Family, friends, colleagues and business partners on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th of September gathered to pay their last respects to the late Chief Dr. (Mrs) Leila Euphemia Apinke Fowler in a Christian Wake Service held at The Trinity Church Oniru, while the funeral service was held at The All Saints Anglican Church, Yaba all in Lagos State.
The Rt. Revd. Babatunde Akinpelu Johnson-Bishop of Diocese of Lagos Mainland in The Anglican Communion and Ven. Olujimi Ebiesuwa led the team of priests who officiated at the Christian wake service that attracted the high and mighty in the society, both far and near despite the heavy downpour in Lagos.
During the night of tribute The children gave beautiful testimonies of how the late educationist touched their lives in an impactful way.
Her daughter-Irene Fowler in her tribute to the matriarch went down memory lane to explain how much her mother touched so many lives- beginning from the working class proletariat, to the upper class bourgeois.
According to her, Mama was an enigma of hope for the hopelessness, especially in the way she tutored and helped them to become great in life.
Babatunde Fowler and his wife-(Rosemary) penned a great tribute to the late icon.
The Former Federal Inland Revenue Service Boss was nostalgic about his relationship with his late mother.
Also, Funke Amba with her children- Mayowa, Solomon and Anwana B gave glowing tributes of Mama, with special emphasis on the bond between them.
In the same vein, her grand daughter Leila Olufunke Aig-Imoukhuede and her husband Aig-Imoukhuede, grand sons-Femi and Lanre Fowler all gave beautiful testimonies about the relationship they had with the late educationist-Chief Dr. (Mrs) Leila Euphemia Fowler.
During the exhortation, The Senior Pastor of The Trinity Church, Pastor Itua Ighodalo while encouraging people to emulate the legacy of family and service that Chief (Dr) Mrs Leila Fowler Left behind, he enjoined everyone present to live a good life so that when the time for their departure comes, it will be to the The Glory of God.
At the funeral service held at The All Saints Anglican Church Diocese of Lagos Mainland, where Bishop Babatunde Akinpelu Johnson presided over, different caliber of people from all walks life were in attendance to celebrate the legacy of the late Chief (Dr.) Mrs Leila Euphemia Apinke Fowler.
Bishop Johnson in his preaching, eulogized the the iconic attributes of mama.
Roll call of people at the event included: Fmr. Vice President of Nigeria-Professor Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Alhaja (Chief, Mrs) Gbajabiamila, Fmr. Governor of Ogun State-Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Representing Ogun West-Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), Senator Representing Lagos West Senatorial District-Senator Oluranti Idiat Adebule, MD, Nigerian Railway Corporation-Dr. Kayode Opeifa and Chairman of The Nigerian Bar Association-Olumide Apata.
Others were: Senator Representing Lagos East Senatorial District-Tokunbo Abiru, Barrister Mrs Ebunola Ayo, Jokotade Adeusi, Barrister Omolara Alakija, Barrister Mrs Adenike Sode, Olusoga Adedoyin, Aramide Dosunmu, Mrs Yinka Taiwo, Otunba Muyiwa Ojo, Honorable Ganiat Alli-Balogun (Alias Madam TUSSAUDS), Professor Kayode Adegboyega, Sir Olu Okeowo and his wife, Mrs Wyse, Ifunanya Aniekwe, Kemi Adamu, Wives of the clergy from the Lagos Mainland of The Anglican Communion including Mrs Iyabo Akinpelu Johnson, Engineer Mrs Ezekiel Oluwadare, Chaplain of Chapel of Christ The Light-Pastor Taiwo and his Wife, Lorraine Nzimin, Mr. and Mrs Jemisun, Agbeke Ogunleye, Odusoga Adedoyin, Kemi Adamu, Mr and Mrs Oluwatoyin Balogun and Mrs Bola Fashola among others.
After the interment of the late matriarch, reception and entertainment of guests of the Fowler family was held at The Harbour Point Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos with lots of food, drinks and gifts for everyone.
Recall that the late matriarch was the founder of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, a private secondary school situated in Oregun-Ikeja that has become a reference point for the girl-child education.
Similarly, Chief Dr. (Mrs) Leila Fowler was the Proprietress of Topgrade Secondary School in Surulere-a private initiative with the purpose of giving boys and girls a chance to achieve their dreams in life.
She also established a tertiary institution-Hallmark University in Ijebu-Itele Ogun State, which was licensed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to operate as a private university.
