Encomium
– Fixes burial for January 14, 2015
+ Her Ikorodu, Lagos country home remains shut
ON Saturday, January 3, 2015, when the news of late Chief (Mrs.) Adetayo Adunni Bankole, the Iyalode of Gbagura land in Abeokuta, Ogun State filtered into town, many, especially her associates, found it difficult to believe that the philanthropic and high society woman had passed on.
Social media was inundated with her pictures with lots of condolence messages pouring from all quarters.
However, the shocking aspect of the whole tragic drama was that she breathed her last on the day of her daughter, Mopelola’s wedding. This drew sympathy from high society clan as many captioned the incident as one of the most unfortunate in recent times.
Iyalode Adunni Bankole, who also practiced as a journalist and was fondly addressed as mother of the press, will also be missed immensely by the people of the fourth estate of the realm.
When ENCOMIUM Weekly visited her Ikorodu country home on Friday, January 9, 2015, it was locked and deserted.
However, one of the neighbours who simply identified herself as Iya Alia said the place had been under lock for about a month and half before the death of Iyalode Adunni Bankole, who, according to her, will be fondly remembered by all and sundry in the community.
“This house was locked more than a month ago. Nobody knows what actually happened, we thought she travelled as usual. And we hoped that when she returned, she would meet this community even better than she left it because a lot of people have developed their structures, not knowing she was ill. Only to wake up on Saturday, January 3, 2015, and we were told that she was dead. It was a rude shock to all of us in the community because Mama was very kind and generous and nobody had knowledge of her ailment before she passed on. She was a role model in the community, and we all loved her. Her exit was painful and we pray we see someone that will fill the vacuum because she brought a lot of development to this Jajoland.”
Others who also spoke in similar vein, eulogized the late top socialite and philanthropist.
ENCOMIUM Weekly also visited the Oregun, Lagos home of her husband, High Chief Alani Bankole. The atmosphere was pensive as the family was still in deep mourning. Visitors were seen coming in trickles to condole with the family. However, ENCOMIUM Weekly’s attempt to speak with Iyalode’s first child, Oluwatoyin, was not successful as she was still very devastated. An inside source told us the late Iyalode of Gbaguraland might have died of heart-related ailment. And her body has been deposited at a private mortuary in Ikeja, Lagos.
HER BURIAL PLAN
The family of late Chief (Mrs.) Adetayo Adunni Bankole, the Iyalode of Gbaguraland in Abeokuta; Yeye Mokun of Owu Kingdom; Erelu Atayese of Igbein in Abeokuta, Ogun State, among others, has released her burial plans.
According to the release from the family, the 55 year-old multiple chieftaincy title holder’s burial rites will kick off on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, with Christian Wake-keep and Praise Night, at Anchor Events Center, Agidingbi, Lagos by 5 p.m.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2015, the funeral service will take place at the same venue at 10 a.m. Internment follows immediately. Muslim prayers will be held in her honour on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at her husband’s home in Oregun, Lgaos. However, the information about her final resting place is still sketchy. But a family source told ENCOMIUM Weekly that she is likely to be buried in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Iyalode Adunni Bankole, who would have been 56 on March 29, 2015, is survived by her husband, Egba High Chief, Alani Bankole, her 77 year-old mother, her siblings, children – Oluwatoyin, Mopelola, Owolabi Jnr., Modesola and grandson, Oluwadarasimi.
– TADE ASIFAT and MICHAEL NWOKIKE, Pix – DAPO ADESEKO
