•The Story Of Alhaja SADIAT ABEKE EROGBOGBO
It’s no longer news that Hon. Abike Dabiri recently lost her mother Alhaja Sadiat Abeke Erogbogbo who was born in Kano State on 7th of June 1930 to late Pa Sunmonu Alamutu of Mokola Abeokuta, Ogun State and late Alhaja Hawanatu Aduke Anjorin, Iyalode Adini of Ebute Metta Central Mosque, Carter Street by Evans Square, Ebutte Metta, Lagos.
Her father died when she was about one-year old and was raised by her mother. She attended Mount Carmel School Ebute Metta and later proceeded to Teachers Training College, Lagos.
Her teaching career began in 1948 at Public School, Enu-Owa, Lagos and later at Edward Blyden Memorial High School, Lagos and Ansarudeen Oke-Popo, Lagos.
She met her husband at an Ansar-Ud-deen funfair, where according to Alhaji Ashafa Erogbogbo he couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful Sadiat and a friend had to warm him not fall under a bus, staring at a woman.
Alhaja Erogbogbo was married at Ansarudeen Mosque, Alakoro in 1952 to Alhaji Ajibola Ashafa Erogbogbo. The union is blessed with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and 68 years of marital bliss.
The children are Alhaja Kofowora Kassim, MrAbayomi Erogbogbo, Mr A. Rotimi Erogbogbo,
Mrs Ajoke Gbeleyi, Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa, Mrs Moji Williams and Mr Olusola Erogbogbo. 21 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
Mama resigned from active service to become a full-time housewife in 1965 having traveled all around Nigeria with her heartthrob Alhaji Ajibola Ashafa Erogbogbo, teaching in Ansarudeen Schools in whatever part of the country she found herself, from. Kano to Kaduna to Jos to Benin etc
In 1967, she joined her mother in the trading business and in 1986, she performed the holy pilgrimage to Mecca. She has since dedicated her life to the service of Islam and humanity, positively touching lives of many. Mama also dedicated her life to membership and participation in activities of Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Lagos Branch, Division Two, Ansarudeen Ladies Association and Asalatu Tajul Ida.
Alhaja Sadiat Abeke Erogbogbo was a philanthropist. A detribalized Nigerian and a dedicated, compassionate mother and wife. She was popularly known as “KIND TEACHER.”
Her favorite philosophy was “In my life, I will not wish anybody evil or express hatred towards anybody”, a mantra she lived by all through her life on earth
Words can’t express the feeling when I realized that you are no more. It will be difficult and painful going through life without such an important part of you. No more phone calls, no more visits, no more birthdays to celebrate, no more motherly hugs and kisses, no more advice … waoh!! !
Even at 90 years, you passed on just too soon. I really wish I could see you again. I wish I had another chance to say goodbye – one last hug, one last kiss.
I know you are in a better place looking down on me with love and guidance and nodding your head in approval. I want to tell you and the world you’ll always be in my heart forever and I promise to always make you proud. I love you sweet mom!!
Yes! My wonderful, decent, compassionate, loving, caring SWEET MOTHER has gone to REST IN PEACE.
Thanking Almighty Allah (SWT) for a life well spent and grant you Jannatul Firdaus. Amen.
OLUSHOLA HABEEB EROGBOGBO
Alhaja wa Owon, Granny to Dara To Si Lewa.
My earliest memory of Alhaja is of her taking great care of us and by us I mean her heritage – her family- her legacy. In short, all of us. As you read through the tributes here today, one thing will be certain – there will a consistent declaration. No matter who the speaker or author is. She was kind generous and very intentional in everything she did. She nurtured hard, cared hard but most of all loved very hard.
Whilst putting together this write I recalled a conversation we had recently; where after exchanging our usual humour filled greetings, she proceeded to inquire about my ex-University colleagues from 20 years ago. Back then my school mates and myself shared an apartment and Alhaja came there to visit us numerous times. It was simple awesome that she did that for us back then but to recall and remind me of that whilst inquiring about my colleagues is testament of the fact that Alhaja not only loved her own children but indeed all children and with great care and concern. It was at that moment that it occurred to me it was these sort of traits that must have led to her earning the moniker ‘Kind Teacher’. As far as I am concerned Alhaja never stopped being that kind teacher, through her actions, her compassion, her perseverance. She taught us how to love, to be tolerant, to do more – to go an extra mile.
Doing a little more than the best was her way. A trait that I have tried to emulate and imbibe all of my life. Her mantra was: never to do or carry out any evil acts no matter circumstances. She would always remind me to remember the son of whom I am and not to engage in negative act and be of model character and make our parents proud. One I particularly like is to always be content and accept whatever is giving to me freely or of effort with appreciation without complaint.
