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What Her Children & Family Will Miss About Mama ILORIN
MUMMY – SWEET MOTHER!
I write this with some heaviness, but with a heart of gratitude to God for the gift of mummy. She was indeed a mother to all, caring, accommodating, strict and gentle at the same time. I am grateful for her care and tutelage; she lived by the example of what she taught us. Her generosity knew no bounds, extending far beyond material gifts to the giving of her time, wisdom, and invaluable lessons that shape character. She taught me the art of giving without expecting anything in return.
As I think about our journey together, my heart swells with gratitude. I am grateful for the gift of a mother whose love transcended biology, grateful for the lessons imparted, and grateful for a bond that time nor distance can ever diminish. I am also glad that Habib spent some time with her on his last visit
to Ilorin and he returned telling me he will go back soon to visit Grandma Ilorin. The Lord was kind to her, and she faced all life’s challenges with determination to overcome. I have borrowed from how I saw her live her life and I am the better for it. To my adoptive mother, whose love transformed my world, I offer this tribute-a symphony of gratitude, a mural of love, and a lifelong promise to carry forward the legacy of kindness and warmth you so beautifully bestowed upon me. Maami, e se gan ni, e ku itoju wa. Olorun ti fi Orun keeyin.Amin.
With love, ‘Lola
MAMA DOLA! LADY OF FELICITY, THE DUCHESS,
VICTORIOUS VIE TO THE VERY END. THIS IS NOT EASY
That Thursday afternoon, like every other, hmmm so I thought. ‘A very hot afternoon it is ‘you commented. Indeed a scorcher in so many ways .
You lay calmly on the couch watching your favourite TV channel, commenting on the programme. Left to pick up a call. The next moment … .1 called Mum! Mum!! Mum !!! CPR commenced, your lips were moving but I couldn’t hear you. Slowly you slipped away, into the realms of the saints.
Many close shaves you have had snake bite, motor accident, cardiac arrest, and the big C, you came our victorious. A virtuous woman, a nurse, a business mogul and farmer. Your skills too numerous to mention, your generosity astounding, kindness like no other. Mum you ran an excellent race, you bnished victorious. Joining the heavenly host, as you dance with Dad. So long Mum, miss you so much, rest in the bosom of our lord Jesus Christ.
–Dolapo Popoola-Ayoade. (Daughter)
THANK YOU LORD
FOR MUM
Dear mum, for God’s loving kindness and tender mercies towards you, for His ever enduring love for you, for His faithfulness unto you, for preserving you through all of life’s battles and challenges and giving you victory in all, for granting you fUllness of days, all I can say is “thank You LORD, great is Your faithfUlness”
Toyin
A LIFE LIVED IN FAITH, JOY, AND GENEROSITY: A TRIBUTE TO IYA MI
Mumsie (she says “dotsie”), mama mia (“omo mia”), Iya (“omo”), keeper of our childhood dreams, the woman who cradled our hopes in her heart. Her life was rich, full, and worthy. She made everything count for something – the good, the bad and the ugly. I am profoundly gratefUl to God for the gift that she was to us all. As I write this tribute, referring to her in the past tense, and as heartbroken as we have been, whispers of gratitude in acknowledgement of the indelible mark she has left in our family and community continue to emanate from deep within. Throughout her life, including seasons of challenges with illnesses and the passing of her beloved husband Nathaniel twenty two years ago, mum set an example in unconditional devotion, continued to teach us family value lessons, and retained her indomitable spirit. I am gratefUl for the privilege we had to celebrate her, for the joy of seeing all her grandchildren thriving and for the wellness ofher body, spiri t, and soul. We were planning her 87th birthday, not a burial, but when Bolaji recounts mum’s last few hours, I know she left us in the manner she had always prayed (as did our father), quick and simple – on her couch in the living room, watching TV, having organized dinner for the household.
