An African proverb says “When a mighty tree falls, the whole earth shakes to it’s roots”.
This was exactly what played out in the city of Lagos on Thursday 20th June 2024 when, the late High Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu, father of Lagos State House of Assembly’s Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Adedamola Richard Kasunmu (ARK), was committed to mother earth amidst pomp and panache.
The Thursday event was the grand finale of a series of events that stated with a melodious Service of Songs held at St. John Anglican Church Iju Ishaga Lagos on Tuesday 18th June, 2024. This was followed by a well-attended Wake Keep Service at St Peters Church, Faji, Lagos Island. The Kasunmus are traditionally Anglican by faith.
The final burial ceremony of Pa Kasunmu started on a cool note on Thursday with regally attired pall bearers from Lagos-based elite funeral handlers, TOS Funerals arrived at the church premises with his remains amidst dancing, drumming and singing under the early morning drizzle.
The church service started at 10am and was handled with precision by the officiating priests led by the lead Vicar, who eulogized the deceased for his commitment to the things of God and urged his children and everyone present to emulate his fatherly legacies.
Dignitaries present at the church service include Oba of Lagos, who was represented by his Staff of Office and 10 white cap chiefs.
Others include the wife of the Deputy Majority Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Oluremi Hazmat; Secretary to the Government of Lagos State (SSG), Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin(who represented Governor Sanwoolu); former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku,; Chairman of APC in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; Send. Babajide Omoworare; Afrobeat Star, Darey Art Alade; Executive Chairman, Ikeja Local Government, Engr. Mojeed Alabi Balogun and his cabinet; the Iyalode of Lagos; Chief (Mrs) Bintu Tinubu; mother of Former Governor Fashola, Mrs Omolara Fashola; Chief Funso Ologunde; Prince Ranti Olufon and his wife; Ikeja LGA Vice Chairman, Hon. Yomi Mayungbe; Ikeja LGA SLG Comrade Akeem Dauda (AKOD); former House of Representatives member, and father of Hon. Kasunmu’s wife; Hon. Matthew Omegara; and many other dignitaries. In course of the service, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu was inducted into the prestigious YMCA group of the church in order to sustain the legacies of his father.
The Internment aspect took place at Ikoyi cemetery, where Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, his siblings, father’s widow, wife, son and close family members performed the dust-to-dust rites before their patriarch’s remains were finally lowered to the grave. It rites were supervised by St Peters Church officials and it was brief.
The reception took place on the 5th Floor of The Bell Event Center and was nothing short of a 5-star ceremony.
Decorated with an intense Caribbean theme, the ambience of the hall oozes out vibes usually associated with Hollywood events.
Apart from the women who turned out in various captivating styles and designs carved out of the green and lemon Ankara Asoebi chosen for the event, the setting and segmentation of the venue to cater for all classes of guests clearly brought Hon. Kasunmu’s premium taste for perfection to the fore.
Gbenga Adeyinka de 1st anchored the event.
Gospel Saxophone Minister, BeeJay Sax who happens to be Hon. Kasunmu’s favourite, set the tone for an evening of praise, worship, Entertainment and fun as he dished out various popular tunes, moving from table to table, creating a frenzy of dance and symphony of excitement among the guests.
Faith Band and Ajobiewe’s son also thrilled guests to high pitch performances.
The arrival of the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Mudashiru at the event with a retinue of 10th Assembly lawmakers created a buzz that paused the event monetarily.
Mr. Speaker came to honour the No 4 Principal officer of the biggest State House of Assembly in Africa, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu.
In his remarks at the event, Hon. Kasunmu thanked Mr. Speaker, all dignitaries and guests who gathered at the event to honour his late father. He also thanked those who gave all the necessary support towards the success of the event.
Hon. Kasunmu’s delectable wife, Princess (Mrs) Morenike Kasunmu stolen the show with different enchanting assembles she ardoned during the ceremony. The Chief Executive Officer of Dassah Empire shone like a thousand stars as she looked after her husband’s guests and ensured they were well taken care of.
Her colleagues and fellow wives of legislators (LASLEWA) were also there in large numbers to support her because She’s well respected and loved among the group.
Political Apex Leaders and members of Hon. Kasunmu’s Ikeja Constituency 2 were fully present in large numbers.
