Adieu, Olawunmi Mary Obisesan (1943-2015)

IT was exactly 2pm on September 3, this year that I got a distress call from my sister that my mother had been rushed to the hospital. Immediately, I started to clear my table with the intention of going to the hospital to ascertain the state of her health since I had never been called upon to come around even when she had to be taken to the hospital.

An hour later, I was with my boss to get his permission to go and see her, which he granted. I quickly left the office and was headed to the hospital when my sister called me again to inform that my mum peacefully breathed her last at exactly 3.00pm.

Olawunmi was born 72 years ago to the family of the late Mr. and Mrs. Adegbite of Igbaroke clan in Iloro Village, Akoko North West Local Government, Ondo State. She was the second child among three siblings.

Although some prevailing circumstances back then blighted her chances of acquiring formal education, she learnt a great deal from the electronic media. She also made conscious effort to read the Yoruba bible regularly in her spare time and underwent several educative workshops and workers training activities at New Creature Evangelical Church where she stood out as a passionate and consummate preacher of the gospel of Christ.

Olawunmi braved harrowing situations to fend for her family and ensured that all her children became graduates and successful in life. The six of them namely Akinwumi, Olayemi, Mopelola, Abiodun, Olalekan and Abidemi, who survived her, are professionals in their chosen areas of human endeavours today.

According her brother and family spokesperson, Mr. Adediran Makoyawo, a retired Naval officer, a service of songs will hold in her honour on Thursday, October 8, 2015 5.30pm at 28 Emordi Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos (near Coconut bus-stop) while her remains would be laid to rest at her house, Ajibogun Site, Iju Ota, along Idi-Iroko Road Ogun State on Friday, October 9, 2015, after a funeral service at her residence at Ilogbo road by Love Bus-stop, along Idi-Iroko road, Ogun State at 10am.