There are way too many things I will miss – the little dance when she was happy about something, her standard “I am fine” response to my question about her general wellbeing, her wanting to know everything that is going on (oro ti e ni ki baba ma gbo), watching her do her daily devotion with such commitment, the after church phone calls to each child and grandchild – like clockwork, my time being about 3-35pm. Sunday afternoons have become a little difficult.
Missing her is a burden that will never go away, yet we will not grieve like those who do not have hope. She was an earthen vessel in whom God put such precious treasures. The vessel is broken (as it is expected to, eventually), the treasures retrieved by the Owner, to Himself.
An unknown author says “Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes, because for those who love wi th heart and soul there is no such thing as separation” .. There is another fellowship that we can look forward to in heaven, this, I am certain about. Thank you, iya mi atata, you did well. We will “get cracking” with whatever needs to be done, we will always make you (and dad) proud.
Thank You Lord, indeed You “gave me 22 years”, to do as I committed to, all those years ago. I am grateful.
Olajumoke {A-Jumskele) Akinwunmi
VICTORIOIS VICTORIA – SO FULL OF GRACE
My darling mother, so fUll of grace, the Lord our God was indeed with you. I am so gratefUl that I spent the last 2 weeks of your earthly life with you. This afforded me the opportunity to say many things that I wanted you to hear. What an exit though, mum! VICTORIOUS VICTORIA TILL THE END!! Akandaeniyan ni yin, ma! Thankyou, and good night mum, see you soon. Even so, come Lord Jesus !
–Mobolaji Adesoye
Your Yakabu
OUR BELOVED MATRIARCH
I write this tribute in honor of my mother, our beloved matriarch, and in praise of a virtuous and diligent mother who Feared the Lord and cared for her household, and in recognition of a mother’s excellence and surpassing worth by her children and (late) husband.
My words can’t express the extent of the significance and positive role of my mother in my life. All through her life, she demonstrated the virtues and wisdom of total reliance and faith in God, dogged determination, positivity, hope and courage, even in the face of the gravest adversity such as when she faced cancer 22 years ago and survived. There were other occasions she faced life altering adversities where Divine provisions of grace, inner strength, and resilience were lessons I observed and will always hold dear as the way of the warrior and survivor. She was an embodiment of the adage that “what does not kill you only makes you stronger”. My mother would readily suffer personal discomfort in other to accommodate everyone around her. She treated everyone with such kindness, and always found reasons to be nurturing and upbeat in all situations. These attributes never diminished her forthright, honest, and candid (brutal and unfiltered most times) but above all, a loving disposition.
I speak from privileged conversations with my late dad and my personal observations, that my mother was also my father’s partner and true friend … .loyal, supportive, encouraging, pillar of strength, always acting in unison (growing up, my siblings and I didn’t like that at all ra ra …. today, we are blessed, better off and thankful), faithful, and always present. My mother was a source oflove and affection, a patient, understanding, supportive.forgiving, humble, compassionate, gentle, thankful, kind and a wonderful role model.
Unique, precious, and irreplaceable. I am indeed extremely fortunate to be her son. I end with a quote by D. Garcia “If roses grow in heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me, place them in my mother’s arms, and tell her they’re from me.” Thank you, my sweet mother. Ayole ….. .forever, and till the end of eternity, you are in my heart.
–Omololu (Jimi)
Dearest Iya …
Iya, Iya as I used to call you (to which you would reply, Omo, Omo) Ayole akin (to which you would reply … Ni enu e) … ! I never thought for one minute that I would be writing this tribute to you at this time, seeing as I saw no indication of the impending … even as you bantered with me, 3 hours before you departed, still, in all.. . .I am thankful and most grateful to God for all the years that we spent together on this side of eternity … You were a formidable force, a fiercely loving Mother and an outstanding person with a huge, huge heart…Your hospitality was second to none.
