TEJUMADE Alakija’s death THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, has described the passing on of Princess Tejumade Alakija as the loss of a leading light to Ile-Ife, Yorubaland and the entire Nigeria. In a condolence message made available to Sunday Tribune by the spokesman to the traditional ruler, Chief Funmilola Olorunnisola, on Saturday, Oba Sijuwade noted that everything about the departed technocrat was legendary. “Her birth; her entire life existence was legendary. She was a very reliable guide and confidant. She was a traditional mother of no mean magnitude to all the distinguished royal families in Ife kingdom. “Sister, as I fondly called her, remains, in life and death, a pride to the entire Yoruba dynasty, most especially the house of Oduduwa, our progenitor and founder of the source, the cradle and the natural capital of the Yoruba people. “She lived well and she served humanity well; and the people of Ife believe that she shall, certainly, find favour with God Almighty,” the monarch said. ‘We would have launched book on S/West civil servants in her honour’ DECEASED first daughter of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, Princess Tejumade Alakija, might have lived a fulfilled life and died at a ripe age, she, nonetheless, would have wished to achieve certain feats before she bids the world farewell. One of such goals, according to Sunday Tribune findings, was to witness the launching of a first-of-its-kind book that would be a compendium of life and times of eminent Nigerians that have served as head of service and permanent secretaries in the entire Western region. The book, it was learnt, has a whole chapter dedicated to the former head of service in the old Oyo State, the first female to have occupied the position. According to the former Secretary to the Military Government and Head of Service in Oyo State, Chief Theophilus Akinyele, in a condolence message written at the Oluwo-Kekere, Basorun, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital home of the deceased, the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries of Oyo And Osun States, sponsors of the book, is disappointed that princess Alakija died before the book would witness launching. “She was a dependable member of the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries of Oyo And Osun States of which I was chairman. We will miss her gentle and motherly dispositions. We were looking forward to her joining us at the launching of the book the association is sponsoring to mark our appreciation of the monumental achievements of the founding leaders of the Western Nigeria Civil Service. “She has a chapter in the book. But who are we to question our maker? May her kind and motherly soul rest in perfect peace,” Chief Akinyele said. Others who paid tribute to the late Princess Alakija on Saturday were the Cathedral of Saint James’, Oke-Bola, Ibadan, retired permanent secretaries, judges and community leaders. Representative of the Cathedral of Saint James’, Reverend Ikudaisi, said “we, the Cathedral of Saint James’ The Great, love you, but God loves you most. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.” A former permanent secretary, who served in the Governor’s Office, Ministries of Local Government, Sports and Culture, among others, and retires in Osun State, Chief Olapoju Taiwo, noted that Princess Alakija’s footprints would remain indelible in the history of public service in the country. “This marks the glorious end of an icon. Mama’s footprints will remain indelible in the history of public service in Nigeria and, indeed, Africa. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” he said. Also, Justice (Mrs) Tokunbo Olopade of the state High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State, described the late Princess Alakija as a perfect example to many Nigerians. “We thank the Almighty God for a life well lived. Mama was a wonderful person; a mother to many of us; an example for so many. We pray God to grant her soul eternal peace in His bosom,” she prayed. Obada condoles with Ooni, Osun over Alakija’s death THE Minister of State for Defence, Chief Olusola Obada, has condoled with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade; the family of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi; the people of Ile-Ife and Osun State over the death of the first daughter of the late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi, Princess Tejumade Alakija. Princess Alakija, a foremost bureaucrat and a former Head of Service in the old Oyo State died on Friday, aged 88. In a condolence message issued by her Special Assistant, Media, Femi Adefila, Obada described the late Alakija as a wonderful woman, who achieved so much in life by dint of hardwork and selfless service, adding that the late Princess would remain a role model for women, even in death. “Though the late princess Alakija was born into a great royal family, her lofty position did not prevent her from travelling round the world to acquire knowledge and prepare herself for service to her people. She was a disciplined woman and the youth have a lot to learn from her exemplary life. “We are comforted by the fact that the late Princess was able to mould great minds and leaders, who have contributed immensely to the development of the country and mankind, before her departure. Her contributions to the development of education in Nigeria is also remarkable and indelible,” the minister stated. Erelu Obada, therefore, prayed that God grant the late Alakija’s family, the people of Ile-Ife and Osun State in general the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Ajimobi commiserates with Ife royal family THE governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has commiserated with the royal family of Ile-Ife and the entire civil service in Nigeria on the demise of Princess Tejumade Alakija. He made this known in a release issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo. According to him, Nigeria had lost an icon and a matriarch who was one of those who moulded the Nigerian civil service, especially the Oyo State civil service, to the height it occupied. Alakija was the first female Head of Service in the Old Oyo State and daughter of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi. Governor Ajimobi said that the state which Mrs. Alakija served and its entire civil service would miss the woman whom he described as the matriarch of the civil service in Oyo State. The governor urged the royal family of Ile-Ife not to lament the death of their matriarch but be comforted by the indelible imprints she left on the sand of time. Governor Ajimobi prayed for the repose of the soul of the civil service matriarch and prayed that God will grant the repose of her soul. Madam Alakija’s death, a huge loss to the nation —Aregbesola THE Governor of Osun, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has described the death of the veteran administrator and former Head of Service of Old Oyo State, Princess Tejumade Alakija, as a huge loss to the South-West and the nation at large. Aregbesola said Alakija’s death signals the end of several decades of service to fatherland and mankind. In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola affirmed that the octogenarian, who was the first female Head of Service in the old Oyo State will be missed for her administrative and scholarly experience. The governor said Alakija, a prominent educationist and a princess who served as Head of Service of the Old Oyo State in the second republic will be missed in the public service. Aregbesola said, “Mama had done her part for the country, mama as the Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industries in the Region between 1962 and 64 did her best before she was later appointed Secretary of Committee on Development of Training in the Western Region Civil Service; and also Committee on Technical Education in Western Nigeria. “The contribution of mama to the growth of public service, education and industry can’t go unnoticed. That was why we honoured her while she was still alive at the 9th Osun Award for distinguished sons and daughters of the state” the governor stressed. Aregbesola held that the death of the first female Head of Service in the Old Oyo state brings to mind the transient nature of man’s sojourn on earth. According to the governor, “Her death however affects us all for she has impacted on us the culture to serve humanity through diligence. “On behalf of myself, government and the people of Osun, I condole with the immediate family, most especially the Aderemi Royal family of Ile-Ife and the extended families of the deceased . May God grant Mama eternal rest,” Aregbesola said.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 08:38:45 +0000
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