On 23rd February, 2017, Madam Agnes Kehinde Agbeke Obayomi (nee Diyaolu) passed on in Lagos at the age of 70. Popularly called Mama Mafoluku, this adorable women was the mother of popular gospel singer, Tope Alabi. A requiem mass was held in her honour on Friday, 24th March 2017 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Oshodi-Lagos.
For those who don’t know lets tell you a bit about Mama. She was born on the 27th October, 1947 into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Diyaolu , Abeokuta , Ogun State. She attended Anglican Primary School, Ake Abeokuta, where she began her primary School education and later went to Saki where she completed her Standard Six. After that, she worked in the organization established by Mr. and Mrs. Adekanbi (her in-law and elder sister respectively). She was then admitted into Textile school, Ijebu-Ode for Skill acquisition. Here also, she was actively involved in the choral group, cultural and Drama groups while in that school. She later went back to Ibadan after her in-law went to work at Pfizer. Furthermore, She later came to Lagos for sometime (after she had gotten a job at Oba Textile Mills, Abeokuta). She met and got married to her husband, Mr. Akin Joseph Obayomi. Later on she moved to Lagos where she tried to get a job with Aswani Textile Mills, Lagos, but the company had no vacancy. The company later permitted her to sell goods (plantain) to the staff of the company. After some time. She had the grace to open a retail grocery shop in her house here in Lagos.
She was a lover of children. She used to take care of children in the extended family, and on her street too. She would take them to church. As a result of this some families have come into her family. In church (Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mushin) She was a Yoruba Catechist for adults. A member of Christian mothers, former secretary and president of Morning Star Praesidium (Legion of Mary), a member of the Holy Rosary group, Sacred heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Anthony of Padua in the church.A worshipper who never jokes with her prayers. Presently, many families have been engrafted into her family through her love and care for everyone. She was so fond of cooking for her husband. Her children are Joseph Olufemi Obayomi, Patricia Temitope Obayomi(Now Evang. Tope Alabi). Anthony Richard Obayomi, Funke Obayomi (Now Funke Jolaosho), Omolade Oyira. In conclusion, God loves her so much and she loves God too. She transited into glory of Jesus on the 23rd February, 2017.
In his tribute titled My Last Letter To My Wife, her husband write: “Words of the mouth cannot express who you were to me all the years we spent together. Prayer was a daily meal to you. You taught me all the prayers; Angelus, Holy rosary, The Catena and forced me to pray them amidst disagreements and laughter. God saw that you have been a good and faithful servant and did not want you to lose faith in him that’s why he has asked you to enter into His Joy and heal you to give you another body-the glorious one. No complaints at all even down to the food you cooked for me. You knew the right food I wanted to eat at the right time even without asking me. I will miss your pounded yam so much, and even your local dishes. You were a teacher and a mentor; your children now cook as you did because you taught them. I admired the way you treated everyone equally and fairly even more than yourself, your endurance, courage, jokes and perseverance even amidst the trials. I cannot write much because your moving on met me suddenly and unprepared. If I am to write to you, three 60 leaves notebook will be filled and will not even be enough to talk about you and the experiences we had together. Have fun in the Joy of your Friend, Jesus with your rightful reward”.
Her son-in-law Olusoji Alabi also paid tribute to her. Soji is Tope Alabi’s husband. He wote: “From far and wide, sons, daughters, grandchildren, relatives, in-laws and friends have come to celebrate Mama Mafoluku in cognizance of how she touched many lives positively. In my reminiscence of her impacts on my life, the first thought that came to mind was her ‘spirit of forgiveness’. I admired my mother-in-law because she was a kind-hearted, loving, supportive, an extremely generous and accommodating mother who always wanted the best for us and all around her. She was always concerned about our well-being. She was disciplined, principled and was full of integrity. The first time I met her was like an examination. I went through a series of question and answer sessions: A habit quite normal for a loving mother who wants her daughter with the right husband.
Thank you mummy for giving birth to my wife TEMITOPE ALABI whom God is using TOPE to impart many lives positively with her thought provoking songs. I will miss you but your grandchildren, AYOMIKUN and DEBORAH will miss you more. We, however, will meet at the feet of Christ. 0 daaro, odi ojo Ajinde. We love you but Jesus loves you more. Mama Mafoluku, sun re 000.
Tope Alabi herself also wrote a Tribute To Mummy: “Mummy you are the best mother on the surface of the earth, so unassuming, cultured, amiable, a committed worshipper, a philanthropist of great repute, humble to a fault, an uncommon intercessor, a gifted singer, a consistent person who value integrity and sincerity mire than gold. You were an encyclopedia of wisdom and understanding, a mother of mother and a mother to all that come in contact with her, you bequeathed a legacy is a source of consolation to us, your transition though painful and unexpected, we are comforted that you are with your maker, who loves you dearly than any mortal, sleep on mama till the resurrection morning”.
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
