By Seyifunmi Odunuga
All roads that led to Agege, New Oko Oba in Lagos, were during the week jam packed with movers and shakers in Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Ayo Ni o Worldwide, political icons, business stakeholders, academia.
With the creme de la creme in the society all because of the Popoola family who gave the last respect to their late Mother, Special Mother in Israel/ Prophetess, Felicia Oluyemi Popoola, who answered the home call of Almighty God early this year.
The celebration of life started on Thursday 11th of April, 2024 by the performance of pall bearers dancing with the corpse before lying in state at number 28, Amusan Street, New Oko Oba, Agege, Lagos.
Thereafter, the children, family members and friends moved to the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Sabo, Oko Oba district headquarters, Kingsland, Agege, Lagos for Christian wake keep.
The second and third lessons of the program were read by the Senior Mother in Israel, Adedayo Kayode and daughter of deceased, Mrs. Funmilola Adeyemi.
Followed by announcement and testimonies anchored by the Church Secretary, Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Sabo, Oko Oba district headquarters, Evangelist Abiola Arowoogun, who later invited some of the dignitaries including families and friends to pay tributes to the deceased.
Those called include Special Mother in Israel Oshinaya; Senior Mother Israel Apostolic Mother/ Prophetess, Funmi Omolabi; Prophetess Esther Omowunmi Jolayemi and Special Mother in Israel Pastor Olutola Boyede Adebanjo.
Others are Special Mother In Israel Prophetess Adunni Kuku; Chairperson, Woman Fellowship Kingsland, Sabo, Oko Oba District Headquarters, Special Mother in Israel/Evangelist, Yetunde Teru.
Also, Prophetess Christianah Oluyemisi Olaseinde; Prophetess Debby Amosu; Elder Gabriel Adekunle Adefila; daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Funmilola Adeyemi and son, Adeola Popoola.
Thereafter, there was a sermon delivered by Special Apostle Prophet Samuel Adeyefa.
In his sermon, Prophet Adeyefa asked a question, ” Who is next,” ‘ Ta’lo kan?, saying “Mama Popoola has done her best and she has left. Now the legacy she left will continue to linger in the memories of the people she left behind. Mama Popoola left as a champion.”
The Prophet then used a neighbor who was leaving in his area as an example, stating that the woman was so wicked and when she died all her children outside the country came home for her celebration of life but unfortunately nobody came for the event except the officiating ministers and her children because of her evil doing.
Adeyefa then urged the children to follow the legacy of Mama Popoola, noting that she left as a great woman.
The closing prayer was said by Special Apostle Prophet Dr. Sola Ajijolaoluwa.
The following day, Friday, 12th of April, 2024, the funeral service was held at her residence, 28, Amusan Street, New Oko Oba, Agege, Lagos, anchored by Prophet Ezekiel Oyawole.
Words of exhortation was delivered by Special Apostle Prophet Sola Ajijolaoluwa, charging the dignitaries to do good because where Mama Popoola went is for everybody and it will come anytime.
He maintained that as human beings we you should get prepared because it is possible for one to sleep in the night and may not wake up the following day. Ajijolaoluwa then called three people to offer special prayers.
Thereafter, the corpse was open for people to pay respect to the departed and closing prayer was said by Special Apostle Evangelist Tumi Oyeyemi while the pall bearers displayed with the corpse and went in convoy to the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Ayo Ni o , Kingsland District, Baba Ikotun Street, Agbogun, Agbara in Ogun State, to perform the dust to dust.
All the officiating ministers thereafter came home to pray for the children while reception followed immediately by 3pm at Laroyale Event Center, New Oko Oba, Agege, Lagos.
The reception was anchored by Ambassador Kayode Sanni popularly called daddy 4G who later invited Prophetess Funmi Akindehin, for the opening prayer.
During the event program, there was side attraction (Ewi) by Prince and Princess while the children of the deceased, US based socialite, Sade Green, Funmilola Adeyemi, Bukky Popoola, Adeola Popoola, In – Laws and some dignitaries while speaking with the Apreel1 Events TV hailed late Mama Popoola for her good deed when she was alive, stating that she would be greatly missed.
Music at the reception was supplied by Danesa Integrity Band (DIB) and covered by Apreel1 Events TV. Special Mother in Israel Prohetess, Felicia Oluyemi Popoola nee Jolaoye who was born in 1943 died on January 20, 2024.