MINNA, Nigeria – In a somber ceremony marked by tears and heartfelt tributes, Dr. Mrs. Funmilola Adefolalu, a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Niger State, was laid to rest on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
Dr. Adefolalu’s tragic murder at her Gbaiko residence in the Bosso suburb of Minna has sent shockwaves through the community and beyond.
The late lecturer, who was murdered three weeks ago by her assailants, including a former housemaid, has left a profound void in the hearts of her colleagues, students, family, and friends.
The 14-year-old suspect was apprehended by the Niger Police Command a week after the incident, revealing a chilling conspiracy to attack Dr. Adefolalu.
The funeral service, held at the Voice of Mercy Ministry in Minna, saw an outpouring of grief and admiration for Dr. Adefolalu. Colleagues from the university, including the Head of the Biochemistry Department, shared their memories and extolled her virtues, highlighting her imminent promotion to professorship that was in process just three days before her untimely death.
Described as honest, faithful, and principled, Dr. Adefolalu’s commitment to her work and her department was evident. The HOD lamented the loss of a dedicated and hardworking colleague, acknowledging the significant gap her passing has left.
Family members, including her son-in-law, Adegboyega Odogiyon, spoke of Dr. Adefolalu’s strong Christian faith and her impact on their lives. “Boisterous, unrelenting, steadfast in the work of God,” Odogiyon reminisced, finding solace in her spiritual legacy.
Her childhood friend and chief bridesmaid at her wedding, Mrs. Abigail, remembered Dr. Adefolalu as a beautiful soul, both inside and out. She reminisced about her friend’s humility, love for God, and peacemaking nature, expressing her shock and sorrow over the loss.
Reverend Ojo Peters, the Senior Pastor of the Voice of Mercy Ministry, expressed his personal loss, describing Dr. Adefolalu as a warrior and a labourer in the vineyard.
In a defiant message against the evil act that claimed her life, he vowed to honor her memory by intensifying efforts to win souls for Christ.
As the community grapples with the brutal loss, the legacy of Dr. Funmilola Adefolalu as an educator, a woman of faith, and a cherished member of the community stands as a testament to her life and the profound impact she had on those around her.
