Mrs Alice Adebayo, widow of Chief Jide Adebayo, has appealed to family members, friends, sympathisers and Omu-Aran Community to stop crying.
Adebayo made the appeal in her tributes at the funeral service for the former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the 2nd ECWA Church, Agamo in Omu-Aran, Kwara State on Saturday.
The in her tributes, she said they should intensify their prayers and have belief that Adebayo has gone to rest.
She said: “I want to thank everyone, the Church, family members, friends and Omu-Aran Community for your support and assistance.
“You have assisted us with your prayers, with finances and word of advices.
“God will uphold our families; you have done what needs to be done to save his life, but our God the creator knows our movement.
“Even, doctors did their best to save his life. My husband was always promoting family values wherever he found himself.
“I want to appeal to us to stop crying, but to intensify our prayers and have the belief that he has gone to rest. Almighty God will uphold our families.”
Also, a friend of Adebayo, Alhaji Funsho Salawu, in his own tributes, said: “He lived a very good life.
“The volumes of condolences since his demise is extraordinary and unprecedented.
“We have lost somebody who is very difficult to replace; he was a personification of humility and kindness.
“Omu-Aran Government Secondary School (GSS) has lost a worthy ambassador and a rare gem and humanity has lost one of its finest.
“May God Almighty console his friends, family and the entire Omu-Aran community.”
Also, Rev. S.O Adewumi, the new Chairman, 2nd ECWA Church, Agamo, District Church Council, Omu-Aran, said that Adebayo did the best he could while alive.
Adewumi said Adebayo had done what his family and the community could be proud of, adding “it may be painful today, but happiness is coming.
“I want every one of us to remember that death is inevitable; whatever we do, we shall be accountable to God,” he said.
Mr Charles Aniyikaye, on behalf of the Choir, 2nd ECWA Church, said that Adebayo was the Life Choir Patron of the Church.
“He was always passionate about the church welfare and its members.
“Whenever we have programmes, he would be the one to call his friends one by one to donate to the church.
“Not until Thursday, it has never occurred to us that Chief Jide Adebayo can just die without bidding us good bye.
“He was a brilliant journalist, who commanded high sense of reasoning and wisdom in his chosen career.
“We are consoled by the fact that most people in Jide Adebayo’s shoes, mostly died young, even our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified at his prime.
“His memory will remain evergreen in our hearts for a long time.
“He was installed on the Sept.9, 2012 as our life Patron and he has been very dedicated, committed and selfless in his contributions to the church and humanity.”
Mr Buki Ponle, Managing Director of NAN, had described the death of Adebayo as devastating.
Ponle, in a condolence visit to Adebayo’s residence in Idimu, Lagos on Friday, said that Adebayo’s exit was painful.
“His demise is causing a pain too deep to bear, especially in the NAN family.
“At 66, he is too young to die, as he was full of life,” Ponle said.
The managing director, represented on the visit by Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Head, NAN Lagos Operations, said that the deceased was loved by all because he showed empathy.
“He touched lives and ensured justice and equity. He was an effective mobiliser.
“While I pray for the soul to rest in peace, I pray God to give the Omu Aran community in Kwara, where he governed as Prime Minister, as well as the wife and children, the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.
Ponle said that the entire journalism profession, particularly NAN, would miss the contributory role of Adebayo in the development of the profession.
The deceased’s widow, who received the NAN delegation, thanked the managing director for the great show of love since her husband took his exit.
“I am also overwhelmed with the deep affection by the NAN family in spite of the fact that my husband left the Agency several years ago.
“Practically the whole NAN family is here. Those that are not here have been calling to commiserate with us. We are grateful and shall remain grateful,” she said.
Until he retired from the services of the Agency six years ago, Adebayo served as acting Managing Director, first Executive Director, Marketing Department, and Head, Lagos Operations.
He also served as sports editor and covered the 1998 World Cup held in France.
Adebayo’s body was lowered into the grave about 5 p.m after a short service.
His wife, Mrs Alice Adebayo, son, Dr Dotun Adebayo and sister Hajia Kehinde Salaudeen, were at the graveside to perform the dust-to-dust rites.
In his short graveside message, Rev. S. O Asonibare of the 2nd ECWA Agamo, Omu-Aran, said the deceased lived life to impact, not only his family, but the work of God.
“For this, many people have one reason or the other to associate with him,” the cleric said.
He prayed for repose of the soul of the deceased and that God should grant his family and Omu-Aran community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
In her condolence, Olori Omowumi Ibitoye, wife of the late Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, described Adebayo’s death as a great loss.
Ibitoye said: “We will surely miss your humility, kindness and advices.
“We prayed that God will grant your soul eternal rest.”
Also, Prof. Lawal Adedoyin, a Professor of Economy, Bowen University, Iwo in Osun State, described Adebayo as a blessing to humanity.
“You came, you saw, you conquered. No doubt, you are a blessing to humanity, Rest on Chief Jide Adebayo,” Adedoyin said.
Speaking, Prof. Ademola Popoola, a long time friend of the late Adebayo, in his tributes, described the deceased as “an embodiment of humility and peace.
“God gave you to our community as a gift, but we wish that this gift stayed with us longer. Continue to rest in peace,” Popoola said.