I could go on and on but I will say at 90 years strong, Alhaja lived, Oh she lived! She really did. 7 great children, many grandchildren and great grand children. Almighty Allah, wonderful you are for the gift that came to be known as Alhaja Sadiat Abeke Erogbogbo. We love you, we miss you Grandma – ‘Americana Alhaja’ as I always fondly referred to you. I will miss how you would respond ‘Emi na re o’ with huge smiles and elation. Alhaja, the tears have turned to joy! You paid it forward for a great multitude; we are grateful and lucky to have been part of your journey. Alhaja e sun re o – May Allah forgive your shortcomings and grant you Aljanat Fridaus, Amin.
–Olusegun Jubril Erogbogbo
“What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness” – Jean Jarques Roussou.
The above quote encapsulates our beloved Mum’s lifestyle throughout her sojourn on Earth.
Her kindness endeared her to all the people she interacted with, both young &old, irrespective of status.
Mum’s constant reminder of the popular verse from the Holy Bible “Gba eyi ton se tire ki osima dupe” not only found a big place in my heart, but made me courageous &steadfast all the way, through thick & thin. I truly appreciate Mum for being there for all of us, when it mattered most.
Adieu Mummy, my dear friend, my philosopher queen, a woman of courage with an undying love for humanity. May our dear Alhaja S. A. Erogbogbo (nee Alamutu) enjoy everlasting peace in the bosom of her maker.
She came, she saw &she conquered. Bravo Mum!!!
Ajoke Gbeleyi, (daughter)
Tribute to an amazing mother in law
Describing my dear mother Alhaja ShadiatAbeke Erogbogbo as the best mother in the world is an understatement.
From the first day I met her, her warmth, beauty, kindness has always been unparalleled. Her nickname for me was “Black and shine”
Alhaja calls everyone, stays in touch and always wants to know how you are doing. Mum. I already miss that your ringing laughter, when Abike calls you” Iyawo Alhaji, you reply her “Iyawo Erewa”.
Then you call me by your favorite nick name “Black and shine”. I’m glared we shared memorable moments with you before you left to the Lords blossom in peace. Sleep well, Alhaja.
Segun Erewa
Iyawo wa number 1. Our grandmother was a force of nature of kindness, sweetness, love, sacrifice and dedication to Allah and family. None of us would be here today without her. She has imbued so much of her values, love and kindness in us and we cannot thank her enough.
I pray Allah rewards you for all the good deeds, kindness and prayers that your life has inspired. May Allah grant you access to the highest gate of Jannah.
We will continue to do as you have always asked us to do, Hajia mi. Sun re o.
Dipo and Deji Dabiri
The love of a grandma is unique. God must have given grandmothers to us to liven up our lives, to make our lives more complete, to make us well rounded and better human beings. My grandma truly livened mine, “o yes, she did”, she played a big part in my life, one I will surely never forget. She has never been just my grandma, but my guardian angel, my friend and my inspiration.
Love you grandma, you truly were a special woman. You may have passed on, but your memories will always live on within us. Thank you for your sacrifices abiamo tooto, thank you for your care, your love, concern, words of wisdom, encouragement and advice, thank you for what and who you were to me, thank you for everything you did for me. I beseech Almighty Allah to count you amongst the righteous faithfully guided ones, enlarge your grave and shed light upon you in it (amen). Rest in peace grandma, you will surely be missed.
WILLIAMS RUKAYAT OMOWUNMI (Granddaughter)
Alhaja Sadiat Erogbogbo was a loving and caring mother. She was a Shepherd that never lost sight of her sheep.
We will miss her. Sun re o kind Teacher.
OLORI RISIKAT ONIRU
Mummy, The Greatest woman I know. One with great substance and humility. You were truly a gem. Although you have gone home peacefully, I wish you were still here caring for me. Coming to my shop, checking up on me at all times. Even as you got older, your care became stronger and I’ll will always be grateful you will always be beautiful inside you in my heart. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord. Love you Mummy Ikeja. Rest in peace Alhaja Shadiyat Abeke
Erogbogbo. JOKE SOGUNRO
Tribute to Alhaja Sadiat Abeke Erogbogbo, Alhaja to dara, to lewa, won to ju wa O!..and that for me is the loving memory of Alhaja because she taught us the true definition of love which is simply being there and Alhaja was there from taking care of her grandchildren, to always praying for us, advising us, calling us on our birthdays, checking up on us to attending our Birthday, family ceremonies and weddings. Even while she was on the wheel chair Alhaja was there … Alhaja wa Owon! E ti sise iya iya sile, eyin yin si ti da. Mama Erogbogbo e sun re a!
OLUMUYIWA GBELEYI
Good Night Mama!