Thank you for all the love, admonition, correction, advise, the laughs (your sense of humour was unparalled), the prayers and all the effort that you ( and Dad) put into each one of us, your biological children and also those to whom, you were Mum … Rest in God’s perfect peace, Mother Dearest.. .. Rejoice with your husband, worship your Maker, fellowship with the Saints … For you live on .. .in the Heavenly realm … joined with the cloud of witnesses …
Sleep well in the bosom of God … Till we meet to part no more … I love you for forever and a day
–Omotayo LawaI
Your baby
TRIBUTE TO MY MUM-IN-LAW
Today I express my profound gratitude to God for giving me a mother in law who was indeed a mother in Israel to every one of us. Your love for people was genuine and palpable and I did experience this, right £Tom the first day I met you. You welcomed me with open hands into the family and was always lending a helping of generosity at all times ,while being appreciative ot little acts of kindness from anyone. Observing you ,I learnt the virtues of contentment, hardwork and an unflinching faith in God which could explain why you flourished even at old age. What I do really miss is your wisdom and a “no airs approach” to life.
You seemed simple to a fault but therein lay the secret of your strength which made you victorious and able to surmount the leadership challenges fate thrust on you right from childhood. I would have wished to have more years with you on this side of eternity. But God had a better plan. 1 did not realise that the discussions I had with you in November 2023 and the prayers you prayed for me were the last words I will ever hear £Tom you. But I still hold dear your words of counsel to me at all times. Mumsie .rest in peace. I love you.
–Chimezie Ezebuike (Son-In-Law)
TRIBUTE TO A REMARKABLE WOMAN
MY WONDERFUL MOTHER-IN-LAW
The departure of “Grandma Friday” as i fondly called her In response to her typical wit in coining the nickname for me, “Baba Friday”, leaves a void in me that can never be filled, but her enduring love, wisdom, and grace will forever resonate in my heart.
I pay tribute to a truly remarkable woman who not only blessed my life but also became a mother figure. From the moment I met her over 30 (thirty) years ago, she welcomed me with open arms to demonstrate a love that transcended the boundaries of blood ties and turned our relationship into an unbreakable bond reminiscent of the one between a mother and her child. In celebrating her life, I reflect upon the immense impact she had on my life and the countless memories we shared. Her resilience in the face of life’s challenges and capacity to overcome them serves as an inspiration to me.
As a mother and grandmother she lived a life rich in love and she enriched our own lives with unwavering kindness and selflessness through her incredible ability to create and nurture a unique relationship with each person within the family. As I bid farewell to my beloved mother-in-law, I find solace in the knowledge that she is at peace in a better place, reunited with loved ones who have gone before her. Her legacy lives on within me and my family. She was not just a wonderful woman, she was a true mother, a grandmother, a confidan te, and a friend.
Rest in peace, dear Grandma Friday, our very own Duchess of Felicity. Your love will forever be our guiding light.
–Seyi Akinwunmi (Baba Friday)
Your Son
GOODNIGHT MUMMY
I could not have asked for a better Mother-in-law, and I thank God for bringing you my way. I thank God, that you were able to be a mother to so many of us. We are missing you so much right now, but we thank God, that we are also being comforted.
As we say goodnight mummy, I know that you are in a place where the mornings are everlasting. So I say good night mummy and also good morning.
–Oluwagbemiga Adesoye- (Son-in-Law)
GRANDMA OF LIFE
With 2023 winding down, I was planning to wish you a happy new year and looking forward to you wishing me a happy birthday on the 3rd of January a you have done over the last two decades. I never envisaged I would be wri ting th is eulogy so soon. Indeed, I had no inkling it will be good night, as I did not see, nor feel it coming. In the suddenness of it all, I choose co give Glory to God who has the exclusive jurisdiction over the scope called time.
I thank him for a life well lived, one of purpose, dedication and selflessness co humanity. One of incredible impact in the lives of those you knew and those who knew you. You are truly victorious
Vie, as you were transported to the heaven lies like Prophet Elijah, and yours was a unique transition fi’om one realm of glory to another realm of glory.
A philosopher once wrote that the entirety of a man’s life is contained in the dash in between the date of birth and the date of death] 1937-2023). He said the dash as small as it is, represents the
total of what people will say when the clock of the person’s life scops ticking on earth. Your dash from my experience was so loaded, that I will struggle to express it in five hundred words.
