MEMBERS OF the Nigerian community in Dublin have turned out to bid farewell to the taxi driver killed in the capital last month.
The funeral service for Moses Babatunde Adegbite Ayanwole was held at the Christ Ambassador Christian Centre Miracle Arena in Glasnevin.
Mr Ayanwole (41), from Clonsilla, Dublin, died on November 23rd after being assaulted three days earlier on Pearse Street. On Saturday, his wife Olusola Ayanwole and 12-year-old son Joshua were joined by family and friends, some of whom had travelled from Nigeria.
The service, described as a “celebration of life”, began with a traditional hymn O Lord my God. Screens mounted on the walls showed images of Mr Ayanwole in cap and gown on the day he graduated from university.
The words of the hymns were also projected as well as images from the service, which was filmed throughout.
Pastor Lawrence Oyetunji told the congregation that in the last six months of his life, Mr Ayanwole had become a much more active participant in the church.
He said he did not know what had brought about the change, but Mr Ayanwole had been “everywhere” offering his help. He had attended the pastor’s office with “all manner of ideas” to assist the church. The pastor said he had known Mr Ayanwole for over 12 years. “In that 12 years I’ve never heard this man argue with anybody; no argument, no quarrel, no fight,” he said.
“As far as I am concerned I’ve never heard anything negative about him.”
Prayers were said for his widow and their son, and for family and colleagues of Mr Ayanwole, as well as for his mother, who was unable to travel from Nigeria.
In the funeral service programme, Mr Ayanwole was described as “a rare and affable gem”, and a “gentleman of great repute,” who was “well spoken of and loved within the Christian community” .
He was also “a soft-spoken gentleman with a heart full of compassion, grace and love” as well as “a devoted, diligent and committed member of the church”.
In a personal tribute Deacon Michael Agbetuyi said Mr Ayanwole was “a beloved brother and the best colleague”.
“The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories which we have all witnessed is a testimony to the very fact Moses Ayanwole touched many lives,” he said.
After the service, the coffin, which had remained outside throughout, was lifted into the hearse and followed by more than 20 taxis as well as cars carrying family and friends of the deceased, and members of Residents Against Racism.
Burial took place at Mulhuddart cemetery.
