Celebration of a life well spent, as Lere Olayinka gives Mom befitting national burial at Okemesi-Ekiti

The loss of every caring and loving mother is especially poignant when it happens while the children are still very much ready and determined to give her (the mother) the very best of life in terms of care, support, love and even age-matching fruits of her labour.

Apparently, it is never easy announcing the demise and burial of a caring mother, but this is the first step in honouring the soul of a departed mother whose memory cannot be forgotten in a jiffy but lingers.

It was another epoch-making event on Friday as the final burial of the mother of a Media Exponent, Tycoon, Expert and Lead Vocal recorded the presence of prominent Nigerians, the who is who, the Nigerian Bigwigs, the movers and the shakers of Nigeria: State Governors, Ministers, Senators, House of Representative Members, State Assembly Members, Commissioners, Chairmen, other Political Appointees and enormous Gentlemen of the Press from several Media Outfits across the federation.

The burial, undoubtedly brought together the like minds and those who hold strong beliefs in the media expertise, doggedness, meticulousness and loyalty along leadership style of Lere Olayinka, as a distinguished "deity" in the media forest.

The arrival of the Ijaw Youth Forum, Arewa Youth Vanguard and several other sociopolitical groups from different parts of the country on Thursday night at Okemesi-Ekiti in honouring Lere Olayinka, had evidently proved that truly it is the fragrance of a flower that spreads only in the direction of the wind, but the goodness of a person like the eponymous hero herein mentioned (Lere) spreads in all directions.

People from all walks of life who witnessed the occasion and probably followed the "Chief Host" to the grave side will agree with me that Lere Olayinka gave it all to his mother to live on but death took preeminence over efforts as it pleases the Giver of life.

However, Lere Olayinka received blessings from both young and the aged ones for the kind of support and care he showed his mother while on earth. Little did I wonder why the Media Guru was comfortable, satisfied and emotionally stabled within himself that he had done the needful and the expected of a Child to the Parent.

Mama Rachael, according to graveside revelations and unconscious pronouncements made by the bereaved, lived a life worthy of emulation and celebration. She was applauded to be a mother indeed and in nature. A mother who sees the need to give her children the desired and befitting future to in return enjoy the same befitting national burial like she now enjoyed.

It is true that Mama died while the likes of Lere Olayinka, his siblings and their elder sister could still provide her with the earthly material necessities along good health care, but when God says it is over, no one can suggest otherwise to upturn the Majestic decision of the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end and the omnipotent.

Okemesi-Ekiti, the land of the warriors and from where the heroes were born, shall continue to remember the heavy traffic, influx of celebrities, prominent politicians and business tycoons who crowded the community in honouring her son, Lere Olayinka, who had accorded his mother a national burial, probably first of its kind in the history of the historical ancient town.

Truly, we have wined and dined with the sage who buried his mother in a ground style, but we should also have it at the back of our minds that our children will not give us what they don't have. Hence, let's endeavour giving them the sound education and support which can make them standout amidst peers like Lere Olayinka, the distinguished "deity: irumole, winrin-winrin" in the media forest.

Special thanks to all those who joined Lere Olayinka in burying his mother. We thank you all for your supports both in cash and in kind. We laud your courage and willingness to travel that far from core Northern States and Eastern States down to Southwest here in Ekiti, where the national leader of the opposition in Nigeria politics resides. It was indeed an honour we jointly and collectively appreciated as a state.

More blessings and longevity in good health to reap the fruits of our labour, Amen.

Lere Olayinka remains the Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, coupled as the Acting Director General, Broadcasting Services of Ekiti State (BSES), Ado-Ekiti.

Written by,
Adekunle Ajimugege (Exponent),
Igede-Ekiti,
29th April, 2017.