•The Story Of Elder (Mrs) FELICIA ANIKE AGBOOLA
•Tributes From Family Members
The Agboola and Oworu families held the last rites for their matriarch late Elder Mrs Felicia Anike Agboola a few days back. It was a 2 day affair starting with the Christian Wake Keeping and Service of Songs held at the Living Faith Church Auditorium at Oregun on Thursday 17th Dec, 2020. The funeral service held on the 18th Dec, 2020 at the same church after a colourful lying-in-state was held in honour of the deceased. After internment at Atan Cemetary Yaba, a befitting reception was hosted by the deceased husband, children, grandchildren and family at Mimaya Events Center Oregun.
It was a grand affair with an elegant ambiance at the hall tastefully done in yellow and white. Delicious meals, choice beverages, cocktails, desserts were served as guests trooped into the hall to support the Agboola and Oworu families led by Elder Ojo Agboola the widower, Funmi and Goke Kehinde as well as the entire family. The band dished out Gospel N Melodious Tunes to the delight of guests who came to celebrate the life and times of Ma Felicia Anike Agboola The deceased first daughter Mrs Funmi Kehinde former banker of repute and currently a notable events planner, ensured all went well. She was ably supported by her husband Arch. Goke Kehinde, the Agboola siblings as well as the grandchildren.
It was indeed a glorious homecoming n celebration of life of the deceased.
Elder Agboola was born in Ijebu-Ode Ogun State on October 21 1944 into the family of Daddy Adolphus Aderibigbe Oworu and Princess Paulina Adedeji Oworu (nee Badejo) of Fidipotemole Ruling House, Ijebu-Ode. Apart from her, her mummy gave birth to six other children: three female and three male children. For her primary education, mummy Anike went to St. Augustine Catholic Primary; and Our Lady of Apostle for her secondary education.
Immediately after her secondary education, she was employed in 1959 by the old Daily Express newspaper as a Proof-reader; she left the place in 1963 to join Lever Brothers as a Senior Sales Girl. She was there until August 1965 when she got married to Mr Joshua Ojo Agboola.
She had a happy and fruitful marital life. After she gave birth to her fourth child, Oludayo, her husband went to University of Reading, United Kingdom, in September 1972 as a Commonwealth Scholar for a postgraduate diploma course. During the time her husband was away in UK, she seized the opportunity to enroll as a student in a high grade fashion design company located at Yaba. She finished her training after two years and was awarded a Certificate in Fashion Design. She then opened a Fashion Design School and started to train many young ladies in fashion design. Her school was very popular in Somolu area at that time and many of the students benefitted tremendously from the professional training she offered. And she herself became an unmistakable symbol and epitome of exemplary fashion designer.
She started off in her early years as a catholic and was baptized with the name Augusta, She later left the Catholic Church to become a member of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ebute Metta with her husband. She was a very devoted member of the Church. She was ordained Mother in Israel, and later, at a point in time, she became the youngest ordained Apostolic Mother in the entire C&’S Church before leaving the church for the Living Faith Church (aka the Winners Chapel) after giving her life to Christ. She was ordained an Elder on January 8, 2006. She was also a devoted frontline member of the Hospitality Group of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland,Ota.
At the House Fellowship Level, she collaborated very well with her husband to ensure the opening of a Fellowship Centre in their house at 28 Oriola St, Ketu – Alapere on May 18, 1999. The House Fellowship Centre experienced speedy growth and multiplication and twice won the Annual Church Award for The Best Fellowship Centre in the whole of Lagos metropolis. The House Fellowship Centre was the nucleus of Living Faith Church at Ketu. The Centre soon transformed to a Zonal Centre and later a District Centre at Ketu – Alapere, Lagos. Mummy was also a key member of the Busy Bees Society of the Anglican Church at Montgomery, Yaba. She was the Secretary of the Society for a period of about two years, and their Treasurer for a longer period. To God be all the glory!
A little past 2am on Thursday November 5, 2020, it was a most unspeakable peaceful passage to glory for Mummy. She left behind: her husband (whom she fondly referred to as ‘My Senior Brother l), 3 daughters: Olufunmi, Oluyinka and Olushola, and 2 sons: Oludayo, and Olufemi. To God alone be all the glory.