Apart from Alhaji Adekunle Dally-Adeokun ( Ikeja LGA APC Chairman and Conference 57 APC Chairmen), his deputy Prince Oluranti Olufon; Engr. Kehinde Akinola; Barr. Adebola Ladigbolu, Comrade Kayode Ajakaiye, Chief Omolabi and other apex Leaders, there were over 200 political personalities from Ikeja Constituency 2 who came to rejoice with Hon. Kasunmu at his father’s burial.
Siblings of Hon Kasunmu, Oluwaseun Kasunmu, Omorinsola Kasunmu and Omosalewa Kasunmu gave their patriarch a befitting burial honour as they participated fully in all the programmes even though the feelings of their father’s departure was obvious still on their minds.
Their mum, Mrs Olukemi Kasunmu also did extremely well by comporting herself courageously.
Other dignitaries at the reception include:
Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa (Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly; Hon. Lasbat Meranda (Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly);
Hon. Noheem Adams ( Majority Leader, LSHA);
Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro;
Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole (Former Speaker of House of representatives); Chief Jumoke Okoya Thomas (APC Woman Leader Lagos); Olu of Agudaland, Oba Agbaosi Eweobaja; Chief Nojeemu Aro,(Baale of Ojodu);
Mrs. Adiba Anyaoku Ighodaro and her husband, Mr. Ighodaro;
Engineer Kehinde Akinola;
Alhaji Adekunle Dally-Adeokun (Chairman, Lagos APC LGA Chairmen
Mr. Rasheed Muri-Okunola (GM, Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency);
Hon. Princess Funmi Tejuosho
Hon. Jude Idimogu:
Clerk of the House of Assembly, Barr Lekan Onafeko; Hon. Sola Giwa; Mr. Ade Oyekan (GM, LNSA):
Alhaja Taibat Elemosho;(Montai); Olori Alara of Ilara Kingdom; Dare Art Alade; Hon. Ladi Ajomale; Hon. Ajani Owolabi; Hon. Nureni Akinsanya (OSMAK); Hon. Saka Fafunmi; General Manager, LASPARK, Mrs Adetoun Popoola, Mrs Yemisi Deji-Tinubu and several other dignitaries.
In his lifetime, the late High Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu, was a very industrious personality, a renowned socialite, an astute political leader in Ifako Ijaye local government, a consummate Christian and community leader. He was a successful civil engineer and business personality. He made good impacts on a lot of lives.
His late mother, Chief (Mrs) Elfrida Williams originated from the Coker and Williams families of Iporo Ake, Abeokuta while his father came from Onilegbale royal family of Lagos. As a young man, he got married to Abiodun Arafat, the beautiful daughter of the late Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, who was then the best friend of Mama Elfrida Williams. The marriage produced only one child, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, who is currently the Deputy Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly. Chief (Mrs) Abiodun Kasunmu died in 2006. Chief Kasunmu’s second marriage to Mrs Oluwakemi Kasunmu (a beautiful Customs officer) is blessed with three wonderful daughters who are currently doing very well in their educational pursuits.
His only survivng sibling, Chief (Mrs) Olubunmi Anyaoku is married to former Comnmonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
This explains why the Anyaoku siblings, Mrs Adiba Anyaoku Ighodaro and Yemi Anyaoku were fully involved in the planning and execution of the burial ceremony. During the event Hon. Kasunmu commended them immensely for their contributions and support towards the success of the ceremony.
Other personalities who played key roles in the ceremony were His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos; Chief (Mrs) Oluyomi Coker-Okubamowo; Chief (Mrs) Fehintola Muri-Okunola; Princess Debo Odutola; Chief Mrs Omolara Fashola; Mrs. Adetoun Popoola; Mrs Yemisi Deji-Tinubu; Mr. Kofo Fashola; Alhaja Bintu Fatimah Tinubu; Alhaja Folasade Salako; Alhaja Badmus and of course, the President himself and his wife, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and many others from the Coker, Williams, Kasunmu, Mogaji and Tinubu families.
Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu held the titles Amoye-Ilu of Lagos, Fiwagboye of Abuja and Akeweje of Ake, Abeokuta. He
will surely be missed by all. May his soul continue to rest peacefully.
Sola Folowosele
SSA to the DML(Media)
DML ARK MEDIA TEAM
