Adesanya's burial to gulp N150m

Olayinka Olukoya, Abeokuta - 14.05.2008

INDICATIONS emerged on Tuesday that the funeral ceremonies for the late leader of the Pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, will gulp over N150 million.

A reliable source told the Nigerian Tribune in Abeokuta, Ogun State, that each of the six governors in the South-West would contribute N25 million for the burial, which was the decision agreed upon by the governors at a meeting held at the deceased’s residence in Lagos.

The source disclosed that some of the governors handed over their cheques and appointed the host governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel, as the co-ordinator of the burial events.

According to an official programme released and signed by Senator Femi Okunrounmu, the programme would start next Monday.

Meanwhile, contrary to newspaper reports that the burial date of the late Afenifere leader has been shifted, the burial ceremonies will still commence next Monday, and end on Friday, May 23, as earlier scheduled.

Briefing newsmen in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, after the meeting of the burial committee for the late politician chaired by the Ogun State governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel, the Chairman of the Publicity Committee, Senator Okurounmu, said the burial arrangements were intact.

“I am happy to report to you that all arrangements are on course, things are progressing, there is final and continued unanimity among all the stakeholders about the final arrangements and everything as already published is going to take place,” Senator Okunrounmu said.

He said the only modification to the programme was an addition. According to him, “in the programme earlier announced, we said that the body of Papa would lie in state on Friday, May 23 at the St. John’s Anglican Church, Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo, but the addition to the programme is that the body would not just lie in state, there would be a brief service at that church before the body moves for an open air service at Abusi Edumare Academy, Ijebu-Igbo.”

He said every other programme remained as published, maintaining that the joint valedictory parliamentary sitting by all selected legislators from all the eight states that comprise the former Western Region would still be held.

“This would be a joint sitting of selected legislators from all the states that comprise the former Western Region, invited legislators from National Assembly, Senate and House of Representatives, as well as some distinguished dignitaries to give honour to whom honour is due,” he stated.