TRIBUTE FROM HER HUSBAND
My Beloved, since we got married in 1965 and up to the moment of your sudden and peaceful departure from the earth to meet with the lord, you were indeed heaven’s choice for me for the attainment of a most glorious marital destiny. Not once throughout the 55 years of our marriage did a third party intervene towards the settlement of any prevailing troubling issue between us. Throughout our married life, you were very loving and caring, friendly and kindhearted, considerate and generous, and you showed to all around you that you are a woman who could never compromise her integrity for any unholy reward. You displayed to those who interacted with you in your official engagements in particular, that you are a firm, no-nonsense woman who will never bend over backwards to accommodate anyth ing that wi II dent your integrity. You were a very considerate and caring mother to your children especially during those early years I used to travel out for months on official publishing assignments. You held the fort on my behalf very firmly and effectively, and ensured that you cared very well for our children’s development throughout. You helped to raise them in referential fear of the Lord. Two of them – Olushola and Oludayo-are now ordained Pastors in God’s vineyard. You were a very spiritually gifted lady, especially in the area of revelation of dream. If you reveal a dream to any member of the family, he or she had better believe it for his or her own benefit.
When I was preparing in 1977 as Head of Science Dept at Igbobi College Yaba to leave for the University of Reading, UK, on Commonwealth Scholarship for a Postgraduate Diploma Course in Science Education, six weeks to leaving Nigeria for UK, you told me one early morning that you had just had a dream that I was going to have distinction in the Postgraduate Diploma Course. No one had been known before then to have been awarded a distinction by the University after completing the course. Be that as it may, I claimed the prophetic declaration of distinction! And I was spiritually inspired to start preparing for it. At the end of the course in June 1973, I was awarded a distinction – it was absolutely unprecedented. There were three university professors on the same course (from India, South Africa and Ghana) who earned just a pass. I beat them all! My performance was the best result ever recorded on the course at that point in time. I was told the performance was more than good enough to earn me a Master Degree, if I had registered for it.
This most unprecedented excellent academic performance, inspired by your revelational dream, thereafter became a glorious point of reference both at the University of Reading and the Federal Ministry of Education. Indeed, you were a unique and reliable source of spiritual guidance for the family. Whichever Church of God you were in service at any particular point in time in your life, you had demonstrated exemplary passion for tireless service especially at the Living Faith Church. We deeply appreciate God for your sacrificial and fruitful life, and God had adequately rewarded you in return with His abundance of Grace.
But what left me highly jolted and speechless was the mode of your departure or translation from this earth to meet with the Lord. You left me and your children in particular with no opportunity to say, ‘Good bye’! Be that as it may, we have taken solace in the assurance that you are now resting in perfect peace at the bosom of our God till eternity. To Him alone be all the glory.
MUMMY’S HUSBAND, ELDER JOSHUA OJO AGBOOLA
FROM HER DAUGHTER
My dear Mother, Mama Mi Owon, up till this moment, as I pen down my thoughts, I still cannot come to terms with the fact that you are gone! I was in shock, I wanted to scream, I wanted to shout about it. But all I could do was whisper ‘I am fine.’ It took a few days after your passing for the tears to roll down my face, weeping uncontrollably. I kept going back to your room, to see if you would be there! There are not enough words to describe how important my mother was to me. You were a strong woman, highly principled, full of life, fashionable, hardworking, generous and God-fearing.
Throughout the joyful moments and challenging times I had faced in life, you stood by me, giving me comfort and peace that, apart from Jesus, no one else could muster. You showered us with so much love. This was also evident in the way you drew so many people to you with love.
I remember my wedding dress which had a very long trail, tailored after the wedding dress of Princess Diana, which you sewed, as an exquisite fashion designer that you were. You saw my daughter’s wedding and also witnessed the birth of your great grandson, I will forever miss you, the sound of your voice, the wisdom in your advice, the stories of your life, and just being in your presence. Rest in Perfect Peace, Mum, in the bosom of the Lord.
Adieu, till we meet at the feet of Jesus.
–OLUFUNMI KEHINDE
TRIBUTE FOR MY MOTHER
Mama Mi L ‘Eko!
What can I say? What do I do now? Where do I go? Tani kin loba? Tani kin lobe? I’ve been in a state of confusion, bewilderment and shock, since that fateful day of November 5th, when I received the dreadful news of your demise. Ha … Death, where is your sting? If giving up all my worldly goods could bring you back, for just a little while longer, I would do so in a heartbeat. I’m in awe of the void created by your sudden absence.