29 years ago, I met your baby(Omotayo) as you choose to call her, and I had to do the traditional family visit, as J was set co take your baby’s hand in marriage. Over the years, I have come to admire your love for family, your children, in laws, grandchildren, workfcouldn’t get over your frequent visits co the farm to check your cows, Pigs) and your love for your pets.
Your legacy will remain evergreen, a joy of many generations. Our real bonding during your stay with us in the UK. I was always at home with you, when Omotayo would have gone to work. Your usual breakfast was bacon and eggs, and as your chef I became an expert at making it as you never changed that request which made my life easy. I will miss your sense of humour and the banter exchange between you and your baby, where your baby calls you on first name basis and you will respond “lenu rc”? (In your mouth”) to which your baby will reply yes, le nu mi. I will miss the frantic default phone calls to me when you are unable to reach Ornotayo on her line. After the very short pleasantries quickly following is ………. Funsho Iyawo re da? (Funsho where is your wife-n 1 have been calling her she is not picking. Your words co me on our wedding day will continue to echo in my cars for a lifetime. You said Funsho “Look after her for she is my baby, nothing untoward must happen co her”. Ornorayo said Mum, 1 am no longer a baby to which you replied, you will forever be my baby. Grandma be assured by the election of God’s grace nothing untoward will happen co “our” baby”.
Let me conclude with the comforting words of scripture, that to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Heaven has gained Grandma, and we will forever cherish the memories of the exciting times we
shared with you, as we look back and thank God, we look forward and trust God into the future. E sun re 000000 mama, orun re reo
–Olufunsho Lawal
Our midday walks, filled with laughter and shared stories, are etched in my mind as precious treasures. These things, I will never forget. You have lived a great life and now you’re with God you can rest easy. With love,
–Ademide Popoola
Although I was very very little when I first met Grandma, I can remember little bits of pieces of her. Specifically the songs she would sing to me while taking care of me as well as the walks we shared as my siblings pushed me in my stroller and while she walked beside me holdingmy little hand. I love her very much and will miss her very much.
– Iremide Popoola
Dear Grandma, Thank you for being my Grandma. I will never forget how weer, kind and loving you were to me … I always looked forward to your Sunday afternoon video calls! I want you to know that your “Uncle Fifi” as you call me misses you so much, thank you for those sweet memories with me. As r told my Mum on that day, 1 know that you are in Heaven. I love you, Grandma and you will forever be in my heart. Rest in peace, Grandma.
From your dear
–Morifihanoluwa “Fifi” Lawal
TRIBUTE TO MY BIG MUMMY
In the tapestry of our lives, there are individuals who weave threads of love, guidance, and unwavering support. Today, I pay tribute to a remarkable woman, my big mummy, who not only embraced the responsibility of nurturing and shaping not just one, but two young souls-my sister and I but adorned it with grace, compassion, and an abundance oflove.
As I look back on my early formative years, a vivid image of mummy Ilorin emerges-a beacon of strength and a source of endless warmth. I would never forget one evening as she helped me prepare For my exams of which Yoruba was one of the subjects the next day. After the exam 1 told her it was words and it’s opposite and how I had smashed it. Fast Forward to when the paper came out and mummy looked through, she then saw my answer for the opposite of ‘Iyawo’ was ‘babawo’ (which technically till today I still stand by). Oh mummy’s laughter, that melody laugh echoed through the living room. She never let me live it down every time she saw me.
Her sacrifices were silent, her efforts often unnoticed, but the love she poured into our lives starting fi·om.her siblings who she took care of and then us her additional babies, has left an indelible mark. I am filled with gratitude for the gin of an extraordinary mother and this tribute is a humble acknowledgment of the debt of love and gratitude I owe co her-a debt that can never truly be repaid, but one that I carry in my heart with utmost appreciation and love. Sleep well my mummy Forest road. Love always.
Your Chatterbox
–Oyinda Eyitayo
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