Funmilayo Eso-William: The Good Lady Departs

By Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

I received with a heavy heart and much sadness the report of the passage of Mrs Funmilayo Eso-William. She was 65 years old.

Mrs Williams was the scion of the eminent jurist, Justice Kayode Eso, who retired from the Supreme Court and became noted for judicial activism and excellent prose in the rendition of law. 

She was also a member of my cabinet where she served as Special Adviser for Women Affairs and Social Welfare in my first term.

Mrs Williams Studied at the University of London and University of Lagos and qualified as an attorney. She worked at the defunct Afribank for 23 years before retiring to manage the International Group of Schools in Ibadan, from where we tapped her to serve her state.

She brought her good education and wealth of experience in the private sector to bear on her assignment while in Osun. She was very hardworking and excelled in the job, leaving an impressionable legacy.

She was a very pleasant person, kind and considerate. I enjoyed working with her. She served with honour, dignity and integrity. 

She is survived by her aged mother, Madam Helen Aina Eso, and her brother, Olumide Eso.

It is my sincere prayer that God will comfort the Eso and Williams families, her friends, students and staff of International Group of Schools, Ibadan and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

May she find bliss at her next station. Ameen.