Tributes By Gbajabiamila, Abiodun Obaigbena, Others At Olufunke Ogeah’s Funeral Service

The remains of Mrs. Olufunke Ogeah were on Friday laid to rest in Lagos amidst prayers and reflections of remembrance of the life of the deceased who passed on March 17, 2024.

The solemn occasion, which was preceded by a funeral service held at the Trinity House Church, Lagos, had in attendance eminent dignitaries from all walks of life.

The Memorial Service, presided over by the lead Pastor of the Trinity House Church, Mr. Ituah Ighodalo, with family, friends, well-wishers, and government officials in attendance reflected heartfelt moments as glowing tributes and words of encouragement were offered to the late Olufunke’s family, in which she was described as a virtuous woman who lived a remarkable life of love and fulfillment. 

Survived by her husband, Mr. Chike Ogeah; aged mother, Kanyi-sola Sophia Koya; her daughter, two sons, a grandson, brother, and three sisters, Mrs. Ogeah’s departure left a void in the lives of those closest to her from the Ogeah Family of Ogbe-Ogo, Umuonaje Quarters of Asaba, Delta State and the Koya Family of Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

Olufunke, the beloved wife of Ogeah, a former Commissioner of Information in Delta State, died aged 62.

In his tribute to the late Olufunke, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, described her as a virtuous woman who had a calling for children; particularly young boys who she nurtured from boys to men.

Gbajabiamila, who is a longtime friend of the Ogeah family added that Funke was a woman of substance, always joyful, always happy, and always pleasant.

He stressed that she was a selfless and amazing human being who most times seeks assistance regarding some other remote persons far from her and wants her to be remembered as such.

He said, “But seriously, for many of us, Funke meant a lot and meant everything. Here lies the body of a virtuous woman; herein lies the body of a woman of substance.

“When I came in here and sat down some moments ago, I decided I was not going to wear a long face or a sad face. And I quickly changed my mood; I decided to wear a smile.

“Now the smile came automatically simply because I kept on remembering, again flashes of my conversations and interactions with Funke over the years. And when you have the kind of relationship, the kind of flashes, the kind of memories that I have with Funke, you can only but wear a smile. That is how I’m sure Funke would want to be remembered. 

“My principal, for many of you know, is out of the country. And ordinarily, when he is out of the country, I cannot step foot out of Abuja. But I felt today I had no choice but to come myself to bid Funke farewell. I came in from Abuja this morning I came straight here and as I leave this place, I would be heading straight back to the airport back to Abuja.

“I would have done my heart desire. Many may not know this but I have known Funke for upwards of 35 years, possibly even more. I have known Funke from day one from our university days. Then this is actually personal and very deep for me, I knew Funke and I knew her together with Chike who I sat next to just now during the service.

“And I found myself at some point, which is something I don’t do. I’m an emotional person, but I found myself holding Chike’s hands. Rarely do you find a man holding a man’s hands. Rarely because when you hear about a childhood sweetheart, many of us here are married, but many of us met out wives and partners perhaps after university, after graduation.

“Very few of us have stayed with the same partners over the years from the time when we were 18, 19, and 20. And I believe those were the years Chike and Funke met each other. Funke, like many must have testified perhaps yesterday and even before yesterday (during the Service of Songs and Evening of Music and Tributes), had a calling for children; particularly for young boys who she nurtured from boys to men.

“That was her calling. Possibly the same way she nurtured her husband Chike from a boy to a man. She was this woman who was full of life; always joyful, always happy, always pleasant. But seriously, for many of us, Funke meant a lot and meant everything. Here lies the body of a virtuous woman; herein lies the body of a woman of substance.

“I’m sure if we open this casket today this moment, Funke would be wearing a perpetual smile either in her face or in her heart. That’s how I know her and that’s how I would want to remember her. She was an amazing human being. May God bless and keep her soul.”

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, in his farewell to the deceased who was an indigene of the state, said for all those that know her would testify to the fact that she was a very boisterous woman. “She was very enterprising, very hardworking. Funke, from all account, was very selfless.

“She was diligent yet very humble. She was a beautiful woman in and out. She loved children and had listening ears for them. She understood them better than most of us and a testimony to the fact that Funke was a virtuous woman. She was a doting mother to her kids; Uche, Uzoma and Chike (Jnr).

“A loving and adorable wife to her husband and her brother; she was his friend, she was his companion, she was his partner. Above all, Funke was God-fearing. We have had this from several testimonies between yesterday and today. This is yet another reminder of how vulnerable we all are and how transient life is.”

The governor, on behalf of his family, the entire people and government of Ogun State, commiserated with the Ogeah family and prayed that the Almighty God forgives all her sins and grant the repose of her soul. He prayed that the Almighty God gives her husband Chike, the children and other members of the family the heart and fortitude to bear the sad loss.

Lady Olufunke as fondly called meant so much and to so many people whom her path crossed during her lifetime. She would continue to be remembered. Her son Uche, described her as a fighter. A member of Regan Memorial Baptist Girls’ Secondary School who spoke on behalf of the Class of ’77, who the late Mrs. Ogeah was part of, eulogised her in fond ways reminiscent of her life.

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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