Tributes, emotions flow freely at service of songs for Senator Gbenga Aluko in Abuja; interment on Thursday in Ode-Ekiti  

Family, friends and political associates converged on Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Diocese of Abuja Cathedral Church of the Advent at Life Camp, on Tuesday night for a service of songs for the late Senator Gbenga Aluko.

Tributes and emotions flowed freely all through the service, which opened with a Hymn: “The Lord’s my Shepherd” and closed with: “God be with you till we meet again”. In between, seven other hymns were sung.

The service of songs, which recorded a huge attendance, was the first of a two-pronged funeral ceremony for the late Aluko who slumped in his office in Abuja on November 20, 2021 and rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead at the aged of 58.

The second leg is the burial in his home town, Ode-Ekiti on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 12 noon.  The interment will hold after a burial service at St Mary’s Anglican Church, Ode-Ekiti.
Tributes have come forth from a former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, a former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and former Ekiti State Governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and Ireti Kingibe, among others.

Donal Duke said that “the last couple of years have totally demystified death.  But Gbenga’s is cutting it too close.  A part of us is gone from this sphere.  He certainly  made life richer for all who crossed his path and his departure leaves us poorer.  Onari and I pray you, the children, his siblings and we his friends be granted the strength to bear this truly irreplaceable loss.  He was such a STAR! For the 47 years I knew him, he was a brother as close as biological sibling.  May his path be infinitely blessed.”

Professor Tunde Adeniran said: “Gbenga, it is no longer a dream but a reality. You have departed by jumping our imaginary queue! It is painful looking back and not seeing you. But we are consoled that you distinguished yourself and played commendable roles at home in Ekiti and at the national theater of actions.  It is consoling too that the amazing twosome of Daddy Sam and Mummy Joyce Aluko already joined the Saints Triumphant before now. May the Angels welcome you into the abode of those favoured with peace in eternity.  And may your generation and those following you in Ode-Ekiti and Nigeria be blessed by the lessons from your life and career.”

Governor Dapo Abiodun said in part that the passage of Senator Gbenga Aluko was particularly heart-rending and “brings closer home our mortality.”
He added: “His contributions to the polity and overall development of our nation are exemplary and will continue to be remembered.”

According to Abiodun, “With his passing, therefore, our Nation has lost an illustrious son and a brilliant politician, the business world has been deprived of a major player and the Aluko family has lost a scion, a caring husband and a loving father.”

Otunba Adebayo said: “The death of Senator Gbenga Aluko was like a thunderbolt that hit me and the entire political landscape of Ekiti State, leaving behind many unanswered questions. Gbenga, a scion of the famous Professor Sam Aluko of Ode-Ekiti, was a brother, fried and political associate who shared similar sentiments with me on the development of our dear State, and would do everything within his ability to help move the state forward.”

He described the late Gbenga Aluko as a patriot who was unwavering in his commitment to the Ekiti project, adding that “this accounted for our close working relationship during my tenure as the governor of Ekiti State, despite the fact that were elected on different political platforms.

“His political sagacity stood him out in 1999 when against the political tide in the Southwest, he got elected as the only opposition Senator from the zone.

“Outside politics, he was a sports enthusiast who was a father to two international footballers who ply their trade in Europe.  Gbenga will be sorely missed by the people of Ode-Ekiti, his friends, political associates, siblings and his immediate family.”

Ireti Kingibe said in part that Gbenga Aluko was a friend, brother and confidant, who was kind, reliable, dependable, dynamic (constantly moving and finding solutions to everything), caring and so witty and humorous.