The late Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye, was yesterday buried in Ikere Ekiti, with Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Olusola Ajayi warning Nigerian leaders against obscene corrupt enrichment and mind-boggling material acquisition.
The Cleric said if Nigerian leaders were futuristic and circumspect of the last day, the country would be peaceful and bereft of crises of corruption, kidnapping, insurgency, vote- buying and other cankerworms that are destroying the Nigerian fabrics.
The man of God spoke yesterday in his sermon marking the church’s burial procession for Afuye held at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Oke ‘kere, Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
Afuye, who presided over the State Assembly for three and half years, died of a heart attack on October 19, 2022, at the age of 66.
Afuye was brought into the church in a white casket at about 9.56am, accompanied by his Wife, Titilayo, children and other family members.
Addressing the congregants during the barely one and half hours sermon, Bishop Ajayi said, “Vanity upon vanity, all is vanity. How I wish all Nigerians, especially our leaders could understand this as preached by God in the Holy Books.
“If they understand, our politicians won’t be buying votes, they won’t be embezzling what is expected to be spent for the citizens, there will be peace in Nigeria and there won’t be kidnapping, killings and insurgency.
“Today, our roads are bad. Our leaders and big men no longer use the road, they travel in chartered flights around. Nobody is thinking about the common man. It was as bad as that.
“But let me tell you that all those things you acquiring and accumulating, you won’t take any of them along when death comes.
“The book of Solomon preached that vanity upon vanity, all is vanity. We must take this into our memories. It is not the number of years you lived that matters, but how you lived it and who exactly you are when you are on earth.
“Hon Funminiyi Afuye didn’t live long but he was positively impactful. As a politician, he started from the lower cadre and rose to become a lawmaker and right honourable Speaker.
“Ask yourself today, how are you living your life? It is better you change your ways for you to make heaven”.
Afuye’s son, Olamide, described his father as very caring and loving to his immediate family and the entire people of Ekiti, saying his good deeds will continue to linger in people’s hearts and speak loudly of his good gestures.
The young Afuye applauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji and other Ekiti leaders as well as the citizens, for demonstrating immense love for the family since the sudden and untimely demise of his father.
