The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in company of other top dignitaries, on Tuesday, attended the funeral mass conducted for late Barrister Angela Folarin, wife of Senator Teslim Folarin, representing Oyo Central Senatorial District.
The funeral mass which was held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ilupeju, in Ibadan also had in attendance the Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
The service was presided over by the Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese of the church, Most Rev’d Gabriel Abegunrin.
In the homily delivered by the Dean, North Deanery of the Catholic Church, Diocese of Ibadan, Very Rev’d Father Felix Ethapeme, the deceased was described as a God-fearing woman, saying: ”She contributed immensely to the advancement of the church and the society during her lifetime.”
He charged the congregation to be God-fearing, live to serve God, and be exemplary in life towards achieving a better society and at the same time, glorify God. He added that in achieving a better society, parents also have a significant role to play by raising their children to know God’s love, know God and serve the only.
His words: “If we do this we will have our two eyes closed and live in a better society. Let us stand up to our responsibilities as good parents and train our children very well so that we can have a society that is devoid of rancour and trouble. We all have a role to play in making Nigeria a better place.”
After the service, Angela Folarin, a lawyer and Yeye Ayingun Olubadan, was given a private burial in Ibadan at a cemetery.
In his tribute, Senator Folarin, representing Oyo Central in the National Assembly, said: “I am still in a state of shock and disbelief. But who am I to question Allah, who knows all and owns all? I wish this was just one of your many pranks, wishing you would suddenly call me to say it was all a joke.
“Angie, having you in my life, was my dream come true, all I ever desired. Words cannot describe the emptiness I have felt since you left me and our boys alone in this sinful word. But I take comfort in the belief that we shall again reunite in aljana. I miss a million things in you: Your mind, body, advice, encouragement, calls, your meals! I miss everything about you. I forever will.
“We had dreams we prayed to achieve together. I promise not to let go of those dreams. I shall achieve them for you and our boys. They say only the good die in their prime. You were certainly the best of the good. Good night my darling wife, most loyal friend, co-strategist, pillar of support and caring mother.”
Barrister Angela Nwaka Folarin died last month and was buried in Ibadan on Tuesday, shortly after the funeral mass.
Other Principal officers of the Senate who attended the funeral include the Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice; Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; Senate Spokesman, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru; Senator Ayo Akinyelure, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District; and Senator Yakubu Oseni, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The service was also attended by Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan; two former deputy governors of the state, Iyiola Oladokun and Moses Adeyemo; and the current Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun; as well as Head of Service in the state, Alhaja Ololade Agboola.
Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof Abiodun Otegbayo; the 2019 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Bayo Adelabu; a chieftain of APC in the state, Joseph Tegbe, were also among the dignitaries that graced the funeral service.