•What Most Sup. Evang. OYEGBAMI Said About Her
On Tuesday 16th July, 2019, popular Lagos society woman, Yeye Atinuke Anike Abioro and her siblings celebrated the 10th year remembrance of her mum, madam Aduke Popoola at Tyttlo Events Centre along CMD Road, Magodo GRA, Phase 2. It was a colourful event as all the major celebrity women in Lagos turned up in Powder Blue & Pink, the colour code.
At the classy party, Most Sup Evang (PRO) M.O. Oyegbami spoke about late Madam Aduke Popoola. Below are the excerpts of the lecture.
The Theme of this talk is Who is a mother?
It was a little over 10 years ago that our Mama, Madam Raliaru Aduke Popoola departed this sinful world to join the Saints Triumphant as a celebrity, a mother indeed!!!
It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to be asked to deliver a Memorial Anniversary Lecture in honour of a worthy woman, a mother, who came, saw and contributed her quota to this world to the best of her God-gifted ability. Again, the topic chosen for this anniversary lecture is highly befitting for this occasion, as it poses a big question to womanhood with a view to admonishing ourselves for better living and better performance of our role as mothers.
I will therefore crave your indulgence to be with me as I try to deal with the topic, touching on the Biological, Spiritual, Societal and Biblical relationship of a mother to child; and how well our mother, Raliatu performed her role in this regard while she was alive and charged to do so as a sweet mother – her children call her blessed, her husband praise her
(Prov.31:28; 14:1).
Indeed, there are many women in this world but there are just a few mothers. There is a world of difference between a woman and a mother. Broadly defined: A woman is just an adult female human being, a mother, on the other hand: is known to be a female biological parent or a child. Theologically or say Spiritually, a mother is referred to as a virtuous woman, that is, a woman with additional quality. A mother is an exceptional woman who is a rare person full of virtue, trustworthy, industrious, organized, caring and loving. Someone who perfectly takes care of her home, sober, faithful in all things not slanderers and who does not gossip, back-bite or engage in any corrupt activities – 1 Tim. 3:11. A mother is a strong home builder; a strong home keeper; a strong home guide; a strong church builder; a reflector; a nurturer; a subtle disciplinarian; an enhancer (1 Tim. 5: 14; Titus 2:5). A special woman (Quran 3:43); a Dedicated Woman (Quran 66:13) an honest woman (Quran 5: 76).
In the main, therefore, we are today celebrating exceptional (Womanhood) – Motherhood in our Mama Raliatu Popoola. – Sweet Mother, I no go forget you, for the suffer wey you suffered for me.
For this reason, every woman should strive to be a mother and not a mere woman, i.e. should be a virtuous woman. The Bible described a virtuous woman as someone “whose price is far above rubies, the heart of whose husband doth safely trust in her ….. her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praiseth her”- Provo 31: 10,11,28.
Today, therefore, marks a great day in the life of the Popoola family as we are celebrating our Mother – Madam Raliatu Aduke, who was the Vessel that the Almighty God used, biologically, to deliver our highly respected Yeye Atinuke Abioro – Paul said about the biological lineage concerning Timothy: “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwell first in your grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that it is in you also”(2 Tim. 1: 5). Therefore the parental background of any child always has an enormous influence on whatever the child is to become in his/her life.
Becoming a mother is to become an exceptional woman and this should be the goal of every woman in this our time. Being a mother is the heartbeat of God for all women, so as to be able to positively impact on the society at large as role models through whom the much desired societal reforms and moral improvement would be achieved from one generation to the other generation (Isa.60: 15).
Furthermore, today, we are indeed celebrating EXEPTIONALITY in our Mama Raliatu Popoola. For this presentation, therefore, it may be worthwhile to expand the word EXCEPTIONAL to drive home the points and emphasize on the need to be an exceptional woman as a Mother and not an ordinary woman and relate the expansion to fit into our Mama Raliatu’s character: As a true Mother, Mama Raliatu Aduke Popoola was: E – Exemplary in her living; X – Extra-ordinary in her service to God; C – Courageous in dealing with difficult issues; E – Empathetic to the plight of others; P – Passionate about the welfare of her family and everyone she comes by; T – Tolerant, she always considers other people’s views on issues; I – Innovative, always ready to inject new methods or ideas to better lots; O – Obedient, which is what God wants from any good person of faith; N – Nurturer, building up the gift and grace of God in many people’s life; A – Attractive, very pleasing in appearance to draw attention of people; L – Loving, unselfish, loyal with benevolent intention towards others.
