The entire occupants of Ekiti state were amazed when the passing away of Deputy Gov. Mrs, Funmilayo Aduni Olayinka, was announced in the state on that faithful evening of Saturday April 6. Although many of the people were aware she was sick and that she took two weeks earlier but nobody ever thought of death to her, but all believe all is going to be well, but she eventually lost the fight to breast cancer despite her struggles for survival.
Olayinka's death at that her age (52) when she passed away, brought a moody emotion to the state and grief was shared among the people in the state.

The late deputy governor who was fondly referred to as Moremi by members of the Action Congress of Nigeria because of the role she played during the struggles which led to the retrieval of what is described as a stolen mandate from the ousted administration of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Mr. Segun Oni.

Olayinka, who returned to Nigeria after studying at the USA started her banking career with First Bank in 1986 and her last role in the banking sector was at ECOBANK where she was the Head, Corporate Services. She entered into politics in 2007 when she was nominated as the running mate to Dr. Kayode Fayemi on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria. While working at the United Bank for Africa, Olayinka was said to have influenced the establishment of a branch of the bank in Ado Ekiti, her hometown.

Her roles in the struggles which culminated in the eventual declaration of Fayemi as the winner of the 2007 governorship election was highly remarkable. She was always at the forefront of protests by members of the party which they were known for.

She was a woman of courage and she had great faith which made her a source of encouragement to members of the party especially whenever they were distressed. And these times of distress came on many occasions when Election Petitions Tribunals dismissed their case.

She was described as a bastion of hope for members of the party during the struggle. Olayinka was always there to encourage party members including Mrs. Bisi Fayemi and other leaders who were not very strong emotionally.

Olayinka, who was said to have been suffering from breast cancer since 2002 did not resign to fate expecting death like many would do.

The Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria in Ekiti State, Chief Jide Awe, described Olayinka as a courageous woman who fought cancer without allowing many to know what pain she was going through. He said that each time Olayinka returned from her treatment abroad, her next port of call would be Ekiti State and her next assignment would be on the rostrum to campaign.

The state witnessed an influx of personalities coming to commiserate with the governor and the parents of the deceased. Among sympathisers who thronged the state are; Governors of Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ogun, Abiola Ajimobi, Olusegun Mimiko. Rauf Aregbesola and Ibikunle Amosun respectively. Former Presidential Candidates, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, ex-Secretary General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shetima were among hordes of other sympathisers.

The former secretary-general of the Commonwealth during his visit to Fayemi said that Fayemi was right to liken the death of his deputy to the death of a co-pilot during a flight. He said, “ I am here to pay my condolences to you and the people of the state on the tragic loss of your deputy. I read in some papers where you likened her death to the death of a co-pilot mid-air. You are right.”Read more on www.gistmode.com