The town of Otun Ekiti in Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State stood still as one of its most famous sons, Nollywood actor and filmmaker Odunlade Adekola, returned home to lead the final burial rites of his late father, Pastor N. A. Adekola.
A Week of Mourning and Celebration of Life
The burial programme was spread across several days and locations, reflecting the family’s ties to both Abeokuta and Otun Ekiti.
•August 18: The ceremonies opened with a Service of Songs in Abeokuta, where Pastor Adekola had lived for much of his life.
•August 20: Activities shifted to Otun Ekiti with a Christian wake-keep and lying-in-state attended by relatives, friends, church members, and townspeople.
•August 21: The interment and thanksgiving service took place in Otun Ekiti, followed by a community reception.
•August 23: Events concluded back in Abeokuta with another reception for well-wishers who could not travel to Ekiti.
A Homecoming Rooted in Tradition
Despite his upbringing in Abeokuta, Odunlade Adekola remains a proud son of Otun Ekiti. In line with tradition, he and his siblings first paid a condolence visit to the palace of the Oore of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeayo Adeagbo, the paramount ruler of Mobaland. The palace homage underscored the importance of custom in community life and the respect owed to the traditional institution.
A Procession that Drew Crowds
Footage from the burial showed streets lined with residents who came out to honor Pastor Adekola. Hymns, prayers, and processions filled the town as the coffin was carried for the lying-in-state. The atmosphere mixed the solemnity of mourning with the celebratory tone of a life well lived.
Nollywood Stars Stand in Solidarity
The ceremonies also became a gathering of Nollywood stars, as Odunlade’s colleagues travelled down to Ekiti to support him. Ibrahim Chatta, Eniola Ajao, Muyiwa Ademola, Lola Alao, and others were seen at the wake and interment, standing by the actor and his family. Their presence highlighted the bond within the Yoruba film industry and the respect Odunlade commands among his peers.
A Father Remembered, A Son Honored
Pastor N. A. Adekola’s passing had earlier been announced by the family, drawing condolences from across Nigeria. His son’s prominence in Nollywood meant the ceremonies were followed not only by locals but also by fans of the actor worldwide.
Odunlade Adekola, founder of Odunlade Adekola Film Production, is celebrated for his leading roles in Yoruba-language cinema and wider Nollywood productions. His return to Otun Ekiti for his father’s final rites was not only a family duty but also a symbolic reconnection with his roots.
Closing Note
The week-long burial rites of Pastor N. A. Adekola blended faith, culture, and community. For Otun Ekiti, it was a moment of history, as the town hosted one of Nigeria’s most recognizable actors in a deeply personal yet widely public farewell to his father.
