Through the grace of God, Mama (Mrs.) Cecilia Adefunke Oladini Obembe – The Iyale of Lojaroko Compound in Ilode, Ile-Ife was born in Ile-Ife, Osun State of Nigeria on August 4, 1935 to the family of Late Pa. John & Maria Eluwami Awogbade of Labata Compound in Iredumi Quarters of Ile-Ife. She did her baptismal at S.S Peter &Pauls’ Catholic Church, Lagere, Ife in 1946 when she took her first holy communion under Rev. Fr. Daly. She grew up with her aunt Mama Elutinpo Awofolaju of Aguro Compound up to her adolescence, where she learnt trading in nearby towns and communities on foot from Ife. She was the fourth and the only female of her mother- the three brothers being Late Pa Fidelis Adediwura, Philip Ademola and Jacob Olasode. She was well loved by these three and her stepbrother and sister (Late Mama Awa and Pa. Taye Omishakin) that facilitated us as Mama’s children growing up with some of our maternal uncles and cousins like Late Albert Adediwura, Gabriel Oyewole and Titus Adeboye.
She later got married to Late Pa. Gabriel Oladini Obembe - one of the numerous sons of Pa. Elusiyan Obembe (Erebese of Ife) in Lojaroko compound in 1953. After marriage, Mama continued in her trading at Oja Ife (Ife Market) during which we hawked for her after school hours and at weekends to make ends meet. Her business was to support the education of her children, unfortunately the meagre income limited this and placed a huge burden on her husband (Late Pa. Gabriel Oladini) an astute resourceful transporter.
Fondly called Iya Mori, Iya Ayo and Iya Aina, depending on who was addressing her. She nurtured her three surviving children through thick and thin. She was to us, typically like the mother- hen which protects her chicks from ‘hawks of life’ almost at the cost of her live. This also extended to her nephews, nieces, cousins, from her paternal family and others who grew up under her support from her matrimonial home. This nurturing is today highly visible, in the number of children, grand-children, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, stepsons, stepdaughters, and in-laws that survived Mama Cecilia through the grace of God.
Mama Cecilia is noted and will be fondly remember for her discipline posture-a trait very many have misconstrued as unbending/unyielding during her lifetime. She does not look at anyone in the face before making her impartial judgements. This has brought her into direct confrontation with very many people and she never backed down. She was always a voice for the weak, voiceless- if you like, an unsung activist for the defenseless. A vivid and unforgettable experience was in Ife Teaching hospital in 1982, where she took one of her grandsons for medical attention. Unknown to the Medical Record attendant that Mama took notice of those she met and those who came after her. The Record attendant got the shock of his life when Mama confronted him, asked why he was giving undue advantage to those friends and family that came for consultation at the expense of those who came earlier. She called the Attendant Mr. Wicked (Mr. Ika) and demanded and apology for the rest of the patient.
If Mama had the opportunity to attend a formal school, she would have been more widely known or acclaimed for her orderly presentation of speech and impeccable judgements. She was highly cerebral, witty and can hardly tolerate mediocrity. I have had several opportunities to listen to her at family meetings and her submissions could win a ‘Supreme Court Case’. She would pick English words from news and sometimes from those words spoken by her grand-children and relay them in a manner that will make you almost crack your ribs with laughter. She was a giver to the core- we had on several occasions ‘lost’ our last meal to either a neighbor or family member who came to her for help, without any hope of our getting one, except on credit! All these have rubbed off, on all her children- justice, fairness, sacrificial actions, and painful giving to the poor/needy.
Spiritually, we grew up to know her as a prayerful mother. Her spiritual life was fervent with daily prayers and hope for a better life. Until her death, she paid tithe and would cover her head when listening to prayer program on the media. In 1973, she was baptized by emersion at Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Moore, Ife. Mama was honored in Churches as Iya Ijo (The Mother of the Church) and as Matron of the Good Women in some local churches within her residence. She spent the later part of her life attending the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Abuja where she lived with one of her children before the Call to glory!
Mama spent the last few months of her life under intensive care of her first child/daughter, Mrs. Esther Morisade Adeyinka. She lived a fulfilled life, and we pray, that her attainment of 86 years, will be the least by any member of the family, if Jesus tarries, in Jesus name. (Amen)
We part to meet at the feet of Jesus in Jesus name.
Mrs. Morisade Adeyinka & Family
Ayo Oladini & family
Mrs. Victoria Aina Adejumo & family
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