Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says late Pa Mathias Keyamo deserved to be celebrated as he distinguished himself in both private and public endeavours.
Osinbajo paid his tribute at the funeral of late Pa Keyamo on Saturday in Effurun, Warri, Delta state.
Pa Keyamo, who passed away at the age of 83 on March 5, was the father of Festus Keyamo, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment.
The vice president traced and spoke of his affinity with the Keyamo family.
“Let me begin by saying how honoured I am to be here; to join family and friends to celebrate the life of our beloved father, Pa Keyamo.
”But I must say that I am here also as a member of the family and that has well attested today earlier by our dear mother, Mrs Caroline Keyamo.
“Pa Keyamo, who married our mother, then, Caroline Ogunjobi of Ilaro in Ogun, had clearly established that we are family because my maternal grandparents are from Ilaro of the Adewumi Family.
“So, we are actually cousins and I suspect that it might complicate matters if I were to adopt my cousin, Endurance, as his father.
“So, I will leave my brother in silk, Festus Keyamo, to iron out all the legal details and make a detailed report to me of whether it was possible or not possible.
“But, we celebrate here today a true Nigerian, who was born in Delta, dwelled in Kaduna and got married to a Yoruba woman, Caroline’’, Osinbajo said.
He said it was important to bear in mind that the nature of the nation required the celebration of men and women like late Pa Keyamo and his wife, Caroline.
Osinbajo said the couple went completely outside their own comfort zones and made Nigeria happen in a very distinct way.
“So, we celebrate these two Nigerians and we know that he was also someone who had proved that in public service, you can serve the public;
”You can serve society and distinguish yourself and still be a person who is highly regarded as a person of integrity, a person of honesty and a person of commitment to the nation.
“So, today, we celebrate this excellent Nigerian and I will want to say that just looking at his life, and looking at all of things he managed to achieve; first, he was one of the pioneers of the cooperative societies in Nigeria.
“He was also someone who, by dint of hard work and honesty, became an auditor; one of the first internal auditors in the then Mid-Western government,
“And even after that, he went into private life; and worked as the managing director of the Olori Group of Companies and distinguished himself there as well.
He said that late Pa Keyamo and his wife, Caroline, deserved to be celebrated in every possible way.
According to him, the legacy of great people, of great men and women does not need any elaboration as it was very evident from even their children and grandchildren.
“And we have seen and heard today from his children; we have heard from his grandchildren; and we know that all of them, in public and private life, have distinguished themselves.
“And we know that he has always, himself, all through his life, demonstrated what it was exactly what he wants his family to be like after him and his children have proved that.’’
The vice president, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari and the government and people of Nigeria, expressed his deep condolences to the Keyamo family, the governor and people of Delta over the passing of Pa Keyamo.
He prayed God to comfort Caroline Keyamo and all members of the family.
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege and Chief of Staff to President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari also graced the event.
Members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, ex-governors, traditional rulers, among others. also attended ceremony.
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