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Considering the controversies that have trailed Prophet Ireti Ajanaku, founder of the Christ Revival Victory Chapel International (CRVCI) ever since his death on Saturday, August 17th, 2013, it was a given that his funeral on Thursday, July 17th, 2014, would be full of drama, writes TOFARATI IGE.
Prior to the D-Day, his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Joy Ajanaku, had revealed that the date was chosen because of the significant number 7 in the numerical representation of the date, 17/7/2014. She explained that the church address as well as their house address all contained the number 7.
The funeral activities which was slated to begin by 9am, saw a gathering of the late cleric’s devout church members decked in light Blue shirts with the inscription, ‘God of Ajanaku is Alive’ and the picture of the deceased man of God conspicuously displayed in the front.
The drums and trumpets baring Brigade members, who were dressed in white native attire over brown trousers, dished out some solemn tunes, as the people formed a procession and danced round the wet streets, not minding the rain that was dropping in trickles.
When the funeral procession got to the junction that leads to the church, by Ajanaku Bus Stop, the pall bearers from Lotad Funeral home, dressed in dark Blue aso ofi over white native and black shoes, brought out the gleaming white casket from the sparkling white vehicle which had hitherto conveyed it. There were cries of “Ahh…Ajanaku,” especially from the women around as the casket was brought out and lifted up by the pall bearers.
“He has been honoured; don’t cry,” an elderly woman could be heard consoling a young girl who couldn’t hold back tears as her emotions got the better of her.
There was a minor drama as motorists protested the temporary blockage of the road which prevented a free flow of traffic.
“Move the casket into the street and leave the road for us,” an angry motorist was heard saying.
However, this did not dampen the mood, as the procession moved swiftly into the church.
Once inside the church, the service commenced and advanced smoothly.
“We didn’t come here to mourn, but to rejoice,” the Praise and Worship leader enjoined the congregation to dump their gloomy faces and dance with joy for the life of their founder (whom they refuse to describe as ‘late’).
It is worthy of note that some of the members still wore dazed looks, like they couldn’t bring themselves to believe that their late hero is finally gone, but confronted with the shocking reality of Ajanaku’s corpse, they’re left with no choice but to accept that.
There were a lot of testimonies from members of the church, as well as outsiders who told countless stories of how the fierce cleric saved and caused turnaround in every area of their lives.
It was tears galore as the casket was finally opened and guests had the opportunity to behold the cold remains of Ajanaku.
By far the most intense of the cries and mourning, Ajanaku’s wife, Pastor Joy, cut a pitiable sight as she wept and clutched tambourines in her hands while shaking vigorously. At a point, she went on her knees and rolled on the floor in tears. Her two children, Stella and Apoti-Eri Ajanaku, looked on innocently and a bit confused; too young to fully understand what was going on.
Conspicously missing were popular gospel singers such as Tope Alabi, Evang. Bola Are, Shola Allyson, amongst others who were always around the late cleric during his lifetime.
It should be recalled that the late Ajanaku was involved in a messy media war with Tope Alabi shortly before his death last year, where he lashed out at the singer for no longer attending his church along with her husband.
After the church service, guests proceeded to the late cleric’s house where the corpse of the late man of God was interred.
