{"id":80445,"date":"2017-02-21T23:04:09","date_gmt":"2017-02-21T23:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.com\/?p=80445"},"modified":"2017-02-21T23:04:09","modified_gmt":"2017-02-21T23:04:09","slug":"funeral-arrangements-tributes-to-pa-blyden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/?p=80445","title":{"rendered":"Funeral arrangements &#038; Tributes to Pa Blyden"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><b><span style=\"margin: 0px; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\">Final Funeral Rites for the Late Edward Babatunde Walter Gustavus Blyden will be as follows:<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Service of Thanksgiving and Commendation on\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Monday 27th February, 2017 at 6pm at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Forest Hill Methodist Church,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Normanton Street,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">London, SE23 2DS<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">B.)\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tuesday 28th February 2017, the remains leave London for Freetown on Air France<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Wednesday 1st March 2017, the remains arrive at Lungi Airport to be formally received by COLUMBIA DAVIES MEMORIAL FUNERAL PARLOUR.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">C.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vigil\/Wakekeeping on\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saturday 4th March, 2017 at 6pm at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Zion Methodist Church,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wilberforce Street,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Freetown, Sierra Leone<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">D.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Funeral and Communion Service on\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sunday 5th March, 2017 at 2.30pm at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Zion Methodist Church,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wilberforce Street,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Freetown, Sierra Leone<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">E.)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Interment at\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Race Course Cemetery,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Freetown,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sierra Leone<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Meanwhile, Books of Condolence have been opened at the following two locations where sympathisers may call:<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">IN LONDON<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">75c Tressillian Road<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Brockley,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">London SE4 1YA<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tel: +44-208-691-8417<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">IN FREETOWN<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">8 Ndoeka Drive<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cockle Bay<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Off Aberdeen Ferry Rd<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Freetown<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tel: +232-76-812345<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Formal Obituary Announcement\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; color: #800000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\">OBITUARY: BLYDEN<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Edward Blyden Family regrets to announce the passing away of our Patriarch: Mr. Edward Walter Babatunde Gustavus Blyden, which sad event took place in London, UK on the 14th of February 2017, aged 74. He is survived by his wife, Mrs Sylvia Blyden<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">His children, Pastor Mrs Babsy Kaye; Hon. Government Minister Dr Sylvia Blyden; Miss \u00a0Cheryl Blyden and Mr Edward Babatunde Blyden jnr.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sons and daughter in law, Mr Ashley Kaye, Mr Isaac Adegboyega and Mrs Elsa Blyden,<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Grandchildren, Sylvester, Linda, Samuel, Ashanti, Akintoye, Miles and Mia-Rose.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Father in Law, Professor Solomon Pratt.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Foster Children, Mrs Virginia Zack-Williams, Mrs Abie Labor-Koroma, Mr Safea Songu-Mbriwa, Mrs Isatu Brima-Keita, Mr Theophilus Kamara, Mr Lawrence Sesay and Mrs Jacqueline Cullen-Olushesi and their familes.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sisters and brothers, Madam Joya Davies, Mr Emmanuel Harding, Madam Isa Blyden, Mr Bai Blyden, Mrs Fenda Akinwumi, Dr Eluem Blyden, Madam Cleo Blyden, Chef Didi Blyden, Dr Nemata Bickersteth, Mrs Josephine Jalloh Jamboria, Mrs Araba Ben-Carew-Josiah and their families.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sisters and brothers in law, Mr Egerton Mammah, Mrs Angella Williams, Mrs Antoinette Roberts, Mr Joe Jalloh-Jamboria, Mrs Hannah Butcher, Mrs Thelma Conteh, Mr James Pratt, Mr Akintoye Akinwumi, Mrs Glenys Blyden, Mrs Mary Harding, Mr Bickersteth and Mrs Victoria Ben-Carew.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Several cousins, nieces and nephews, including Mrs Ayodele Cream-Wright, Mrs Iyamide Clarke, Mr Eddie Bahsco-George, Mrs Nafisatu Alhadi, Mr Tunjie Lightfoot-Taylor, Mr Lloyd Bright, \u00a0Hon Justice Bintu Alhadi, Administrator &amp; Registrar General Madam Seray Kallay, Mrs Hilda Shyllon, Mrs Ruby Stronge, Mrs Isabella Findlay, Miss Emma Harding, Mrs Matilda Adjagba, Mrs Emmanuella Jenkins and Mr Emmanuel Harding jnr.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Other relatives include, First Lady Mrs Sia Nyama Koroma and the Abu Aiah Koroma family, Mrs. Marian Adebie-Williams, The Solomon Pratt family, Revd Bami &amp; Apostle Lucinda Palmer, Boyle, Patnelli, Porter, Mammah, Candy, Bull, Iscandari, Zubairu, Dahniya, Marsh, Alhadi, Taylors, Williams, Ben-Carew, Mr &amp; Mrs Unisa Carew, Lightfoot Taylor, Bascho-George, Songu-Mbriwa, Elba Jones, Nicol of Aberdeen, Takawira, Roberts of Congo town, the Foulah Town &amp; Fourah Bay Community and the Juba Estate community.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Close family friends, Haja Mrs Mabinty S.I. Koroma, Mr &amp; Mrs Robert Briggs, Dr Dolly Grant, Mrs Farella Thomas-Clarkson.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He was pioneer of the wave of youths self-empowerment in eighties and nineties, the Founding Director of the Civic Development Education Center (CDEC); Chairman of the Sierra Leone United Nations Association (SLUNA), Commissioner of the National Commission for Democracy amongst other positions of service he held.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whilst seeking Refuge in Britain from the civil war in Sierra Leone, his Civic Educator role was quickly identified and he was recruited by the Tony Blair Labour Government to hold one of the 5 key Posts in the Quango attached to the Home Office known as THE EXPERIENCE CORP.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He was in post for 5 years after which he was Chairman of the Lewisham Homes Association of Sydenham.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">He was also in the Chaplaincy Service at Lewisham Hospital where he offered a lot of support to patients. He did a lot of pastoral work with drug addicted youths in Britain and created lots of entertainment for the Aged by organising trips, picnics and many social functions.<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Until he fell ill, he was a very active member of several Masonic Bodies in England, Gambia and Sierra Leone as well as The Hastings Ojeh Society, The Foulah Town Geledeh Society and The Firestone Cultural Society. He was a constant annual patron of several of Freetown Cultural Ordehlays including East End Paddle. He was also a member of the APC United Kingdom branch. He was also one of the Board of Trustees at Zion Methodist Church, Wilberforce Street.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">May his wonderful soul rest in perfect peace.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Amen.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Final Funeral Rites for the Late Edward Babatunde Walter Gustavus Blyden will be as follows: A.) Service of Thanksgiving and Commendation on\u00a0 Monday 27th February, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":80441,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[745,11448,673],"tags":[21497,7109,21584,21585,21498,21512],"class_list":["post-80445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-life-and-entertainment","category-local-news","category-national-news","tag-breaking-news","tag-dr-sylvia-olayinka-blyden","tag-edward-babatunde-walter-gustavus-blyden","tag-edward-blyden","tag-featured","tag-trending"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=80445"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80445\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80446,"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80445\/revisions\/80446"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/80441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=80445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=80445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=80445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}