly gained a warrior. A mother like no other, you were."- Babawale Ajewole Ifaloye.

"As a Senior Nurse (USA), I have taken care of many lives, but none as precious as yours."- Omowumi Elizabeth Peters; "Until we meet again, thank you for being everything to me." - Oluwagbemike; "You didn't only say always that you loved me, you showed it in every way."- Oyetunde Omoyemi; "You were more than just a step mother, you were a steady hand, a comforting voice, a second mother with a first class heart."- Olori Toyin Ajewole-Oyelude; "You were a precious gift from God, so much beauty, grace, love, and patience personified, and you touched our hearts in so many ways."-Temiloluwa Abosede Ogungbangbe Thomas. A plethora of  other tributes.

The outing service, impressive, was held at the Christ Apostolic Church Oke-Isegun Zonal Headquarters, Iloko-Ijesa. But before the bell ringer could let off the rope, pulling the clapper, the church was already filled to the rafters, spilling people to its surroundings. The service began in earnest and centered on the certainty of death and uncertainty of its appointments. "Death keeps no calendar but keeps a highly secretive regime of appointments. Salvation of the soul guarantees the assurances of heaven after death." The priest offered prayers, asking God Almighty to shield the children and families left behind from dangers and strengthen them in trouble, succour to them in temptation, defence from assaults, and asked peace to them. The children of the deceased, resplendently dressed and decked in moderate jewelry.

From the onset, the burial and outing service promised to be great. And this was further reinforced by the choice of reception venue that had its inside and outside decorated, as added glamour, and played host to a surge of dignitaries and leaders in diverse human endeavors who came in exotic cars, splendid uniform attires, for just one event. 

Guests exchanged pleasantries in an atmosphere enlivened with tantalizing meals of choice, entertaining music and dance at the em cee, stitching the guests with rib racking jokes. Everyone got wrecked, swept away by the irresistible aroma that was distinctively perceptible as a native scent, so native a gastronomic delight, the delicacy was completed with cow meat and other assorted, and guests fell over one another. It was indeed, a celebration of life as people in their thousands thronged the funeral activities to savour the celebration grandeur, splendor of the events put together. The photographers had a hectic time, trying to capture sites and sounds at the burial and outing service of Mama Juliana Ibidun Ajewole Ifaloye.

Present at the burial outing service were traditional fathers with their amiable wives, namely, Oba Dr Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe Ajagbusi Ekun, Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa; Oba Kayode Afolabi Lapomu of Apomu; Oba Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa; Oba Amos Adewumi Ogidiolu Oniwoye of Iwoye-Ijesa; Oba Michael Ajayi Babatunde Adoko of Idoko-Ijesa; Oba Aderogba Akintayede Alapeju of Ilupeju-Ijesa; and Oba Saliu Motajero Apoti of Ayegunle-Ijesa.

And politicians included APC Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal; former Speaker, OSHA Rt.Hon. Timothy Owoeye; former APC State Treasurer Baba Kunle Odeyemi; State APC Woman Leader, Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde; Chief Emiola Ogunsanya; Hon. Israel Aloba; Leaders Ade Ajibola, Aboge Felix, Deji Ajimoti, Oladiran Ashaolu, Alh. Sule Aderemi, Adeoye Bakare, and quite a number of others present after my departure.

Political groups of the party extraction, across the state also showed appearance that lasted hours at the funeral ceremonies, comprising TomPerry Group; Next Level Federal Grassroots Mobilization For President in Osun; Forum of LG Reinstated Chairmen Osun East; Forum of LG Reinstated Vice Chairmen & Councilors, Osun East; Forum of Party Chairmen, Osun East, West and Central; Senatorial Women Leaders, Osun East, West & Central; Osun Women In Politics; Forum of LG Party Chairman, Osun East, West and Central; Forum of APC Ward Chairmen, Osun East; Ife/Ijesa Women Leaders; Osun East Youth Leaders; Forum of Iyaloja, Ife/Ijesa; Team Wale Elewa for Ogungbangbe; Obesun For Ogungbangbe, and such other corporate political groups were also at the events.

 *OLUSESI writes via* isaacolusesi@gmail.com