Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
FAMILY members, friends, church members and well-wishers gathered in Ibadan on Wednesday for the wake of late Mrs Morin Iyabo Quadri, who passed at the age of 74.
The wake, laced with intermittent hymns and soul-searching renditions from the church’s choir, was held at Post Housing Scheme One Estate, B16, Eleyele, Ibadan, in accordance with the funeral arrangements earlier announced by the family.
Mrs Quadri, who was described as a woman of faith, passed on 24 August 2026 after 74 years of an eventful life.
During the service, Rev. Father Paul Asawale of the St Richard’s Catholic Church, Eleyele, Idi-Isin, Ibadan, based his sermon on the Gospel of John 14:1-4, in which Jesus tells His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled and speaks of His Father’s house having many rooms.
The priest told mourners that the significance of a wake was not to “wake up” the deceased, but to remind the living of their own mortality and relationship with God.
“The wake is for me and for you. It is not to wake her up — she has gone to rest. We are the ones who must wake up,” Father Asawale said.
He urged those present to examine their lives and prepare for the day they would also depart this world.
“We can still wake up. Wake up to gain your inheritance when your time comes,” he added.
Father Asawale also paid tribute to Mrs Quadri’s husband, Baba Quadri, a Muslim and retired military officer, for allowing his late wife to practise her Catholic faith throughout their marriage.
He described the couple’s relationship as an example of religious tolerance and urged Nigerians to emulate such mutual respect between people of different faiths.
“Baba is a Muslim, yet he allowed mama to practise her faith. This is what should be emulated. I appreciate Muslims like this,” the priest said.
He recalled the example of a man identified as Baba Arulogun, who was a former commissioner in Oyo State, whom, he said, used to take his wife to church every Sunday, wait for her in his car during the service and take her home afterwards.
The priest also referred to the religious disturbances associated with the Maitatsine crisis in northern Nigeria, using the example to stress that no one should resort to violence because of religious differences.
“We are all going back to our Maker. Nobody should be killing others over religion,” he said.
Father Asawale said Mrs Quadri died in full communion with the Catholic Church and again commended her husband for respecting her religious convictions.
Reflecting on the deceased’s 74 years, the priest described her death as a return to her Maker rather than an occasion for despair.
“It is God that gives years. Mrs Quadri has gone to rest at 74. We are celebrating her today. She clocked over 70,” he said, drawing laughter from mourners with his humorous observation that “above 70 is being strong; above 80 is being stubborn”.
He concluded his message with a question directed at the congregation:
“Are you at peace with God and with the people around you?”
According to the funeral announcement, the burial ceremony will take place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at St Richard’s Catholic Church, Ibadan, at 10:00am, with a reception immediately afterwards at Ashers Event Place, Jericho, Ibadan.
Mrs Quadri is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, inlaws, including South South Correspondent of Lagos-based Galaxy Television, Dele Fasan, and other members of her family.
The family, in announcing the funeral rites, described the occasion as a celebration of a life well spent and prayed that her soul would rest in perfect peace.
Meanwhile, giving a vote of thanks and announcement at the wake, first son of the deceased, Mr Tope Quadri, appreciate the huge attendance of well wishers, saying it was a sign that his mom served God well and was loved.
