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Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao with the Oyo State Assembly speaker at the monarch's mother's burial
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State were among the dignitaries who gathered in Ogbomoso on Thursday to pay their last respects as the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, laid his mother, Yeye Alao, to rest.
Other prominent attendees included Kwara State Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central); Senator Ajagunla Fadeyi (Osun Central); Lagos State Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde; and former first ladies Florence Ajimobi (Oyo), Abimbola Fasola (Lagos), Toyin Saraki (Kwara), and Funso Amosun (Ogun).
Also present were Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin; former Senator Ayoade Adeseun; former Oyo PDP Secretary, Basiru Akanbi; Nollywood icon, Lere Paimo; Pro-Chancellor of LAUTECH, Deji Omole; Oyo Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi; historian Prof. Banji Akintoye; and elder statesman, Saka Balogun.
Delivering the sermon, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House, Lagos, urged attendees to embrace a life of faith, emphasizing that material wealth is fleeting.
“The soul of a man is more important than all the riches and treasures in this world. Everything we acquire on earth, we will leave behind. The essential thing is to make it to heaven.
“I celebrate Mama Alao, a true Christian who loved her family deeply and was devoted to the church. I believe she made it to heaven,” he said.
Tributes to a Devoted Matriarch
In his goodwill message, Abiodun described the late Yeye Alao as a loving and supportive woman who made significant contributions despite her limited formal education.
“Mama had a humble beginning, trading between Nigeria and Ghana. She was an entrepreneur, fluent in English, Hausa, Yoruba, and a Ghanaian language. We give thanks to God for her life,” Abiodun said.
Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, eulogized Deaconess Alao as a “devoted Christian, loving mother, and wife.”
Oba Francis Alao, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, described his mother as a hardworking disciplinarian who ensured her children were raised well.
“She was a great disciplinarian and worked tirelessly in trade to support our family while my father focused on our spiritual and moral upbringing,” he said.
The burial ceremony was marked by a vibrant performance from Juju maestro King Sunny Ade, who entertained guests with his signature melodies.
Yeye Alao passed away on November 15, 2024, at the age of 81.
