Encomium
– legions honour her at Service of Songs in Ikeja, Lagos
At the service of songs in honour of Iyalode Adunni Bankole (55) on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at Anchor Events Place, Lateef Jakande, Agidingbi, Ikeja (Lagos), her second child and daughter (Mopelola) who got married on Saturday, January 3, 2015, revealed that her death was kept secret all through the ceremony uniting her and Sharafadeen Oluwafemi Jatto in marriage.
Modeplola was paying tributes to her socialite and businesswoman mother at the event attended by Chief Alani Bankole (the deceased’s husband), her siblings, children and many family members as well as hundreds of her friends.
In the tribute by Mopelola, dressed in white lace like her siblings (Oluwatoyin, Modesola and Owolabi Jnr), she painted a moving picture of her altruistic mother who touched legions of lives.
She stated that her mother, even on her sick bed, had always worried about the big day, and she always thought she would be there. But when her sickness became worrisome, Iyalode gave her blessings for the wedding (at The Events Centre, Agidingbi) to go ahead without her.
But on her wedding day, she was kept in the dark about her demise – and in the evening when she and her husband wanted to go and visit Iyalode, many family members came – and she immediately knew that something was amiss.
Mopelola, who fought tears, like her sister, Modesola who also sang in honour of their mom, said she has accepted God’s ways in all things. That she now knows the meaning of Inna lillahi na inallah e raji’oon ( Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return) .
Mopelola Jatto said in her eulogy :
“I know my mom has gone to rest in a better lace. She lived a good life. To everybody she was Iyalode Adunni Bankole, but to us, she was mummy.
“She pulled everybody close.
“She used to call me sweet names, like mumsy sweety darling.
“She was a strong woman that would stand hr ground on anything. She had so much energy. She was full of life, nobody really knew what was going on because for her it was important that everything was in place.”
Apart from Mopelola and Modesola’s tributes, Iyalode Bankole’s brother, Niyi Adebowale, also spoke about why we must accept the inevitability of death.
Some of her church members, from Triumphant Christian Centre (Lagos), also eulogised the adorable dame.
The service of songs which kicked off at 5pm lasted a few hours, and continued with a praise night.
The funeral service holds tomorrow (Wednesday, January 14, 2014) at Anchor Events Place at 10am, and interment follows in Yaba, Lagos State.
Iyalode Adetayo Adunni Bankole died from heart related sickness in he early hours of Saturday, January 3, 2015. She was reportedly ill for some time, falling into coma, until her death.
