Family members, friends, colleagues, business partners, top government functionaries and well wishers gathered together on Thursday, the 5th of February at The Eko Hotel Convention Center, Victoria Island- Lagos; for the 8th day fidau prayers for the late patriarch of The Ojora Royal Family of Lagos-H.R.M. The Otunba Adekunle Ojora OFR, FNIPR, JP, FSO, Commendatore della Republica Italiana, Otunba of Lagos and Lisa of Ife; who passed to the great beyond on the 28th of January, 2026 aged 93 years.
People from different walks of life came in their droves to pay their last respects and tributes to this great icon of journalism.
The first phase was the 8th day fidau prayers where Islamic clerics drawn from different backgrounds presided over the ceremony.
While they eulogized his style of leadership without noise and generosity without announcement, they harped on the need for man to understand that he was made from the earth and will return to it someday because, life is transient.
Tributes were equally poured in from different cultures as he lived a life of deep purpose and enduring consequence, before he returned to his creator; with a legacy that spanned generations, institutions and nations.
The second phase of the ceremony was the celebration of life where guests were entertained with sumptuous food, while King Sunny Ade was live on the stage, to thrill them with his melody.
Among those who attended the celebration was his family members beginning with his delectable wife -Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, Former Senate President-H. E Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Wife H. E. The Princess Royal of The Ijora Kindom and Iganmu Lands, Erelu Bobajiro of Iru Land and Yon Sabuke of Kaiama Kingdom-Toyin Ojora Saraki and their children, all the Ojora family lineage present, members of the Adele Royal Family of Lagos, Fmr. Minister of Transport and one time Minister of State for Mines & Steel Development, who was also the Fmr. Senator Representing Kwara Central Senatorial District-Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, The British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria-Mr. Johny Baxter, Chief Luqman Owolabi Alapafuja, Dr. Mrs Awosika, OON, MFR, MRI, Alhaja Elejika, Mr. Faruk, The Prelate and Metropolitan Senior Pastor of the House on the Rock church headquartered in Lagos and The Convener and Host of The Annual Experience (gospel concert)-Pastor Paul Adefarasin and Wife, Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin with their lovely children, Chief Wale Babalakin, Barrister Tokunbo Iyamu, Mobola Sulaiman, Tara Ayodeji, Teniola Saraki, Yinka Balogun, Femi Young, Ore Daudu , Senator Ibikunle Amosun, The Deputy Governor of Lagos State-Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, Ego Boyo and The Nigerian businesswoman who is the founder and CEO of Bolmus Group International, a conglomerate with holdings in real estate, oil and gas, banking and photography as well as a fashion enthusiast-Hajia Bola Shagaya.
Others were: The oil magnate and President of Greg Continental Agency (GCA) Energy Limited- Greg Uanseru, The founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando PLC, a leading indigenous integrated energy group in Sub-Saharan Africa-Adewale Tinubu, The Matriarch of The Luxury Textile Industry in Africa who is also a formidable Matriarch of The Nigerian Social Establishment- Chief Mrs Modupeore Sagoe, Wole Adeshina, The Nigerian journalist and politician who served twice as governor of Ogun State-Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Bimpe Fagbola, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Baale Bode Thomas, Mr. Olukayode, members of the diplomatic corps, top government functionaries, captains of industries and numerous well wishers came to give their last respects to this great icon of Nigeria, who has made immense contributions to both the private and public sectors.
The late global Icon who was born on the 13th of June, 1932 into the distinguished Ojora and Oba Adele Ajosun Royal Families and Aiyeomosan Chieftancy Family of Lagos was educated in journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic-London before he began his professional career in the early 1950s at The British Broadcasting Corporation, where he rose to the position of Assistant Editor before he returned to Nigeria to join The Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation as a reporter.
His early grounding in public communication and national service became the foundation upon which his later leadership was built.
The late H.R.H. Otunba Adekunle Ojora who has since been buried according to Islamic Rites, was married to his beautiful wife-Erelu Ojuolape Ojora with whom he had four children-Gbegi, Dapo, H.E Mrs Toyin Saraki and Adeyinka Ojora.
Adieu Otunba! May God grant his soul eternal rest-Ameen!!
