THE NATION FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013
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The remains of Mrs. Elekhia Ayiyi Giwa, mother of the founding editor-in-chief of Newswatch magazine, the late Dele Giwa, was interred along the Auchi-Ekperi-Agenebode Road, Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, last Saturday. OSAGIE OTABOR was there.
•Mama’s first Son, Mr Tunde Giwa with his sisters
•From left: The late Dele Giwa’s widow, Funmi ; Mr Akinrinade and Mr Ekpu
•Mr Igiebor (left) and Mr Iyare
• Mr Soyinka
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HE questions on the lips of many journalists that attended the funeral of Mrs. Elekhia Ayiyi Giwa, mother of the founding editor-in-chief of Newswatch magazine, the late Dele Giwa was the shape the burial would have taken if Dele Giwa were to be alive to bury his mother. As expected, dignitaries from all walks of life would have graced the occasion but the event was attended by close associates of the late Dele Giwa. The funeral for Mama Giwa was held at the Church of God Mission, Ugbekpe-Ekperi in Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, a predominantly Muslim community. The church was wearing a new look while the remains were laid in a wooden coffin brought to the church by well-dressed undertakers. Mrs Giwa died on January 8 after a brief illness. She is survived by five children, 42 grand-children and 12 great-grand-children. She died 26 years after her first son, Dele, was killed by a parcel bomb in October 1986.
• Mr Ogunbiyi
Mama Dele Giwa goes home An autobiography of the late Mrs Giwa said the murder of Dele destabilised and shattered her life which led to uncontrollable high blood pressure as a result of thinking and weeping continuously. The deceased, born in Udaba Ekperi in 1925, got married in 1946 at the age of 21 to the late Bagadu Giwa. The service at the church commenced at 9am and was led by Rev. Abraham Ikpotokin, who spoke on the need to praise and thank God in situations of life. Rev Ikpotokin reminded the congregation to live a good life and remain steadfast in the Lord despite setbacks. He said death was a necessary end that must come but what is important is the kind of life one leads. He said, “Whatever you sow you will reap. Our mother has lived a good life.” The interment attended by the late Dele
Giwa’s associates evoked the memories of Dele Giwa as Madam Giwa’s remains were buried beside her son’s grave along the Auchi-EkperiAgenebode Road. Dignitaries led by Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi prayed for few minutes at the graveside and Dele’s sister, Ronke Aboaba wept. Kayode Soyinka, who was with the late Dele moments before the bomb exploded said his presence was a necessary thing for him to do because of the close relationship between them. According to him, “Immediately I heard of this occasion I made it a point of duty to be here to give that last honour to Mama. “I was a victim of that bomb. We know those who did it, those who sent the bomb to us. They are still alive. They are walking freely. Nigerians know who killed Dele. We will all die one day. Dele has done his bit. He did well as a journalist both in Nigeria and
internationally. His legacy cannot be erased. For those of us still alive, we will make sure his legacies continued:” Soyinka said. Dr Ogunbiyi said the sight of Dele’s grave was a very emotional experience for him. He said he felt close to Dele at that moment said Ray Ekpu: “It is some kind of nostalgia. We were happy the grave has been maintained. We hope to keep his memory in whatever way we can.” Ekpu urged journalists to continue with the investigative journalism started by late Dele. Last daughter of Ayiyi, Ronke described the last five years of her mother as wonderful. A Reception was later held for guests. Others in attendance included DeleGiwa’s widow, Funmi; Yakubu Mohammend; Editor-in-Chief Tell Magazine, Nosa Igiebor; Dan Agbese; Soji Akinrinade and former Media Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Mr Tony Iyare.
WHAT AND WHERE Convocation
Nikkah
Wedding
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HILDREN of Pastor Olatunde Akintajuwa and Mr Peter Owolabi, Opemipo and Oyedele will tomorrow be joined in the Holy Matrimony at the Gospel Faith Mission International, Ikorodu, Lagos.
Wedding
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HE Adqun Nikkah (wedding solemnisation) between Raheemah Olabisi and Jamiu Olalekan, children of late Alhaji Mikail Badru and Alhaji Munirudeen SekoniDairo will hold tomorrow at the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Secretariat, Oshodi, Lagos.
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PECIAL convocation ceremony and launching of N50billion Phase 11 Development Project Fund of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria will hold tomorrow at Mamam Kotangora Square, Samaru Zaria, Kaduna. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is the special guest of honour while Nigeria’s former Head of State Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida is the chairman of the development project. The state’s Governor Alhaji
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•Yero
Mukhtar Ramalan Yero is the Chief host.
Burial
funeral service for the late Emmanuel Abayomi will be held today at the Methodist Church, Ketu, Lagos. Interment follows immediately after the church service at his Ikorodu home.
Marriage
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HE Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos will host the family members of Mr Emmanuel Ademola and Rev Samson Adebimpe to the wedding ceremony of their children, Feyisayo Cecilia and Aanuoluwa John.
HILDREN of Alhaji Atanda Sanni and Alhaji Adigun Ariyo, Sheriffdeen Olalekan of The Nation and Kafayat Folashade will be joined in the Holy Matrimony tomorrow at the Flamingo Garden, Ikorodu, Lagos.
•Abubakar
Games
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HE 10th Biennial Nigerian Police Games will start on Sunday at the Liberation Stadium, Port Hacourt, Rivers State. President Goodluck Jonathan is special guest of honour on the occasion and the chief host is the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar.
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Programme
EAL Women Foundation will tomorrow hold a programme entitled celebrating womanhood, at the Daystar Christian Centre, Ikeja, Lagos. Guest speaker on the occasion is Nike Adeyemi.
COMPILED BY OCHUKO ETABE