As the family of the late daughter of the Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Iyetade, release her burial programme, more facts have emerged about her personality.
While she was a very religious person, she was also a poet like her father.
Indeed, her first volume of poetry was due for release last December, the same month she passed away.
A statement signed by one of Iyetade’s brothers, Olaokun, indicates, “Yetade was a poet and performing artiste who embraced the interior shores of life with an unusual depth of perception, courage and understanding. Her volume of poetry, Stars, Fill My Skies was scheduled for release at the end of 2013.
“Through her encounter with her Lord Jesus Christ while in school, she opened the gates for others in the family and friends to encounter the grace of God.
“Iyetade cared deeply and generously for those shunned by society. She scorned the vain, discarded hypocrisies, rejected the limelight and sought to live a life of depth and truth. She fought fiercely for those she loved and she touched our lives with her heart, her incredibly creative mind, her dreams and her wit.
The burial programme will begin with a service of songs on Thursday.
Iyetade died after a brief illness at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, on Saturday, December 28, 2013. The service of songs wiill hold at PentonRise, Atinuke Hall (former Palm Chemist), Oshuntokun Avenue, opposite Housing Corporation, Old Bodija, Ibadan.
The statement adds, “She will be laid to rest on Friday January 10, in Ibadan, after the funeral service at the Chapel of Resurrection, University of Ibadan at 11am.”
Yetade was born on June 6, 1965. She attended the Staff School, U.I, and Queens School, Ibadan. She commenced her studies at the University of Ibadan, but eventually moved to England where she chose to leave the sciences altogether and explore the world of theatre arts, culture and writing.
Following her return to Nigeria, she spent the last decade in Ibadan, raising her two children.
“Now, she has been ushered first into the presence of God.
“We love her beyond expression, miss her beyond imagination, and we are forever thankful that she shared these 48 years of her life’s sojourn with us.
“Rest now our own beloved Iyetade.”