Encomium
-Sunny Ade, Musiliu Haruna Ishola to entertain
The family of late Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola, former governor of Lagos State, who died on Monday, May 5, 2014 and Lagos State government are not leaving any stone unturned to give him a burial befitting a great leader and astute statesman that he was.
Aside the fact that the state government has been responsible for the entertainment of guests and sympathizers that have been flooding his Odoragusin residence, Epe, Lagos, for a whole week after his demise, the state is planning a special tribute for him.
The special tribute tagged Day of Tributes will hold on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at Onikan Stadium, Onikan, Lagos. The event will start by 10am.
The tributes will, no doubt attract dignitaries from all walks of life including former governors of the state and eminent personalities across the country.
On Thursday, May 29, 2014, Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola’s remains will be taken round his place of birth, Odoragusin, Epe, Lagos, with music and dancing before a lying state at his compound in the town.
On the same Thursday, May 29, 2014, a Christian wake keep would be held in his honour at the same venue. This will start around 4pm.
On Friday, May 30, 2014, there will be a funeral mass/rites at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ibowon. The service will commence at 11am.
After the service, his remains would be committed to mother earth at the Catholic Church at Odoragusin. This would be followed by reception at St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Ereda, Epe, Lagos.
On the bandstand will be King Sunny Ade and Musiliu Haruna Ishola.
Sir Michael Otedola, was born on July 16, 1926, into a Muslim family at Odoragunsin, Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
He studied Journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic, London and graduated in 1958. He worked at Pancras Chronicle, London as a reporter and later as a sub-editor at The Guardian and The Times of London, England.
He returned to Nigeria in 1959 and became an Information Officer in the Western Nigeria Government and later appointed the editor of the Western Nigeria Illustrated.
In 1961, he moved into public relations. Working for Western Nigeria Television Broadcasting Service (1967-1969) and Mobil Oil Group of Companies (1964-1977). He later became a consultant to Mobil after leaving the company.
He became the governor of Lagos State in 1992, when he was elected on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC). He left office in 1993, after the late Sanni Abacha coup of November 1993.
Amongst his children are, Ms. Mosunmola Otedola, an assistant pastor at Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mr. Michael Ayokunle Otedola and Mr. Femi Otedola, the billionaire owner of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited and Forte Oil.
-TOLANI ABATTI
