By Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday recounted how he missed the opportunity of a last moment with his late mother, Mrs Abigail Makinde.
The governor, who said the news of the death of his mother was still a shock for him to bear, spoke in a tribute at the service of songs held at The Archade of the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, as part of the funeral rites of his late mother.
Personalities like former Oyo State governor Rasheed Ladoja, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, former Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Olasupo Ayokunle, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, Arch Bishop Segun Okubadejo among others spoke glowingly of the deceased.
Makinde recounted that he had promised to see his mother the weekend after the Ondo election, but was unable to pick her calls for fear of not being able to grant her ‘suspected’ wish of stopping by to see her before the agreed time.
He said he was shocked to be woken up the following morning by the news of the death of his mother, adding that what the deceased would not take was for her children not to be serious with their studies.
“My mum was a tough woman. She came to Ibadan with nothing, according to her. She was just looking for a green pasture and Ibadan then happened to be the capital of Western Region, so she came just like anyone would come, and she met my father. I think she came when she was 18.”
The Vicar, St Paul’s Anglican Church, Yemetu, Ibadan, Dr. Samuel Osungbeju, hailed the deceased for her good deeds and enjoined others to emulate her.
