Oyenike Fatungase-Michael Ibru: A pious lady returns home

She finished everything she needed to do during her sojourn on Earth and she departed quietly to meet her Maker at the turn of the Year 2019.Dr. (Mrs.) Oyenike Fatungase-Michael Ibru, a quintessential lady whose rich variegated life- style is a study of the sublime, fulfilled everything her Creator designed for her from when she was born on June 12, 1934.

Oyenike had seen it all: She married the love of her life, Olorogun Michael Christopher Onajirevbe Ibru, who later became very wealthy and famous; she was survived by a daughter, Christiana Ibru, several step-children and grand-children including Olorogun (Dr.) Oskar Christopher James Ibru, (JP) and his siblings.

Rev. Mother Oyenike Michael-Ibru was born into the family of Fatungase with a “privileged beginning” and was raised in the home of equally wealthy Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony. After she married Olorogun Michael Ibru, she was present as the Ibru conglomerate grew. She confirmed that her husband was the first distributor to sell tomato puree, cement, and off course, frozen fish.

According to her, Iyatiti as she was popularly called, separated from her husband but it was not a divorce. “I just decided to stay away from him.”During their marriage, her vivacious spirit would not allow her to remain “a housewife” who sits at home, but went out to work in various establishments. She even set up a thriving advertising agency, the first female in Nigeria to do so. She also worked in a bank, Banque De L’ Afrique Occidentale, which later became Afribank Plc. When she had seen it all she decided to face her spiritual life fully, by a Divine call.

She founded a spiritual church in 1975 named: God’s Glorious Shining Star Church Cherubim and Seraphim (Ijo Irawo Ogo Olorun Ntan).She was licenced and became a lay reader and preacher in the African Church in 1978 – the first female to hold such a position. She was also a trustee of the African Church Arch Cathedral Bethel Church, Broad Street, Lagos. It was because of her religious activities that she was awarded a doctorate degree of “Divinity” by an American University in 1998.

Oyenike readily admited that her meeting the late Olorogun Michael C. O. Ibru changed her life completely for the better and if given a second coming to this world, she would marry Michael Ibru once more.

In accordance with her last wishes, Iyatiti was laid to rest on the same day that she passed on to glory at Ikoyi, Lagos, in the presence of family members, friends, well-wishers and all and sundry. May her soul rest in perfect peace, in the bosom of the Lord.Friday, January 4, 2019 is a day that would never be forgotten and should be celebrated with thanks and praises for the life of Oyenike Fatungase-Michael Ibru, which in all ramifications, was well spent.