Eko Club Arcade at Surulere witnessed an unusual large crowd on Sunday, 15th March, 2020, when Alhaja Wosifat Omolabake Tinubu (nee Danmole) celebrated what she tagged: Allah’s Faithfulness @ 80. She is a celebrity matriach from Lagos Island. She revealed her story at the event.
“I am Wosifat Omolabake Abeo, born on Saturday, 9th March, 1940, as the second and last child of my parents, who both hailed from Lagos Island.Alhaji Buraimo Mobolaji Danmole, my father hailed from the popular Danmole family of then Victoria Street, now Moshalashi Jimoh, and my mother, Alhaja Sinatu Ashake Danmole (nee Oshodi) came from Epetedo, while her maternal side is from Danmole’s family of Tokunbo by Oil mill. May Allah continue to grant them Aljanat Fidaus. I thank God for my elder brother, who happens to be my only sibling, Alhaji Lukmon Kayode Danmole, the first child of our parents. He lives in London, despite the distance, we are very close. We talk on phone regularly, may Allah bless him. A kore oko dele Insha Allah. I want to place on record that, I grew up in Salvador Compound, Brazilian quarters, Campos Square. Let me at this moment, remember my mother, who was one of the very loyal and dedicated members of egbe Panla (Action Group) at that time, while most people in the area were in egbe Ponlo (NCNC).She joined Action Group and made efforts to ensure that members of the other parties embrace her party. With her efforts, people in areas like Lewis, Sandgrouse and its environs finally joined the Action Group. She was loved by the late sage, Baba Obafemi Awolowo for her loyalty and steadfastness. Iya mi, omo Obinja, ara Ilodo.Orun reo.
EDUCATION
At the age of 7, my father enrolled me at Mrs Bucknor’s School, Ireti Primary School Anikantamo, a very popular school in the neighborhood. The school is now at Turton Street off Lewis Street, Lagos where I passed my standard six examination in 1953.
My mother’s love for education was exhibited when she didn’t want me to stop at Standard Six and spoke with to my father. I later proceeded to Girls Modern Academy, Igbosere, opposite Holy Cross and St.Peter’s School, Lagos where I spent another six years and I obtained my modern school certificate in 1959.
MARITAL LIFE
In 1961, at age 21, I left the shores of Nigeria as a spinster for the proverbial greener.pastures as well as to meet my fiance, Alhaji Musedik Kehinde Tinubu from Tinubu family of Kakawa, Lagos Island who left the shores a year earlier, for London. It was then we got our parents’ consent and this led to our marriage in 1962. I thank Almighty Allah, the marriage is blessed with godly Children. Ka sa maa dupe Folorun ninu ohun gbogbo. Alhamidulilahi. I want to thank my husband, Alhaji Musedik Kehinde Tinubu, for his love and for giving me peace of mind. My prayer is that, Almighty Allah will give him sound health.
WORK LIFE
On my arrival in London in 1962, I went for short courses in sales and marketing (Witman) and these qualified me to work in underlisted places among others.
Fowls bookshop @ Marble Arch.UK as Sales Assistant, Bornes &Holisworth at Tottenham court road (Clothiers) as UK Sales Assistant and later Lyons’s Stores as a Cashier. We came back to Nigeria on a New Year’s Eve in 1965 and since then I have been in business until a few years ago when I stopped and decided to take care of my family especially my grandchildren, who are always around me.
RELIGIOUS LIFE
In my modest way, as a devoted Muslim, I have tried to promote Islam and display exemplary conduct, which contributed to my being chosen as Iya Adinni of Daru wadh Islamic foundation of Nigeria. Oluwa Tosin Mosque at Ajoke Dosunmu Str, Surulere.
SOCIAL LIFE
I love a quiet life. although I have friends. mostly childhood friends. Some were my classmates in school, some of them we met in London some in the mosque. and some have passed on. I pray that Allah grants the souls of the departed Aljanat Fidaus.
Let me mention a few of my friends, who are still living. My childhood friend, Alhaja Simbiat Agbalajobi. (nee Aro) from Kenku family of Okepopo, a retired civil servant and an agriculturist. She retired from Lagos state public service as Permanent Secretary. Mrs Iyabo Williams (nee Ogunbiyi) Alhaja Iyabo Onigbanjo (nee Ashafa) Alhaja Shakirat Agora. Mrs Sheri Makanju •Alhaja Adetutu Kadiri and Mrs. Fatile JP, my friend and neighbour. We are always together. I won’t forget the late (Mrs) Ramota Oki nee Sekoni. Special Appreciation to my husband. Alhaji Musedik Omokehinde Tinubu. Ejire Oyila …Omo OIodo ide. omo afide sopo ile. I thank him very much for his love and care. again.1 pray that Allah will bless him with sound health. Insha Allah. To my cousin, Hon. Nureni Ade Oshodi. my paddy paddy and his wife. Islamiyah nee Fahm • God bless you for your care of all my cousins. My nephew Sheriff Adio Danmole. Family members. I cannot mention all their names, but I recognise all of them. the Danmoles.
Danmoles. Oshodis and awon oko mi, the Tinubus. I appreciate all my children. Kafilat Tosin Adunni Badejo. Fatimat Modupeola Ashake Oyeneye. Raolat Owolabi Ajike Amodu and Kafayat. Lukman. Olawale and my children from my husband’s late twin brother, Sodik Taiwo Tinubu:-Mariam of blessed memory. Toyin. Sheni. Hajarat. Aishat. Islamiat. Wasiu. Shakur. lyabo for taking good care of us as parents, omo a toju yin. May Allah bless you and all the grandchildren from Bobo Oseni, my first grand child, Omotolani Oluwaseyi Scot. and others gbogbo yin a dagba. E dogbo.e ju mi lo pelu Alafia ati ara lile. 1 want to implore you all to be humble. respect elders. guide your children on virtuous conduct. No matter the circumstances, stay with them. E ranti omo eni ti e nse, bibire ko se fowo ra. Insha Allah, you will continue to grow higher in good health and peace of mind. To all my in laws… Badejo’s Oyeneyes and Amodus. E se, mo dupe. E ku itoju. All other well wishers.1 appreciate you all. Ayo Ie ma ba dele yin o. Mo dupe pupo, I clocked 80 years precisely on Monday, 9th March,2020 but today as you are all gathered here at Eko Club to honour me with your presence and rejoice with me. IREAYO KO NI TAN NILE GBOGBO WA O. Ameen. Ese pupo. Alhamdulilahi!
