Late pioneer Director of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Professor Herbert Maurice Adebola Onitiri (OFR) who passed on December 16, 2016 has been committed to mother earth.

The interment which took place at the highbrow Ebony vaults on Alagbon Close, Ikoyi Lagos marked the end of the funeral obsequies.

It all began with a service of songs in the abode of the late professor in Surulere, on Wednesday January 25th 2017 which was hosted by The African Church, Arch Cathedral Bethel Choir, of which the late icon was a great benefactor.

The day after, a Christian wake and Evening of Tributes took place at the Class Event Center, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria premises where distinguished Nigerian including Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chief Philip Asiodu and the deceased God-daughter, Ms. Funke Aboyade (SAN) eulogized the late Professor Onitiri.

The rites culminated in a funeral service at the African Church Arch Cathedral Bethel, along Broad Street, Lagos.

Though a very solemn assembly, the divine enclosure was filled to the brim, spilling into the streets as  the provost of the church mounted the pulpit to give his sermon tagged, “Living the life of eternity with God” in which he eulogized the virtues of the departed guru as someone who lived an exemplary Christian life in love and humility, in spite of his grand status in the society.

He admonished the congregation of the need to have the seed of eternity and the life of God in them in order to see things the godly way and live fruitful and blessed lives.

Prominent personalities present at the service were former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, His Royal Highness, Oba Isotun of Ijesha, former secretary of the Commonwealth of Nations , Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Ambassador Olusola Sani and the first lady of Kwara State, Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed with several professors and other members of the academia also in attendance.

After the funeral service, a long convoy escorted the remains of the late professor for interment. While praying for the departed soul, the officiating minister poured encomium on him for his ideals, virtues and the noble values he represented, admonishing the living to show love and kindness to humanity as life was transient and only one’s deeds of love would stand at the end of life’s journey.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the burial reception held at the Muson Center, Onikan Lagos where guests, arrayed in different attires for the event, were treated to some of the finest in cuisines and drinks while traditional dance and the Icons Music Band ensured everyone was shaking their bodies to the pulsating beats or doing merry bobs with their heads.

Son-in-law to the late scholar and President of DBN,  Mr. Osa Sonny Adun, who was one of the chief coordinators of the event, said his father-in-law was an embodiment of humility and kindness, dedicated to everything he embarked on, adding that, he  would be greatly missed.

Indeed, it was a befitting farewell to a great man.