The Late High Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu, the Amoye-llu of Lagos and in-law to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been finally laid to rest on Thursday after almost a weeklong burial rite ceremony in Lagos.
First son of the Lagos High-Chief, Hon Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, the Deputy Majority Leader and member representing the Ikeja Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly in the company of his adorable wife welcomed family and guests to the final reception to send forth the son-in-law of the pioneer Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and mother of Nigeria’s President, late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, at the Bells Event Centre, Cambel Street, Lagos-Island.
The anchor-person of the reception, self-acclaimed Grand-Comedian of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Otunba Gbenga Adeyinka the Third, welcomed dignitaries that have in attendance the Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, representatives of the President and governor of Lagos State, Local Government Chairmen, Federal and State Lawmakers, Commissioners, Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress and a host of others.
The funeral programme for the Amoye-llu of Lagos started on Tuesday with Service of Songs at the St John’s Anglican Church, Iju-Ishaga, Lagos.
While the Wake-Keep/ Tribute took place on Wednesday at the St Peters Anglican Church, Lagos Island and the funeral service was held at the same venue on Thursday morning before internment.
Hon. Kasunmu’s mother, the Late Mrs Abiodun Arafat Kasunmu, was a younger sister to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She passed away in October 2006, leaving behind the young Adedamola, who is now the Deputy Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly as the only child. Interestingly, the President and Hon. Kasunmu share the same birthdate, March 29th.
The late Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu was a great philanthropist, political and community leader in his lifetime. He held the title of Amoye Ilu of Lagos, Akeweje of Egbaland and Fiwagboye of Abuja among other titles.
His elder sister, Chief (Mrs) Olubunmi Anyaoku is the wife of former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku GCON.
This explains why President Tinubu also wrote a letter of condolence to the elder statesman and the Kasunmu family.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu penned an emotional condolence letter to his nephew, Hon Kasunmu
The official condolence letter dated 9th June and signed by the President, Asiwaju wrote:
“My Dear Damola,
My heartfelt condolences go out to you, your siblings, and the entire Kasunmu, Williams, and Coker families on the passing of your dear father, Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu.
Your Dad, whom I knew closely as the husband to my late sister, your mother, Abiodun Arafat, was a jolly good fellow and a remarkable individual who made significant contributions to family, community, and society.
I also remember his late mother, Chief (Mrs.) Elfrida Williams Kasunmu (a.k.a. Mama Loke), your paternal grandmother, who was a successful career woman, an active political amazon, and an intimate friend of my mother, Alhaja Abibatu Ashabi Mogaji, of blessed memory.
We thank God your Dad left behind a worthy heir such as you, and we also thank God for the lives of the siblings and family members he left behind, such as Chief (Mrs.) Olubunmi Anyaoku, wife of our statesman and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON and his widow, Mrs. Kemi Kasunmu.
Be assured that the entire Tinubu/Mogaji families stand with you and your siblings now and always.
May God grant him eternal rest, and may the souls of your mother, Rafa; our darling aburo, Modupe; our beloved Kemi Nelson; our matriarch, Mama Abibatu Ashabi Mogaji; and all other departed souls continue to rest peacefully. Take heart.
Sincerely,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”