Alhaja died on my birthday! Allahu Akbar!
That she passed on my birthday is an additional blessing. I feel she will always be near me as I will forever remember her for her love, kindness and generosity towards me and my sister. Our dear Mama lived a long and productive life. A mother’s death is an irreparable loss. We take solace in the assurance that she is in a better place. My sincerest condolences.
FOLAKE EROGBOGBO
Tribute to “Iya Mi”, “Iya mi”, as I fondly called her was my mother and aunt; my dad’s younger sister/niece. I coin named her “Iya mi” because of her motherly virtues. Her love for me is one that is only comparable to that of a mother, this is so because it is indescribable. I can still remember vividly the joyful countenance she always exhibited whenever she sees anyone of her family member (nuclear and extended), the cheerfulness in her and the unending generosity that was her unique identity. Keeping the ties of kinship is a major act of goodness in Islam that attracts immense reward and long life, one of fulfillment and success. Iya mi had a good understanding of this religious duties and it’s significance, thus she has always ensured it’s application. She did foster unity and brotherhood in our family. Her religious commitment was enviable, so also her compassionate nature.
Alhamdulillah, you came, you saw, you conquered, you lived life to the fullest. May Almighty Allah (SW) bestow his mercy upon you and admit you into Jannatul Firdaus (amen).
ALHAJI HAFEEZA. WILLIAMS (GREAT NEPHEW)
“The Kind Teacher” as she was fondly called, Alhaja Sadia Abeke Erogbogbo (S. A. to her Husband) was such an amazing mother to her children and to all who were lucky to have made her acquaintance. She gave us all the best that she could and she loved us unconditionally. It did not matter whether you were her biological children, their spouses and siblings, their cousins or their friends, Mummy had always received all with warmth and open arms. She had also continued to maintain regular contact with everyone through visits and phone calls all over the world.
She taught us about love, patience and endurance. She taught us to be prayerful and to lead by example. She would be greatly missed. May Allah (SWT) accept all her good deeds and forgive all her wrongs and May Al- jannah Fridaus be her final abode. Aameen.
FUAD, KUNLE & LATIFAT, KOFO KASSIM.
May our loving Mother Alhaja Abeke Erogbogbos soul rest in perfect peace IJMN Amen. We thank God for her selfless life. Very caring and loving. Adieu Mama Dada. Shallom.
from YEMISI OLAJIDE (Nee Erogbogbo.)
Alhaja S. A. Erogbogbo was good to all the children and all grandchildren and great grand children .. ‘Iwaju ti o koju si ti da, ehin e na ma da inshaa Allah’ May her Soul rest in Peace.
Aameen!!!!!!!. She was fond of calling me Iyaniwura. Her sister- In-law.
ALHAJA SILIFAT OMOWONUOLA ONIMOLE (Nee Erogbogbo). MAA-SALAM .
From Alhaji S. A. Ahmed children
From Allah we came and to him we shall all return. Mummy lived a life well spent and no amount of appreciation is equivalent to all her good deeds. Talking about what she has done for me and my family will take forever to talk about and I probably won’t even finish up so am just gonna mention a few.
Alhaja Shadiyat Abeke Erogbogbo was a good, loving, accommodative and caring mother who treats all children like hers and never discriminate or differentiate.
Mummy was a friendly person and never had grudges unsettled with anyone. Mummy brought up my father the person of Alhaji Amodu Ahmed and took all his children like hers and gave us all the love she gave her own children and when it vacation we offer go to her place at Ikeja where she stayed with her loving and caring husband which they both play and act like kids which makes us happy and joyous at that time.
Mummy is not that kind of person that stay angry for long, if you upset her she clears up her mind and everything is back to normal within a blink of an eye ..
Mummy was never absent or far from us (Alhaji S.A Ahmed children) even after the demise of our father. She attended our wedding and other ceremonies standing as our father and all and never forgot us as she maintained constant contact with us from time to time. Anytime a remembrance is to be made she always Include our father’s name and pray for him and when our mom died she was sad and she called to extend her condolences and comfort us with sooting words.
On her 90th birthday she called us and prayed for us and we wished her many more years not knowing her time is near mummy was a good and loving mother in her life time and I pray she is rewarded with Aljanah Fridaus and may all what she left behind (property or children) never perish but rather flourish and grow in abundance …
On behalf of the Omotundes, I commiserate with our family members, the Erogbogbos, the Kassims, the Gbeleyis, the Dabiri Erewas and the Williams’s over the passing onto glory of our darling, amiable, caring, unassuming and loving Matriarch of the Erogbogbos, the one I used to call original Alhaja Shadiat Abeke Erogbogbo. Eye meji ki n je asa. I got to know Alhaja over 30 years ago through her daughter in law Olubunmi and her grandsons, Professor Folarin and Engineer Folusho Erogbogbo.