I remember happier times we experienced before you took ill; we would spend hours gisting and reminiscing on a Sunday, over the telephone, about all manner of stuff; indeed we never ran out of things to talk about. Your last trip to Florida to commemorate your 70th Birthday Anniversary was so eventful. We did so much fun-stuff together as if we both knew that it might be your last trip to visit me.
I’m eternally grateful for my spur of the moment decision to travel down to Nigeria, to see you in May 2019.1 didn’t inform Daddy nor you that I was coming; and I just showed up at your gate very early on that Saturday morning. Daddy opened the gate and was pleasantly surprised, while Mom you were sitting in the living room when I entered the house. You couldn’t believe your eyes as though you were seeing my ghost! You were so bubbly and effervescent in your disposition, and highly thrilled to see me. All my afternoons of the trip were spent with you in Ketu, and on my last day in Lagos I came by to see you that evening on my way to the airport.
We prayed and I pleaded with you to hang in there, so I could see you again when next I came to Nigeria. You promised me you would.
Mom, you were a proud Ijebu woman, a tiger-Mom who raised 5 amazing and upright children, who are never satisfied being in the valley, but rather being at the peak of the mountain. You put our needs ahead of yours each and every time. When money was tight and we had to go to college, you would assist Oadd~ and eke watef out o~ tne oeseft am.\make tnings riappen. You were a social butterfly who attracted everyone; you were the centre of gravity of the family, a Christian woman of substance, the superglue that held our family together, and a Mother-in-a-million. The Bible says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance”.
Mom, today I choose to celebrate the marvelous and wonderful life you spent with us. God loaned you to us for 76 productive and phenomenal years. This is not goodbye because, then, that means forgetting about your very impactfullife. Rather I say, ‘Until we meet again.’ I love you Mom, you are now at peace, please go with God … Till we meet again in heaven!
–YINKA AGBOOLA
Mama Mi Leko!
Our mother, Elder Mrs Anike Agboola, was a spiritual giant. A prayer warrior who fought on her knees for the soul of her family. As a child, even though I couldn’t read Yoruba very well, I could recite verses of the Psalms by heart because I grew up listening to my mum pray tirelessly while reciting several passages of the Psalms.
Mummy was fearless; she would speak her truth not minding whose ox was gored. I dare say, this brought her more enemies than friends! Mummy never minced words; she says it as it is! She would look into the eyes of a tiger to defend those she loved. As a friend, she was dependable, she was reliable; she was a confidant to many. She didn’t speak from both sides of her tongue. Her No was No. One of her famous words was. ‘If you love me, you love my dog’; she didn’t believe in half measures.
For someone who only had a secondary school education, she was extremely bold and confident. Even in the midst of friends with higher level of education, she was a force to be reckoned with, and you couldn’t relegate her to the background. My mother was trustworthy, always contented with what she had. As a treasurer of The Busy Bees Society of All Saints Church Yaba for many years, she was an asset to them. Her record-keeping skills were impeccable and she would account for all the money kept in her care to the last Kobo. My Mum would often tell us while growing up not to eat with all ten fingers but to save for the rainy day. She didn’t have a lot, but she was contented with what she had. She always ensured that out of the little she had, she had something to share with those who needed a helping hand. You never leave her home empty-handed after a visit. If she’s not giving you money, she’s giving you food.
Mummy loved God and she served Him wholeheartedly to the best of her ability. Mummy was spiritually gifted and the gift God bestowed on her, I believe, was what preserved her through all the trials and travails of this life. Mummy would go to any length for her children; she was our battle axe; she would stand up to anyone who made life physically unbearable for any of her children and fight them to a standstill. She would go to the moon and back for her family and anyone she considered a family.
Mummy was beautiful, elegant, a superwoman, a fashionista who loved life; she was the life of the party.
My children have wonderful memories of all the funny songs Grandma Ketu sang for them as babies. Even though they’re both grown up now, Grandma would still sing the songs over the phone anytime they called her to ask after her health. Mummy you’re irreplaceable, you were the spiritual backbone of our family. We thank God for the time we shared together. We will never forget you, we will always remember your sacrifices and the amazing values and principles you represented. We love you to the moon and back. Your death has surely created a vacuum that only the love of Christ can fill. Mama mi Leko, you have fought a good fight, you have finished your course, you have kept the faith. Till we meet again at the feet of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, it’s goodnight. Goodnight Mummy!
