•The Story Of Former NCWS President, Lady HILDA
It is no longer news that Lady Hilda Joanne Adefarasin, died on Sunday, February 5th, 2023 at the age of 98. She would be remembered for her selflessness, boldness to confront the status quo, and legacy as a Women’s rights activist.
Aside from her professional life, Lady Adefarasin was an accomplished family person and mother of Pastor Wale Adefarasin, Adebola Adefarasin, Yinka Ogundipe, Micheal Adeyemi Adefarasin and Pastor Paul Adefarasin (2 of whom are accomplished ministers of the Gospel).
Her death came days after she marked her 98th birthday and weeks after Pastor Paul Adefarasin, her last born, celebrated his 60th birthday.
Lady Adefarasin had earlier lost her husband, Justice Joseph Adetunji Adefarasin, a former Chief Judge of Lagos State, in 1989.
While celebrating her 98th birthday back in January, Pastor Paul Adefarasin wrote:
“Today, my siblings, my family and I pause for a moment and join everyone who knows and loves you to celebrate a true heroine on her 98th birthday.
I am certainly most grateful to God for keeping you not only alive to witness another year but for also keeping you well to know the blessings of watching all your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren flourish in their various roles and stations.
Thank you Mummy for being so selfless, an enormous example and a powerful illustration of what it means to be a virtuous woman in the fast-paced nature of modern-day society.
Your love for everyone you come in contact with continues to be worth emulating and today and every day, I celebrate and honour you for who you are and all you do.
It is my prayer that God adds life to your years and years to your life with His divine strength, love, joy and the peace that passes all understanding.
Enjoy your new year knowing that we love you dearly.
Happy birthday, Mummy.”
Lady Adefarasin used to be the president of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS). An accomplished nurse, she left her nursing profession in 1969 to concentrate on professional activities of the NCWS. In 1971, she was the council’s treasurer and in 1987, she became the president.
She successfully led the women’s group to do its bit in breaking the yoke of patriarchy in our society.
Confirming the death of the nonagenarian in a social media post, the General Overseer of Guiding Light Assembly, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, the eldest of herchildren, wrote: “Mummy! It is with a mixture of both sadness and joy that we celebrate the passing to glory of our mother at the age of 98. She lived a long and fulfilled life. My siblings and I celebrate her life, her achievements, and all that she stood for in our lives and in the lives of so many others that she touched.”
On his part, the Prelate and Metropolitan Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, wrote:
“We thank the Almighty God for the life of our mother, Mrs. Hilda Joanne Adefarasin (nee Petgrave), who passed unto glory peacefully in her home, on the evening of Sunday. As we reflect with gratitude over the illustrious life of service led by Mrs. Hilda Joanne Adefarasin as she parented her children, doted over her husband, and impacted generations and communities, we are reminded of her unwavering love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
“We covet your prayers and ask that you do allow us these initial days to grieve privately. Obsequies, venue for condolence visits and visiting hours will be announced soon.”
The nonagenarian is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Tributes have been pouring in since the announcement of the death of Lady Adefarasin, the matriarch of the Adefarasin family.
President Muhammadu Buhari sent a condolence message to the family in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Monday, February 6th, 2023.
The President urged the family to build on the legacies of the late NCWS President.
The statement specifically reads: “The President recalls that the late Adefarasin’s passion for helping the vulnerable and less privileged which manifested early in her professional life as a Nurse, continued to resonate through her whole existence, using every resource at her disposal to further this worthy cause.
“President Buhari notes that her roles as an activist and campaigner for the rights of women and their empowerment defined the National Council of Women Societies where she was President, among other positions, making the Council the most potent voice for women advocacy in Nigeria today.
“The President urges the children, especially the Metropolitan Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, to build on the foundation laid by their mother in using their godly platforms to make positive impacts on humanity.”
Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has also condoled with the family.
In a statement on his official Twitter handle on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023, he said he is saddened to hear of the death of Lady Adefarasin.
Though she had trained and practiced as a nurse, he said, “It was her headship of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) that defined her selflessness and commitment to the cause of the vulnerable in our society.”