I am of a strong stand that we should always use this type of opportunities to admonish ourselves with a view to making our good to become better and our better to become best so that we can really be who we were created to be. I, therefore, enjoin all women, should take advantage of this great honour and privilege of this celebration to review their past and chart a more glorious course for their future in life and life after.
A mother must stand out and be branded, like in the case of women of substance in the Bible those who lived a life worthy of emulation, they sought God and also strive to please Him by depending on Him for wisdom at all times. Wanting an exceptional life is always at a cost – you must be willing to give up to go up. Take a queue from Ruth who gave up all that she knew to make a difference, she took courage and took a risk by following her mother-in-law’s instructions (Ruth 2: 1-6).
Some other Exceptional Women mentioned in the Bible are:
Priscilla- A respected Christian Leader, a valued helper of Paul (Rm.16:3).
Dorcas- A generous disciple who had a heart for the Lord, she had loving eyes that saw other’s most urgent need with skilled fingers. She put faith in everyday activities, she stitched beautiful garments and distributed them generously to widows and children.
Mary Magdalene – A woman, who after her healing experience became a devoted follower of Christ. Unflappable in her faithfulness, she was counted among women who at their own expense served Jesus and His disciples as they preached and ministered to the masses. She later was among the first to see Jesus after He rose from the grave and was the first to announce Christ’s victory over death.
Mary of Bethany – A committed follower. This woman stands as a role model for every dedicated disciple of Christ. Their home was a friendly retreat for the Lord. Mary, more than any other in the New Testament is associated with sitting at Jesus feet, a testimony for the hunger for spiritual truth and understanding. She did not only sit at His feet, but she also served Him by anointing Him with costly ointment to show her desire to meet practical needs as well as a spiritual blessing.
Mary of Nazareth (Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ) – As a mother, she is one of us but as the mother of our Lord she is blessed above all women.
Her response when Angel Gabriel appeared with the Immaculate Birth announcement clearly revealed her keen understanding of the scripture and her ready willingness to obey God. The awesome concept of yielding her virgin body to the Holy Spirit was sure to be misunderstood by Mary’s spirit of total trust pleased God – Luke 1:38.
My sisters, you are unique women (Exceptional by faith in Christ). No one is perfect – can you honestly evaluate yourself and see how far you have come and how far you still have to go to be A Mother?
Another purpose of this celebration today is to let you know that God actually has a unique plan for you. He wants you to recognize that you are a work that is on course and that you should learn to enjoy, not to suffer nor weary, to be courageous and have faith. Don’t be a quitter.
Don’t have that old give-up spirit, God is looking for your courage to rise above all negatives and turn them to positives. When the battle seems endless and you think you will never make it, just remember that you are reprogramming a worldly mind to think as God thinks. If you don’t enjoy the glory of God it means probably you are not doing the right thing and as such, you may be slowing down the maturity progress God has for you.
You just have to draw yourself close to God and He will draw close to you, cleanse your hands and purify your hearts, concentrate on Him – (James 4:8). Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, you belong to the household of God and you are being transformed by Him day by day.
Please, ensure that you cast away your bad past you might have identified (James 1:21; Job 11: 14); it is then you will be confident to claim what is written in James 5:8. The Bible says that it is better for us to count the number of our days so that we shall plan our ways – you still have this second chance to review your ways and change for the better. Just be patient and wait on God, He is able and capable (Heb. 6: 12).
Once more, I congratulate you and the families of Popoola, Oyeyebi and Abioro, today for this occasion and I pray that God will bless you beyond your comprehension; you will enjoy your life in good health, happiness and in Holiness, in Jesus Christ Mighty Name, Amen.
Memorial Lecture delivered by Most Sup. Evang. (PRO.) M. O. Oyegbami (JP.), Shepherd-in-Charge – C.C.C. Horeb Cathedral at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Our Mother, Madam Raliatu Aduke Popoola (nee Oyeyebi) – Mother of Yeye Atinuke Abioro held on Tuesday, 16th July 2019.
