Thursday the 20th day of June 2024 will go down in memory lane as one day which archived the fond memories of a kind hearted giver- the late High Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu father of Lagos State House of Assembly’s Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Adedamola Richard Kasunmu (ARK), described as someone who naturally exudes goodness.
It evidently marks the commencement of an eternal journey to the great beyond as his mortal body takes on immortality.
Pa Kasunmu who held the following titles prior to his demise- Amoye-Ilu of Lagos, Fiwagboye of Abuja and Akeweje of Egbaland exemplifies what it really means to be an enigma, as prominent Nigerians thronged the venues of his burial programmes.
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 who made made great 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 surviving sibling, Chief (Mrs) Olubunmi Anyaoku is married to former Commonwealth 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.
It is worthy of note to state that the Kasunmu’s are traditionally Anglican by faith and this fact resonated loudly from the Service of Songs held at St. John Anglican Church Iju Ishaga Lagos on Tuesday 18th June, 2024 followed by a well-attended Wake Keep Service at St Peters Church, Faji, Lagos Island on Wednesday 19th June,2024 and which climaxed in a final interment service at the Church on 20th June,2024 before his body was finally committed to the mother earth at Ikoyi Cemetery.
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.
At exactly 10am the final interment service commenced in his honour 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 Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Oluremi Hazmat; Secretary to the Government of Lagos State (SSG), Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin(who represented Governor Sanwo-Olu); former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku,; Chairman of APC in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.
Also present were Sen. 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.
A resplendent reception immediately kicks-off on the 5th Floor of The Bell Event Center on the island and was no gainsaying a 5-star class of an event, given the panache and finesse of the ambience that regaled the hall with mouth-watering cuisine listed on the order-guide placed on all the tables with ready hands to attend the needs of guest, it typifies an intense Caribbean theme common with Hollywood events.
The first son of the late patriarch of the Kasunmu dynasty-Hon Adedamola Richard Kasunmu (ARK) again asserts his tasteful style, by ensuring a classified arrangement for guests’ convenience while the eminent personalities, women and men graced the occasion well decked in the choice green and lemon Ankara Asoebi, painted a beautiful scenery with their different styles, designs and captivating comportment.
The ever-graceful compare Gbenga Adeyinka de 1st was evidently at his best as he anchored the event flawlessly, making welcomed all gathered in honour of the late Pa Kasunmu.
Gospel Saxophone Minister, BeeJay Sax Hon. Kasunmu’s favourite artiste 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 Obasa at the event with a retinue of 10th Assembly lawmakers created a buzz that paused the event momentarily.
Mr. Speaker came to honour the No 4 Principal officer of the biggest State House of Assembly in Africa, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu.
Obasa left a charge with all gathered at the event while delivering a goodwill message, he urged the guests comprising both the high and mighty in the society to live a life of impact, touching lives in their various communities and neighbourhood positively while he also welcomed the son of the late Kasunmu to the orphan club which he declared he also join recently when his father died.
Hon Kasunmu while speaking with newsmen at the event recaptured the personae of his late father whom he said was caring, kind and compassionate, while taking out time to appreciate his uncle the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife Yeye Oluremi Tinubu for the condolence letter and identifying with the family over the demise of his late Dad.
“My father now late, High Chief Adekunle Olaosebikan Kasunmu was a humane and compassionate person, who always have your best interest at heart no matter what and would go to any length to make sure it is satisfactory to what your heart desires are.
“He has also been a loving father. His giving spirit is second to known and I have emulated that from him, both my late mother Chief Mrs. Abiodun Arafat Kasunmu who was his wife before she passed on were givers and it is a trait that I have grown to imbibe over the last four decades and I am better off for it.
“I will miss so dearly his fifteen missed calls at 5:30 am.”
The wife of the lawmaker Mrs. Esther Morenike Kasunmu also shared fond memories of late Pa Kasunmu, she recounts how graceful her father-in-law is, citing his loving mien to life and his dispassionate style of showing care to all.
“Chief is a fantastic man and we are happy today to come celebrate a life well spent. He is resting in the bosom of the Lord now because he was a great man that had so much impact in the lives of so many.
“He had a beautiful caring characteristic he catered for everyone, chief loved everyone so dearly even if you are not his family and we his children learnt it from him so far it has been wonderful.
Stating what she would miss about the late Pa Kasunmu, “His consistent calls to check up on me. Chief will call me ten times between five and six am to ensure that I am fine. He loved me so dearly but we believe that he is in a better place.”
Hon. Kasunmu’s delectable wife, Princess (Mrs) Morenike Kasunmu stole the show with different enchanting assembles she adorned 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 obviously still on their minds.
Their mum, Mrs Olukemi Kasunmu also did extremely well by comporting herself courageously.
Other dignitaries at the reception include: 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.
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.