•What Her Children, Family & Friends Said About Her
Foluke Adunni Adegbaju was born in 1935 at Ogbon Oya compound of lle Ife. Her father was the late Samuel Idiogun Alainde of Ogbon Oya compound, a prominent and famous large scale cocoa farmer who established Oru Alainde Village, Oke Owena, Ife South Local Government. Her mother was late madam Abigail Oni Alainde of Akeran compound, Ilare, Ife. Mama Foluke Adunni did not have the benefit of western education but being from a background of a hardworking family, she was able to live a fairly comfortable life before getting married to a wealthy cocoa produce merchant from the Asarogun compound of Iredumi, lle Ife; Pa Julius Idowu Isoja Oladoyin popularly know as Bamisayemi Oluwa. The marriage produced two children; Folorunso and Funmilayo. The marriage ended abruptly when Papa Idowu Isoja was politically murdered on 24th December 1965.
Mama faced a torrid time for so many years after the death of her husband but eventually settled down with Pa Badiru Fayenuwo Adegbaju of Timi compound around 1971. Pa Badiru Adegbaju later became the Timi of Ife. They were together till She became a widow some ten years ago. Mama was into various businesses during her lifetime but she was renowned as a plank seller, a business she did for about 45 years. Mama was survived by eight children namely Folorunso, Funmilayo, Kayode, Damilare, Muritala, Rasaq, Simbiat and Abass. She gave her all during her lifetime to ensure her children were successful. She was indeed a mother in a million. She died on the 26th of April,2021 after a brief illness.
TRIBUTE
Maami, you have gone home at last to rest. Your well-deserved rest. You came, you saw, you conquered. You were an exceptional mum to your children and a caring sister to your siblings. Your immediate and extended family will definitely miss you.
Thank you for the wonderful legacy you left behind for your children.Since your demise, the testimonies of your good deeds were beautifully expressed by all and sundry. You taught us to give, even when we had little. You were so caring; you still showed care whilst on your sick bed. Maami, I still remember vividly how you stood by me when I was carrying my second pregnancy; you nurtured and prayed for me till delivered the baby. You were an industrious woman who took it upon herself to train your children in the act of buying and selling. I remember in the year 1974 when there was a scarcity of kerosene, Mama will travel all the “‘fay to Port Harcourt to buy kerosene and sell
Mama was one of the founding members of Atagijere in lIe-ife. A resourceful mother indeed!
You might not be with us in flesh Mama, but your sweet memories will linger on. I am comforted by the fact that you are resting well in the bosom of the Lord and one day we would meet again.
Adieu Maami Adunni Ade, Sun re o.
–Your daughter, FunmiiayoAyesanmi.
Iya Muredo, as I fondly called you, I grew up to know you as a hardworking, courageous and loving mother. You lived a very good and quintessential life. You stood by me all through my trying period and when others rejected me, I am forever grateful to you. You ran a good race and finished the course. You personified geniality, generosity, excellent and rare motherliness. You have left a vacuum difficult to fill, but I am happy and consoled that you left indelible marks and a legacy of excellence behind. Rest on good mother and a great mother.
Your Son, Dare aka, Oregun
Mama, you were the truest and dearest mother-in-law I could ever ask for. You were a precious gift from God, so much beauty, grace, love and patience you possessed.
Mama, you were so endowed with uncommon attributes: You always put others first and ready to go at any length to help in meeting their needs; You never had the time of your own, rather you shared it and used it for others; You were such a hard-working woman, even on your sickbed, you were still making cool money from sales of goods; More importantly, you upheld all of us in prayers, especially to our children. You were such an epitome of kindness, honesty, humility, generosity, and integrity. You cannot visit mama and leave without being offered food no matter how brief the visit. All these we are going to miss from this great virtuous woman.
I join other well-meaning individuals to celebrate a great woman; indeed an amazon, my mother and friend. It is a thing of unquantifiable joy that this woman of steely disposition played very significant roles in my life, especially for raising the woman that I love and for instilling in her that uncommon strength of a prayerful life. Good night Maami.
Your Son-In-law, Prof. Ademola Aiyesanmi
Dearest Grandma, Unforgettable! That is what you were. You were such a rare gem. Your generosity, dedication, and devotion were unequalled. I thank God for your life grandma and the imperishable legacies you left behind. It is a privilege to all my own mama. SUN UN RE 0 MOFOLUWAKEADUNNI
Your granddaughter, Dr. Oluwadara Ayesanmi
Love you grandma – You truly were a special, special woman! You may have passed on, but your memories would always live on within us. Thank you for your sacrifices, your care and concern, your love and everything that you have done for me. Wherever you are, I know you are In a much better place.
-Oladoyin-Bamisayemi Lolade
TRIBUTE TO A MOTHER WHO GAVE HER AII
Oh my mother! I am yet to come to terms with the reality that you are gone forever. It looks surreal. However, I am consoled by the fact that you died a happy mother. You gave your all to ensure that your children turned out well in your lifetime. Though you were not educated but you spent everything you had to make sure I went to school. You even sold your clothes at a point in time. We lost my father when I was only three years old but you played the role of father and mother combined and the suffering you endured to raise my sister and I was beyond imagination. I take solace in the knowledge that you witnessed my glorious milestones like when I was elected the Chairman of Ife Central Local Government and twice into the House of Assembly, as well as when I was appointed as the Commissioner of Education in the State. I still remember the big smile on your face to see your Motherly effort on me yielding successful results.
