By Ayodele Lawal
Tears flowed freely last Friday as the remains of the creator of Feyikogbon TV series, Chief Sunday Akanbi Akinola popularly known as Ayo Magaji or Baba Feyikogbon, were committed to mother earth in his compound located at Maborukoje Street, Ipaja, Ayobo, Lagos.
The burial rites of Baba Feyikogbon had commenced on Thursday January 12, 2023 with a wake, which dovetailed into an artiste night that featured musicians and movie stars including Chief Suleiman Ayilara aka Ajobiewe, Fala, Ajirebi, Yetunde Wunmi, and Ajala Jalingo among others.
On Friday January 13, the burial day, a white coffin that had the body of the late thespian was paraded publicly at Abule Oke, Ipaja and Ayobo areas of Alimosho, with family members, friends and sympathisers mourning amidst dancing and funfare.
A significant point of call was the palace of Balogun of Ipajaland, Chief S.O Akinola, who came out to sympathize with the children of the late theatre legend.
According to Chief Akinola Okanlawon aka Oloriodo of Ipajaland, the tree in front of the Balogun’s compound was where the Feyikogbon drama series were being shot when the programme was running on television several years ago.
After the parade, the body was returned to Feyikogbon’s compound where a funeral service was held by C&S Unification, Ipaja with Bishop S. A Abeh officiating.
While appreciating those that attended the funeral, a daughter of the deceased, Olubukola described his late dad as a man who put smiles on people’s faces, and also mended lots of broken homes. “Thank God that I had him as my dad,” she enthused.
The legendary Baba Feyikogbon hit the limelight in the 1980s through 1990s with his popular weekly sitcom, the Feyikogbon series, which aired on NTA Channel 7 Lagos for over 13 years. The actor died on Monday January 9. He was aged 81.