One thing I have learned in life is that the love of a mother for her child reflects and extends to everybody around that child. Alhaja Erogbogbo exhibited this virtue wholeheartedly. Once I became a friend to her daughter in law, I enjoyed every kind gesture and affection Alhaja had for Bunmi. Alhaja respected me, never called me by my first name, treated me like one of her own offsprings, would branch at my office then on Broad Street to say hello, would discuss intimate issues with me like she would a “friend” and we just bonded. What about Alhaja’s of ad a stew, her special eja osan fish to me every time she went to her customer at Oyingbo.
Alhaja would call me first thing in the morning after her prayers to send my driver to pick one thing or the other to eat at the office or take home. She was wonderful. We are grateful to the Almighty God for answering her prayers, she always said, no matter how long I live, none of you my children will leave me behind.
We are all going to miss her warm and large heart, her special prayers which always ended with quotes from the Holy Qur’an and her thoughtfulness in its entirety. May the Lord grant Alhaja Shadiat Abeke Al- janna fidaus and may He protect her seeds. Aaaamin.
Mrs Oyejoke Omotunde.
Tribute to Alhaja SadiatAbeke Erogbogbo, my dearest mother-in-Iove
Alhaja Sadiat Abeke Erogbogbo was a beautiful mother, inside out. She was loving, caring, kind, generous and friendly. She was a forever grateful person; always appreciating whatever anyone did for her, no matter how small or how long ago it was.
She took me as her own, and extended her open arms of love to my friends as well. She will be greatly missed. We will all miss her phone calls to us on our birthdays, her holiday greetings and the endless ways she positively touched our lives. Thank you, wonderful mother; for your love, prayers, words of admonition, and friendliness. I will miss her dearly, I will miss hearing her voice over the phone. Sleep well, beloved.
Olubunmi Erogbogbo
Tribute to Alhaja S.A. Erogbogbo by Dr Remi Abere
It seems so surreal that I am about to write a tribute to Alhaja – my second mum, how do I start, not really sure. I will start at the very beginning, I think it was the 15th of September 1975. My dad, my sister, Julie and I had finally arrived in Lagos, my sister and I here for the first time, to stay. To say that arriving from Glasgow to Lagos was indeed a culture shock in 1975 is a bit of an understatement. My uncle had picked us up at the airport (which is now the local airport) in his white Peugeot 404. It probably took an hour to drive across Ikeja to Adeniyi Jones, which would be our home for the next few months. On parking at no 13, all of a sudden, I saw a lady in a powder blue “ero and buba” running, no racing down the stairs as fast as her legs could take her, big smile on her face and give us the most incredible big, warm hug you could ever get from anyone. I am not sure I have ever seen anyone so excited to see us in my whole life! She was so sweet and warm and she made me and my sister feel instantly at home.
This sums up the heart of my auntie, she was so loving, so pure, no matter what mode she was in she always had smiles and love for me/us! We had a special way of greeting every time we saw each other. There was always a special light in her eyes, she would call me “Rem Rem”. She always thought I was so much like my dad.
Alhaja was always there to lend a helping hand. In the early days, when we first arrived from Scotland, we had difficulty in finding a primary school. Alhaja would take us round Lagos, nearly every day, stopping off at every primary school we could find, from Maryland convent to Grace Children’s School to Lara Day, she would never tire. On the occasions that my sister Julie
did not like the food she served, she would take us to a restaurant in town to eat. I could go on and on talking about how exceptional Alhaja was.
She was a mother of all mothers, her light and loving nature kept everyone together. She was always calling to see how we all were right up till her last moments, and she never missed anyone out. Anytime I visited her in Ikorodu, we would take trips down memory lane and laugh and when I left, I would feel comforted to face the world again. I truly believe, every now and again, God releases an angel, I definitely know that Alhaja was one of them, to say we will miss her is definitely true and a massive understatement, but what I do know, is that her memory will live forever in all our hearts. Good night my dear Alhaja, we love you so much. I know you are resting in peace.
Alhaja my second mum …..
My abiding memory is her gorgeous welcome at Adeniyi Jones.
She was so warm and kind! My dad, Remi and I arrived in a country that was so different from the one we left as children and she was our ROCK.
The first thing she asked when we arrived of course was whether we wanted to eat!
Unfortunately, young Julie was very picky and difficult to please but Alhaja was so patient. She even offered to pick the black bits out of my dodo!! That was Alhaja all over, she liked to accommodate and make people feel happy and content and would keep on trying until she succeeded.
Lovely kind lady with the quiet voice, I shall miss you. Rest in peace.
Julie Bridge (Nee Erogbogbo)
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