Behold, Gov Daniel’s mum’s final resting place

By Oluwatoyin Malik
Late Madam Esther Olaitan Daniel

ANYONE visiting Omu-Ijebu in Ogun State at this time will surely be conscious of the different air pervading the town. To the residents of the town however, such air is not strange; they are even involved in the preparations that have created the air.

Starting from today, the burial rites for the departed soul of a sweet mother, Madam Esther Olaitan Daniel, the mother of the Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel begins.

As one passes through Ala to Igbile, adjoining towns to Omu, one could see the almost fresh layers of asphalt used in rehabilitating the failed portions of the road which definitely is aimed at making the journey to Omu smooth for guests and well wishers expected at the burial ceremony for Mrs. Daniel.

Also the road that leads to the country home of Papa and late Mama Daniel has been graded and tarred while renovation work was at its peak at the time of Nigerian Tribune’s visit on Monday.

Getting to know the house was not difficult. Governor Daniel has brought fame and attention to the ‘little town of Omu,’ known for mat weaving. A resident willingly took the Nigerian Tribune to the house. Activities were in to gear as finishing touches were being put on the paint work being done on the structures.

If only the dead could see what happens among the people in the world after their souls have departed, then Madam Daniel must be rejoicing for having been born in that town and for having a child like the Ogun State governor whose friends and associates have determined to do great honour to her memory by assisting him in giving her a befitting burial.

Having been born into the royal family on both father and mother’s sides, the final resting home of Mrs. Daniel is indeed royal in outlook. The all-concrete masoleum, construction of which was said to have commenced 15 days ago (as at Monday 5 May), is a masterpiece beautifully designed. It contains two chambers, in one of which Madam Daniel’s remains would lay in rest. According to the engineer in charge of the construction but who craved anonymity, the work would have been completed yesterday (Tuesday). Indeed, the electrification of the compound housing the masoleum had been done while the workers were busy on the yet-to-be completed aspects. The slabs to be placed on the chamber were made in marble while lush grass had been planted on the ground surrounding the masoleum.

Not left out of the renovation work was the church founded by Governor Daniel’s father, Reverend Abraham Daniel. The church named “The Resurrection and Life Church Fellowship” housed within the senior Daniel’s compound wore a new look. Also the ancestral family houses of Mama Daniel, situated at Ago 1 area of the town had been painted while the family members were also in preparation towards the burial ceremony in honour of their beloved daughter.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on the character of late Mrs. Daniel, a family member, who is also the Oluwo of Omu, Chief Wahab Agboola described her as very gentle, even when they were all growing. Chief Agboola who is from Mrs. Daniel’s father side eulogised her virtues. According to him, “my sister was the third child, she had two sisters before her, and both are still alive, a younger brother who died about five years ago. Even when we were young, she was not known to be beating her younger ones, she was very easy-going. And as she went to marry into the Daniel’s family, she continued to portray our family name in good light. She was also a good Christian and the Iya Ijo of her husband’s church.

The masoleum built to house Mrs. Esther Daniel’s
remains. Photos: Oluwatoyin MalikThe Oluwo’s wife, Mrs. Comfort Agboola chipped in: “Mama was very good to all of us who married into her family. She was a very cheerful woman. Anytime she came and we asked for food allowance as wives are wont to do in Yorubaland, she always gave cheerfully. I can say that her type is rare and I pray that God will give me the kind of good character she exuded while alive. Whenever there was any problem, she would try to settle it, quoting copiously from the Bible to admonish those involved in the quarrel.”

Chief Oluwo added that the family would be looking forward to receiving her remains in the family house where Gbedu drums would be sounded because of her royal blood. A resident of the house adjacent to that of the senior Daniels, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adebajo, also spoke glowingly of late Mrs. Daniel. According to her, “Mama was my mother. She was a devout Christian who also gave good counsel. She also drew family members close, not despising or casting away anyone. Since she died, we have been missing her and felt her absence.”