I thank you mum and I pray that you rest peacefully in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.I miss you and I still cry every time I think about you. Good night Iya Aja. Farewell till we part no more.
From Folorunso Oladoyin (Aja)
Madam Foluke Oladoyin was not just a mother to Honorable Folorunsho Oladoyin and Mrs Funmilayo Aiyesanmi and their siblings, she was a mother, protector and guardian to all Oladoyin children. From the dark days following the loss of our dad until the last time I visited, she was the calm steady mother, who at every opportunity, inspired and cheered me on with her prayers. With her, I always felt special because she did not only support me with her prayers and best wishes, she also trusted me as a guardian
and mentor to my brother Folorunsho. Her sincere wishes and prayers always boosted my confidence and made me embrace my potential beyond the chaos and obstacles at hand. She was one of the uncommonly great mothers who, in spite of the difficulties and chaos, saw and nurtured our potentials for so many years and I thank the Lord that she lived to see her children and grandchildren grow and prosper. She was indeed blessed even as she was a great blessing to all of us. May her gentle soul rest in Peace
From Ayodele Oladoyin Bamisayemi…Tx, USA
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. You were an amazing mother-in-law. Thank you for your love, concern and care. I know you’re resting in God’s arms. Rest In Peace Mama. From Mrs Funke
–Oladoyin Bamisayemi
Iya Oluwa Kayode, baa Ie ilu Ogbagba, Oke Awo, sun re 00 Foluwake, Adunni, Iya rere, Oluku omo ree, Odigba, Odiarinako, Ipade di oju ala. Iyami, Iku redun miyeyeo, Ti o batun padawa ile aye, Ki owatu mi bi. Mo wo ke, Mo Wo Ode mi 0 ri Iya ti 0 dabi ire FOLUWAKE ADUNNI, Iya Rere, Odigba Odigbere, Sun ree 000. Mo wa wo ohun ti mo le fi 0 we larin awon abiyamo, mi 0 ri ju wipe YOU ARE THE BEST MOTHER OUT OF ALL MOTHERS IN THE WORLD. MY I RREPLACEABLE, REST ON, Goodbye FOLUKE ADUNNI mi.
Your Beloved Son,
–Chief Orewole Kayode.
Hon. Folorunso Oladoyin,
Commissioner, Ministry of Education,
Osun State,
Government Secretariat, Abere.
CONDOLENCE
Royal greetings from the House of Oduduwa.
I write to condole you on the return of your dear mother; Mama Foluke Adunni Adegbaju to the world beyond, after a life well spent.
I am filled with adorations to the Almighty Olodumare as I proudly note that the life and times of our beloved Mama Adegbaju, was dignified with teachings and lessons, especially on good living, learning, hardworking being a positive force in one’s immediate society and beyond, as well as leaving an enviable legacy as footprints on the earth surface for the upcoming generations.
She was a virtuous woman prominent for hard work diligence and other enviable virtues during her active days. This gem never forgot to be a committed family woman who nurtured her children, grandchildren and many other persons with teachings of good living, hard work and fear of God. These and other positive attributes made her an indispensable stakeholder to members of her immediate and extended families.
While we would have loved to have her with us further, I wish to implore you to consider her departure as a manifestation of the bitter truth that we all are living to leave this world, for a world beyond where we would give an account of our stewardship on earth. The best is for us to live a good life, like that of the much-celebrated Mama Foluke Adunni.
I hereby condole the Oladoyin-Bamisayemi and Adegbaju families of Ile-Ife, particularly my son; Hon. Folorunso Oladoyin (Commissioner, Ministry of Education, Osun), friends and associates of this great woman globally over her glorious exit, as I wish her an everlasting rest in the bosom of her creator.
Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula
Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,
Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife
LETTER OF CONDOLENCE
I received with shock, the sad news of the passing of your beloved mother, the late Madam Foluke Adegbaju, which sad event occurred on April 26, 2021. Please receive from me, the condolences of my family, the Government and the people of Osun at these difficult times. Though her exit is painful, I urge that, as a Christian, you be comforted by the fact that the Almighty God is the giver and taker of life. Her memory as a loving and doting mother whose firmness, discipline and encouragement shaped your life and those of your siblings and made you responsible members of the society is also enough solace and succour, indeed a source of gratitude for you.
The legacy of enterprise, entrepreneurship and service she left behind will always be a source of joy and pride for you and your posterity.
I pray God to grant her eternal rest and you all the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
Adegboyega Oyetola
Governor, Osun
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR
Condolences!
I sincerely commiserate with the families of Oladoyin-Bamisayemi and Adegbaju, over the passing of their matriarch, Madam Foluke Adunni Adegbaju, who passed unto the glory in April 2021.
Though Mama would be greatly missed by the entire household, friends and well-wishers, our consolation is therefore in the enviable and worthy life she lived while on earth.
I pray for the repose of her soul in the bosom of the Lord and utmost protection over those she left behind.
–Benedict Alabi
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