Wale JAGUN
In an effort to provide for the inadequacies associated with the management of cemeteries in Ikorodu Division and Lagos State as a whole, Heaven’s Forecourt, a private and world-class cemetery with state-of-the-art-facilities to bury the dead has been commissioned in Imota.
The cemetery, which is a partnership between Heavens Forecourt and Imota Local Council Development Area (LCDA) , was commissioned on Wednesday, August 28, 2019.
Hon. Wasiu Agoro, the Chairman, Imota LCDA , commissioned the facility and was officially opened for public use on same day.
Among the facilities that made Heaven’s Forecourt Cemetery (HFC) a word-class place to bury loved ones are availability of CCTV cameras that run for 24hours, serenity of the environment that depicts solemnity, dedicated staff members that accord patrons warm welcome and vaults of various sizes and types.
There are also vaults for Muslims and Christians. While Firdaws Court is reserved for Muslims, Grace Court is dedicated for the Christians. There are also Royal Court for the royal class and Mercy Court for the exclusives.
According to the management, the private cemetery was established to provide serene, secured and affordable final resting place for the dead.
According to Mr Kola Egbedokun, the Operations Manager, Heaven’s Forecourt , he stated that the private cemetery was established to give departed loved ones befitting final resting home.
“Heaven’s Forecourt (HFC) is a product of a strategic alliance with Imota Local Council. It’s borne out of the concern for how the remains of our departed loved ones are treated.
“After an exhaustive survey of cemeteries in Lagos state, Heaven’s Forecourt realized that most of our cemeteries leave a lot to be desired. Instead of joining the critics, it decided to partner with the government to erect a highly befitting structure that will serve the community.
“Heaven’s Forecourt is a blessed, serene, secure, alluring, and affordable final resting place for the remains of our departed loved ones. It’s open to everybody.
Hon. Wasiu Agoro, the Chairman, Imota LCDA , expressed his delight at the project which he said started in 2015 and expressed confidence that the cemetery would change the way the public care for the dead.
He stated that the idea of the cemetery was encouraged because of people’s desire to bury their loved ones in special ways.
He stated that the cemetery is a part of his government’s initiative to encourage private businesses while enjoining investors to come to Imota ,adding that the council still has space and very friendly environment as sites for their businesses.
Hon. Agoro, who also stated that there is similar project at Lekki , revealed that the council decided to partner with Heaven’s Forecourt to provide a final resting place for the dead since people are yearning for conducive environment to preserve their loved ones.
He regarded the cemetery as a world-class with adequate facilities.
“This is a world-class cemetery in every respect of it. We gave them all the support in order to actually achieve the project since our people are yearning for a better resting place to bury their dead.
“Burying a loved one in a private cemetery doesn’t come cheap and the council should be able to make a profit out of it but we have put in place measures that would make the facility affordable for our people. This is not just for the Imota community but also for others that are willing to use the place.
Very Rev. Sunday Oluwole Adegbola, the Presbyter, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ita Elewa, Ikorodu, who spoke from the Christianity perspective of burying dead , stated that it is against the Christians’ belief to cremate the dead.
He added that burial at cemetery is the only method recognized by the Bible.
While commending the initiative of Heaven’s Forecourt, Rev. Adegbola stated that the Bible only supported interment as a form of burying the dead.
“Burial through interment is a method of final dispensation where a dead person is placed into the ground and sometimes with an object that might be a coffin, casket or cloths. It is a shameful thing for an animal to feast on a dead body, the bible forbids this which means after death, a burial rite or funeral should be prepared to bury the dead”.
He emphasized his religious belief with a Yoruba philosophy that states that burial provides cover for the secret of the dead.
“Yoruba believe that the best way to cover the secret of the dead is to bury it. What Ecclesiastes 6:3 states in this context is that no matter how old a person might be on earth, if that person doesn’t find goodness and get buried , then a stillborn is ,therefore, better than the person”.
He called for proper burial and care for the remains of the dead people in the society.
Alhaji Musbaudeen Olawale Muali, the Zonal Missionary, NASFAT, Lagos Zone 1, in his own remarks, also commended the initiative and offered prayers.
Also speaking with THE IMPACT, Otunba Olasunkanmi Tijani, former Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA , stated that , “I’m highly impressed with the project and I’m certain that when I grow old and die , there will be a befitting place for me to rest, and with this , I am sure people will have a rethink about where to bury their loved ones and patronize Heaven’s Forecourt”.
Among other dignitaries that graced the commissioning of the private cemetery were Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun, first Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Hon. Adeola Adebisi Banjo, Executive Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Adeola Jokomba, former Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Prince Tajudeen Adekoya, Chairman, Admos Hotel, Imota, Elder Omolara Shobajo, Proprietor, Lara Narroway, Alhaji Sefiudeen Oloworibi, Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Superior Evangelist Sunday Elebiyo, CCC Opopo-Ona Iwa Mimo Parish, Igbo-Olomu Ikorodu, Otunba Muyiwa Adesanya, former Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government and former Executive Secretary, Imota LCDA and Mrs Toyin Salau , former Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Ikorodu North LCDA.
You can find details on Heaven’s Forecourt on website www.heavensforecourt.com .