–SHOLA TEMOWO
TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around you and He whispered: ‘Come to Me’. With tearful eyes we watched you, we watched you fade away! Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay longer. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us He chose to take the best. It’s lonesome here without you. We miss you more each day; life doesn’t seem the same any longer. Since you had gone away when days were sad and lonely, and everything went wrong, we seem to hear you whisper, ‘Cheer up and carry on’. Each time we see your picture, you seem to smile and say, ‘Don’t cry, I am in God’s hands, we will meet again someday!’
–AGBOOLA OLUDAYO
My mother was very caring and made sure things always went smoothly in the house without any leakage which could bring discomfort to the family. She was so full of energy and joy, without any sadness at all times. Even when it seemed all hope was lost, she never gave up and she was a mother who always depened on God when things were not going right.
She was a good mother who never liked any conflict between two people; always settled disputes. She always made sure peace always reigned in families. She gave me joy, peace and advice which a good mother should do to her children as a sign of a good mother who always made me to remember where am coming from. Never allowed me to join bad friends who could tarnish the image of the family. But as God wanted it, she gave up the ghost when I needed her the most!
I ended by saying. ‘She will always be remembered.’ May her soul rest in Perfect Peace.
–FEMI AGBOOLA
My Mother-in-law was my Maami, and confidant. I practically could do no wrong in her eyes, as she was ever ready to forgive me and defend me against all odds. I will miss her lovely smiles, fantastic dance steps and helpful advices. Adieu my defender, the lioness of her children. You will forever live in my memory. Sleep well
in the bosom of our Lord in Jesus name.
– GOKE KEHINDE,
SON-IN-LAW
TRIBUTE TO MUMMY K
Elder (Mrs) Felicia Anike Agboola, aka Mommy K, (Mummy Ketu), a wonderful mother-in-law. A loving generous and wonderful mother, wife, aunty, colleague, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, community leader, a trusted friend and virtuous woman, a church elder, famous for her philanthropy and big heart for people especially the poor. Mommy K passed on to eternal glory on 5th November, 2020, after some illness, at the age of 76. We love her but God loves her most.
I could write an exemplary lot on Mommy K. Your caring attitude stays with me, I cannot forget your regular helpful advice; you are a true Mother-in-law. I miss you and I’ll continue to miss you. May your gentle soul Rest in Perfect Peace. Mommy K,sun re o.
–OTUNBA (ENGR.) DELE OGUNDE – SON-IN-LAW
FAIR THEE WELL “GRANDMA KETU”.
When people think of mother-in-laws, a lot of unflattering thoughts come to mind. They are generally maligned, but not so for me, since I had the greatest mother-in-law in the world. I recall my first meeting with her. I was invited for lunch at my in-laws’ residence on a Sunday while I was still courting their daughter. Lunch was pounded yam with vegetable and” all the works”. When lunch was ready, Shola (my adorable wife) came from the kitchen with this “huge” portion of pounded yam; akin to that which was served in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”, and I was expected to demolish the mountain. When I drew attention to the fact that the “mountain” was far above my weight, my mother-in-law jocularly chided me and said “Mr. 8, eat like a man”. Despite the fact that I never got round to “eating like a man”, she accepted me the way I am; though she never gave up trying. Belying her tough exterior was a huge caring heart, loyal, very appreciative and she was fiercely protective of her family. She never shied away from a fight for a course she believed in. She was deeply rooted in her Christian faith, ever so quick to forgive and very jovial. We had this bond which has withstood the test of time. That was my mother-in-law. Her last years were a bit challenging but she was very stoic through it all. She fought a good fight but I guess heaven needed her.
Grandma Ketu, good night and sleep on in the bosom of your maker.
–BOLA TEMOWO, SON-IN-LAW
TRIBUTE TO MY MOM-IN-LOVE
From stories heard from my hubby and those you told me yourself, all I see are the sacrifices you made in building your home and protecting your family. You succeeded in raising such beautiful, dutiful and respectful children and I’m super blessed to call one of them mine. A mum indeed, you were. Truly selfless in every word.
Sleep well Mummy, your memory remains blessed.
–DUPE AGBOOLA, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
