Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
IT was a gathering of prominent media personalities and accomplished pen pushers from Delta State in the ancient city of Ibadan on Thursday, as South-South Correspondent of Galaxy Television, Lagos, Dele Fasan, buried his mother-in-law, Mrs Morin Iyabo Quadri, in an elaborate ceremony attended by family members, friends, colleagues and associates.
The burial brought together an array of journalists and media practitioners, particularly from Delta State, who travelled to Ibadan to identify with Fasan and his family at a moment of grief and celebration of the life of the deceased.
Among the notable personalities at the ceremony were the Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor, Sir Festus Ahon; veteran journalist and media guru, Asiwaju Sola Adebayo; and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe.
Also in attendance were the Publisher of The Empire Newspaper, Comrade Dennis Otu; The Sun Correspondent, Comrade Ben Dunno; ThisDay Correspondent, Sylvester Idowu; ITV Benin Correspondent, Elder Gbenga Ahmed; ThisDay’s Segun James; Prince Pere Botu; Niger Delta Today Managing Editor, Okpare Theophilus Onojeghen; and Ms Ruth Omigie.
The gathering also attracted The Punch Correspondent, Elder Dele Ogunyemi, as well as the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Stonix News, Crimes Chroniclers and Naijaspora News, Ebenezer Adurokiya, who attended the ceremony with his daughter, Sharon.
The funeral rites commenced on Wednesday evening with a Wake held at the deceased’s residence in Jericho, Ibadan.
The Wake provided an opportunity for relatives, friends, members of the clergy, colleagues and well-wishers to pay their final respects to Mrs Quadri and share memories of her life and times.
On Thursday morning, the funeral Mass commenced at about 10:00 a.m. at St Richard’s Catholic Church, Eleyele, Idi-Isin, Ibadan.
The Mass featured prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased, with the clergy and congregation also offering thanksgiving to God for a life described by family and friends as one devoted to God, family and humanity.
Glowing tributes were paid to Mrs Quadri during the Mass, with speakers reflecting on her character, values and contributions to the lives of those around her.
The tributes, which came from both the clergy and the laity, painted a picture of a woman whose life left lasting impressions on her family, friends and community.
Following the church service, family members, friends and guests proceeded to Ashers Event Place in Jericho for the reception, which commenced at about 2:00 p.m.
The reception combined the solemnity of farewell with the warmth of celebrating a life that had touched many people.
Guests were treated to sumptuous meals, while a live stage performance provided a mixture of past and contemporary musical vibes, creating an atmosphere of fellowship and celebration.
Although Mrs Quadri died on August 24, 2026, at the age of 74, memories of her life and the impact she made continued to resonate throughout the funeral ceremonies.
For the family, the gathering was not only an occasion to mourn a beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and friend, but also an opportunity to celebrate the values and memories she left behind.
The presence of the large number of journalists and other dignitaries, particularly from Delta State, also underscored the strong professional and personal relationships built by Fasan over the years.
The Ibadan ceremony therefore served as both a solemn farewell to Mrs Quadri and a gathering of colleagues, friends and associates who came together to stand with the bereaved family in their moment of loss.
