Political leaders urged to stop masses’ oppression - At Daniel’s mum’s burial

Olayinka Olukoya, Abeokuta - 11.05.2008

THE retired Bishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Reverened Ayo Ladigbolu, has urged Nigeria political leaders to stop oppressing the masses with their political powers, if they want their children and generation to last forever.

Bishop Ladigbolu said this on Saturday while delivering his sermon at the burial of Princess Esther Olaitan Daniel (nee Mabadeje), mother of the Ogun State governor,Chief Gbenga Daniel, held at the school ground of Omu-Ajose Comprehensive High School, Omu-Ijebu, Ogun State.

The cleric stated further that the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), should put its house in order so as to serve Nigerians better, saying Nigerians are groaning and suffering.

According to him, “ ThePeoples Democratic Party (PDP), the largest party in Africa, put your house in order .How are you using your power? The rancour and crisis in your party .Put your house in order, so the you can serve the people. Listen to Nigerians to ascertain whether they are rejoicing or groaning.

The man of God gave reasons why Nigerian leaders must fear God, saying that they should remembered that life is short and that they don’t have a permanent house in this world.

While extolling the virtues of the deceased, the cleric described her as a role model of a nation builder in person of Governor Daniel, saying her moral uprightness and self respect during her lifetime was planted in her children.

His words: “For this generation, she is a typical virtuous woman .Nigerian mothers train your wards.Nigerian mothers what legacies are you going to leave behind? The woman is being celebrated today because she had performed her duties very well over her children.

“She was an excellent wife,a successful food merchant, a pillar of strength to her missionary husband, and a church planter who served in 16 stations in Nigeria and also served as missionaries in three West Africa countries.Her’s was a wholistic service to God.”

Dignitaries who graced the occasion included :President Umaru Yar’Adua who was represented by the Minister for Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola,the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.Dimeji Bankole, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, who represented the Yeye Odua, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, all South West governors, their counterparts from Kogi, Imo states,deputy governor of Cross River State, representatives of Adamawa and Ebonyi State governors, distinguished senators of the National Assembly, Ministers, Otunba Subomi Balogun and his wife, General Oladipo Diya (rtd), Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

Others are; former deputy governors of Lagos State, Chief (Mrs) Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele,Otunba Femi Pedro, Chief Olabode George, Prince Bola Ajibola, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Wale Babalakin (SAN), Mr Segun Awolowo(jnr), Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, who represented the PDP National Chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, among other eminent Nigerians.