All plans to hold a befitting burial for the late prominent Ibadanman, agronomist and businessman, Dr Lalekan Are have been concluded and they are being jump-started by the Engineer Seyi Makinde-led government in Oyo State on Monday.
According to a programme of events released by the family, a seminar titled, ‘Life of an icon,’ will hold around 10am at the Emeritus Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital, Ibadan, in honour of the late Punch director.
The family said the occasion, sponsored by the Oyo State Government, would be graced by Governor Seyi Makinde, members of his cabinet, members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, officials of the state government, family of the deceased, members of the Olubadan-in-Council, captains of industry and well-wishers.
On Tuesday, there will be an ‘evening of tributes’ between 3pm and 5.30pm at the University Press Limited, Jericho, Ibadan, where the late Lagunna Bobajiroro of Ibadan was the chairman for many years.
The programme added that on Wednesday, a commendation service for the late Are would hold between 10.30am and noon at the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority headquarters, Alabata, Abeokuta.
In Ibadan, on Wednesday, a joint service of songs and tributes would be held by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Ibadan Foundation, and the Oluyole Club of Ibadan at Ibadan House, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, between 3pm and 5pm.
The family said the lying-in-state would take place on Thursday at the Allied Hall, Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Ring Road, Ibadan, between 1pm and 2.45pm.
It added that a Christian wake would follow between 3pm and 4.30pm at the Lekan Are Hall, Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre.
Between 6pm and 8.30pm, an evening of celebration and tributes, organised by the Government College Ibadan Old Boys’ Association and friends, would hold at the Lalekan Are Hall, Government College Ibadan.
The programme stated further that on Friday, a procession would gather at the Lalekan Are Hall, Government College, Apata, Ibadan, at 7am.
It added that cortège would depart GCI at 7.45am with the procession passing through Oke Are family house through the Aboderin family house, Kudeti, to Lalekan Are Computer Centre, Kudeti.
Burial service would hold at 11am at the Cathedral Church of Saint David, Kudeti, Ibadan, with interment on the church premises immediately after.
The family added that reception would follow at the Lekan Are Hall, Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre after interment.
Born on December 2, 1933, Are, who was the pioneer General Manager of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, died on January 18.
He was the Chairman of Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre; Managing Director, Lekan Are Farms Limited and a director of Punch Nigeria Limited.
He was, until his death, the Laguna Bobajiro of Ibadanland.
He was an old boy of GCI and a major shareholder at the University Press Plc.
He was also a former director at Wema Bank Plc.
