The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has condoled with his nephew, Hon. (Prince) Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, popularly called ARK, over the demise of his father.
Hon. Kasunmu, who is the Deputy Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly, lost his dad, High Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu to the cold hands of death on May 10th, 2024 at the age of 75
In an 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”
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 Comnmonwealth 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.
Chief Kasunmu’s final burial rite commences on Tuesday 18th June 2024 with a Service of Songs at St John’s Anglican Church, Iju. This will be followed by a Wake Keep Service at his St Peters Anglican Church, Lagos Island on Wednesday 19th June 2024 while the final funeral service holds at the same church on Thursday 20th June 2024.