•What Her Children Revealed About Her
On Saturday 23rd July 2022, the family of Mama Victoria Anike Ajanaku had a 90th Birthday Thanksgiving Service for her at the Methodist Church, Otapete, Ilesa, Osun State to celebrate God’s Grace & Faithfulness in her life. It was a well-attended event.
The reception followed immediately at Kings Mega Event Centre in Ilesa. Olubukola Kayode revealed a lot about Mama Victoria Ajanaku @ 90.
“Mrs. Victoria Anike Ajanaku was born on July 19th, 1932 in Ijebu-Ode to Pa Salawu and Ma Nusiatu Osunkoya. She is one of 4 siblings and the last born of her parents. Her brother, Pa Idowu Osunkoya was the firstborn, followed by her sister Mrs Oyinade Ladega and her immediate sister Alhaja Taibat Adewale, all of blessed memories.”
“They all were quite close and cared for each other deeply.
Upon completion of her primary school in Ijebu, she moved to Ibadan to live with her brother Pa. Idowu Osunkoya who taught her the art of photography, where she would assist him to cover different events and produce pictures in the dark room.
She later attended St. James Oke Bola, followed by Oritamefa Modern School for her 5th 6 certificates, upon completion, she applied to the top 2 Teacher’s Training Colleges back then, G.T.T.C & U.M.C.”
“She was subsequently admitted to the former located in Ilesha, instead of U.M.C. her preferred choice, being one of the best students in her set, her principal Mrs Priddy and her Geography teacher wer both surprised by the outcome.
But unknowingly to all, fate and destiny did play a part in her ending up at G.T.T.C. Ilesha, where she met her dear husband Pa. Isaac Ojo Ajanaku of blessed memory in 1952.
After few years of courtship, they got married on April 19th, 1956 at Ijebu-Ode.
The marriage to the glory of God was blessed with 8 children.
Shortly after, she became the office Accountant for Ajanaku Finance and Investment Company (AFICO).
Also Ajanaku Transport Services/Motor till Papa’s passing in 1982.
She then started her business of selling laces and other fabric at her shop in front of Ajanaku’s compound.”
Mama later moved to Papa I. O. Ajanaku’s Highway Hotel when she became a distributor for International Breweries Ltd (IBL) and Dangote Cement, while the other cement shop remained in/at Isokun.
“All of these, in addition to taking care of her home and tending to her children both far and near. She raised her children in the ways of the Lord, to be polite, appear neatly and well dressed always.”
“Mama is quite active and extremely involved at the Methodist Cathedral Church, Otapete Ilesha, where she is Matron of Ifedapo Society, Boy’s Scouts, Matron, Ladies Band of Hope, Matron, Christian Pioneer, Matron, Men’s Fellowship and Matron, Boys and Girls’ Brigade of which she received numerous awards for her great service and leadership.
She is also a member of and attended services at the Methodist Church, Bodija, Ibadan, where she built a house in Bodija a couple of years ago, after the passing of her dear husband, to be closer to her siblings who were all based there then.
From thereon, she has shuttled between both cities, Lagos and abroad – Maryland, Boston, Connecticut, Houston and Atlanta USA, taking great care of her family tirelessly, selflessly and endlessly even at this age, to this date!
Mama is blessed with 23 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
To God be all the glory, honours and adoration for a well accomplished healthy life.”
“Her daughter, Layi Ajanaku also wrote a tribute in her honour. Mama, we thank God for your life. We thank God for your longevity. We thank God for the milestone of reaching the age of 90.
All my life, I have only known you as a very caring, very generous and highly empathetic woman, not just to your children and grandchildren, but to everyone that has come in contact with you. I have always known you to be a very hard-working, highly intelligent woman and wife. You gave all your time and services to Baba Ajanaku from when I was old enough to recognise the countries hours you gave serving and helping Baba in his business. You also cared for your siblings deeply.
You allowed us to spend holidays with your dear late Sister Alhaja at Ibadan, because of your deep empathy for her, since she wasn’t able to conceive. You also took in and raised some of your siblings’ children, and even the ones that Baba handed over to you, from Baba’s side of the family.
You also love your own children equally, without any prejudices, preferences or favouritism to any particular child. You made it known, that, every child has equal rights and access to you, in spite off.
That’s why we love you, Mama, and that is why we are joyfully celebrating your well-lived and fulfilled life. Happy Birthday, Mama. All of 90 years. Glory be to our Lord Jesus Christ.
And by God’s grace, we shall mark 95 by God’s will in Jesus’ name.
Her son, Akintola Ajanaku wrote: Dear mother. How you juggle with the intrigues of a big family like ours and still remain strong, remains a mystery. How you played the understanding card of being a foreigner in foreign Ijesaland, yet you still remain a darling mother to both young and old.
You are a strong and understanding woman, I am so happy that I am celebrating you in your lifetime. You deserve more!
Thank you for all you have done for me from the day I was born. You are also a perfect grandmother to both my children, Alexandra and Tifeoluwa, who loves you so much and enjoy spending their holidays with you at Ilesa…
Mama, as you celebrate your 90th may Almighty God grant you good health, happiness and peace of mind.
Her daughter, Yewande & Jide Ogundare wrote: “Dear Mum, we are extremely happy to be celebrating you on this wonderful day as you attain the milestone age of 90.”
“Congratulations and to God be the glory! We are indeed grateful for His numerous blessings, of which you are one and thank Him for your life and for His grace that has sustained you thus far.
Mama, you have been a loving, caring and supportive mother to us as well as your grandchildren, Oladayo, Olatunde, Olamide and Olatomiwa; each of whom you have an endearment for and at various times have benefitted from your prayers, guidance and wise counsel. These have positively impacted their lives. We appreciate your ever-present motherly love which is evidenced in many ways including ensuring that anytime we visited you in Ilesa, we went home with a pot of your special assorted meat stew amongst other gifts. A few of your pots are still to be found in our home.”
“As we celebrate with our amazing mum, we wish you abundant happiness, good health and we pray that your heart will never know sorrow nor displeasure. May each passing day bring you joy, peace of mind and beautiful surprises.
Happy birthday to our precious Mama, your birthday deserves all the amazing colours of celebration. Enjoy your day.
God bless you Mama. E tunbo pe fun wa L’oruko Jesu. Amin.
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