Throughout last weekend, particularly on Sunday, the whole of Ibadan was on a partial lockdown as dignitaries from every part of the globe converged on the city for an event that was special in all ways. Virtually all the big names you can mention in Nigeria were in the city for the 40 days Fidau prayers for late Chief Mrs, Sherifat Agbeke Kola-Daisi, wife of foremost industrialist and Ibadan High Chief, Kola Daisi. The late amazon of the Kola Daisi family passed on, on October 6, 2018 and the event on Sunday (held at the Ibadan Civic Centre, owned by the family) also marked her 80th (posthumous) birthday.
Every big name in the events industry was contracted for the party that had over 5000 guests. Eventful, owned by Mrs Yewande Zacheus coordinated everything.
The widower, Chief Kola Daisi also attended the event. His moving tribute, which was also relayed live duriing the event was one of the major highpoints. Read it below...
"Agbeke Olanbiwonnu Sherifat,
Agbeke Castle,
Ibadan.
061018.
Our union was pre-ordained and was sealed in Heaven. It was delivered and consumated on earth in the UK, in London at the Registry, Russel Square, WC1, on 23rd July 1960. It blossomed beyond belief and defied all odds. It spurnned FOUR generations -from ours to Ayomide's.
It was characterised by PURE LOVE, CHARITY, EMPATHY and especially on your, PIETY. It was the envy of everyone touched by it. Its Golden jubilee was celebrated by its three generations, again in the UK, in Bournemouth, and witnessed by at least 3 of the most eminent witnesses at its birth; namely -Otunba Subomi Balogun (of Ijebu Ode), Mr. Demola Fashola (of Lagos) now late, and Chief Kareem Oladele Latunji (of Ibadan).
It was designed to last forever. Its Diamond Jubilee would have been celebrated by four generations, but for those infirmities! Even then, Sheri, you wanted the melody to continue, nonstop beyond October 6, insisting that your earthly mission of Love and Righteousness was just beginning.
But you were both Right and Wrong!
Right because your legacy continues to live in those beloved, proud and girls with whom we are blessed; but wrong because, any music, no matter the melody must stop -at least for the interlude as I believe in our own case. But the melody (like the Blossom) lives forever, nonetheless.
What of KOLADAISI University with its heart in the Sherifat Agbeke Lecture Theatre? And what of the many LEGENDS before it, including: THe Sherifat Agbeke Mercy Medical Center in Alaadorin in Ibadan. I affirm, God willing, that these, INSHA ALLAH, like the many other works of your hands and and their ultmate recognition by the Federal Government of Nigeria -the MFR -shall not perish from the surface of the earth. The world shall never forget for an example, that you became the mother of a king in this lifetime, and that you achieved the status of a great-grand mother whilst still on this side of the great DIDIDE.
Conntinue to rest in perfect peace my irreplaceable Agbeke until we Certainly meet again to continue our joint mission of Love and Peace in the continuum of CREATION.
Your Darling Kola."