Abubakar noted that the deceased lived a fulfilled life and was an exemplary role model not only for young girls and women but also for all patriotic Nigerians.
The former vice president also said Adefarasin’s contribution with the Political Bureau under Gen. Babangida is noted in history, where she will forever be remembered as “a champion of women’s rights”.
He prayed to God to grant her eternal rest and give her family and friends the fortitude to bear the loss.
Aside from the nation, the NCWS, her fellow nurses, and her kids, the late nonagenarian enjoyed fantastic relationships with her daughters- in-law as seen from the Instagram post by Ifeanyi Adefarasin, the co-Pastor of House on the Rock and wife of Pastor Paul Adefarasin.
She made the following observations about the late Mrs Hilda Victoria Joanne Adefarasin – née Petgrave (1925 – 2023) in her post:
‘Mummy’ as we all fondly called you…I miss you so much already.
From the first day I was introduced to you, I knew I had met a quintessential matriarch who would mother me, strengthen me and support me; these you certainly did, and much more….
You taught me, coached me, nursed me, midwifed me, cheered me and gave @pauladefarasin and I the foundation we needed as a young couple to thrive. Ha, Mummy, you accepted me and loved me as your own. You accepted my family and loved them as your own.
You taught me so much about life and your culture, and those lessons have stayed with me and are passed on to my daughter, Hilda – your namesake. I am so glad and proud that our paths crossed. I am filled with so much joy that I experienced you, for over 29 years you were our rock, our unifier, our Mum.
I am happy that you knew how I felt about you in your lifetime, and nothing changes this. I cried when I heard of your passing and I know I will for many days to come as plans evolve for your next phase.
The tears represent so many things but the most important of them…that I got to call you ‘Mummy’; that I was more than a daughter-in-law, and was your daughter, your girl, your Ifeanyi.
Sleep on Mummy as your legacy continues to live.
Auf Wiedersehen.”
So, who is Lady Hilda Adefarasin, a quintessential woman whose death has birthed an outpouring of grief?
Hilda Adefarasin was born in Lagos to the family of Wilfred and Ethel Petgrave in 1925. Her father worked with the Nigerian Railway in Lagos; both parents are of Caribbean descent.
Adefarasin attended CMS Girl’s School Lagos. She also attended Achimota College, Ghana. In 1945, she became pupil-midwife with Massey Street Hospital but in 1948, she traveled to England for further training where she qualified as a registered nurse in 1951.
In 1960, she was a founding member and secretary of the Professional Association of Trained Nurses of Nigeria and soon joined the National Council of Women’s Societies as a representative of nurses. In 1971, she became the council’s treasurer and was in the position until 1980.
In 1984, Lady Adefarasin succeeded Justice Nzeako as president of NCWS. Her selection continued a string of educated elite women presidents of NCWS and she felt the forum was an association of varied women with diverse professional interests who create awareness for women’s recognition in national life and nation building.
The NCWS during her tenure promoted an Expanded Programme on Immunization and operational theatres for young girls with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).
Lady Adefarasin was one out of two women who were nominated by President Ibrahim Babangida as members of the 1986 Political Bureau.
There’s no doubt about the fact that the late nonagenarian lived a full and long life. And, her kids made her last days pleasurable. She was celebrated to high heavens when she clocked 90 in 2015.
Pastor Paul Adefarasin held a special Thanksgiving Service for her in his church. The service was presided over by Pastor E. A Adeboye and attended by friends and family of the late Lady Adefarasin.
In her last days, the beautiful and graceful Mrs Hilda Adefarasin lived a quiet life but granted Moments With Mo an interview on the secrets to longevity of life and life expectancies across the world.
This episode which also featured Pa Sadela and Mama H.I.D Awolowo was aired in December 2010 on MNet West Africa.
There’s no doubt about the fact that the late Lady Adefarasin was an institution.Her greatest achievement can be gleaned from her children who’re all doing well in life. She truly lived a fulfilled life and impacted her generation in so many ways. She cannot be forgotten in a hurry! She’ll be sorely missed!
– IYABO OYAWALE
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