In the same vein, Mrs. Julianah Adeyemi who lived two houses away described Mama Daniel as “my mother-in-law. She was a good mother. When she couldn’t do much again because of old age, I started attending to her needs in terms of cooking and washing as might be necessary. I was not at home when she fell sick this last time but immediately I came back and was told, I rushed to the hospital and stayed with her overnight holding her hand through which she was receiving drips before she was taken to a hospital in Lagos. I will surely miss her.”

Mrs. Daniel, as it was aforementioned was Iya Ijo of the church her husband founded and she attended till her death. Her personality and activities in the church was attested to by the minister in charge, Revd. Mathew Onifade. According to him, “Mama was up and doing, cordial with people and very helpful to the ladies.

“Her exit will definitely affect direct and indirect beneficiaries of her kind gestures. The church will also miss her motherly contributions to issues bordering on church affairs. Many will miss her benevolence, especially the women. She was a free mixer. As influential as she was, she did not cast anyone away.

“Mama did very well for the church, even in death. Before her death, the church was not this beautiful but through her death, the governor’s attention was shifted to it and it is being renovated along with other structures. Even the entire town is benefitting with the rehabilitation of some of the road networks. She will be remembered for this.”

If people who can be regarded as ‘outsiders’ could give such an account of late Mrs. Daniel, little wonder so much is being put in plan towards a befitting burial for her. According to the chief mourner, Otunba Robert Adenaike, the activity kickstarting the burial ceremony would be a big hunting expedition in honour of the departed on Wednesday 7th May. This, according to him, was occasioned by the fact that the deceased hailed from royal homes. “Mama Daniel was from Adekuyeri Dynasty and Akumedehin Ruling House.

This is the ruling house through which Governor Gbenga Daniel derived his Otunba Adeoti title. On Mama’s father side, she belonged to the Ramuja ruling house from which the present Olomu of Omu is. Through this also, the governor became the Olori Omo Oba of Omu.

“So whichever animals are killed during the hunting expedition, they will be given to the governor. not because of his political position, but because of his titles – The hunting expedition will be an entertaining programme,” he said. Speaking further on the burial programme, Otunba Adenaike said a service of songs will hold at Governor Daniel’s private lodge in Sagamu between 5 p.m and 7 p.m on Thursday 8th. The service is expected to attract about 2,500 well wishers from different parts of the country.

On Friday 9th, a Christian wake keep will hold at Ijebu Ode Stadium at 5 p.m where between 5,000 and 7,000 well wishers are expected. On Saturday 10th, Mrs. Daniel’s remains is expected to arrive Omu from Lagos at about 7.30 a.m. At the border of Omu, the town’s people in their totality would congregate and in a carnival-like procession, usher the remains into Omu amidst dancing, booming of guns and sounding of Gbedu drums to honour the departed soul and show love to the governor. There will be a stop-over at her ancestral home before the procession moves to the Town Hall where the remains will be laid in state.

At about 10.30 a.m; the procession and the body will move from the Town Hall to Omu-Ajose Comprehensive High School premises for an open-air service where a choir of about 200 will sing solemn hymns. This will be followed by a private burial ceremony beside the deceased’s home where a masoleum had been built. Guests would thereafter be treated to a sumptuos reception on the school’s ground.

A thanksgiving and outing service will also be held at Omu Town Hall on Sunday 11th at which about 2,500 people are being expected. Appreciating the contributions of well wishers, Otunba Adenaike said he had found it difficult to believe the response of the people, especially those who admire the contributions of Governor Daniel to the state in the last five years. “People are coming from all over the country to show appreciation for what he has been doing,” he stated.

Otunba Adenaike however pointed out that every kobo spent on preparations towards the burial ceremony had been contributed by friends and relatives. “Nothing came from the state government or any other quasi government, everything has been done modestly,” the chief mourner said.

In his comments about Mama Daniel, Otunba Adenaike said: “Mama lived well and died a noble death. She was very gentle, kind and caring during her life time. She always prayed for all cabinet members of her son’s administration, she will indeed be missed by all. Everybody’s prayer is that her kind soul rest in perfect peace.”

Mrs. Esther Olaitan Daniel was born on 15 April, 1920 in Omu-Ijebu. She died on Thursday 3 April, 2008 at Eko Hospital, Lagos during a brief illness not unrelated with old age.