Alaperu, Oba BASIBO’s Wife, Olori Agba Buried

• What Kabiyeesi, Her Kids & Family Will Miss

A few days ago, the remains of Olori Kehinde Idowu Basibo-Odoru (Nee Oyenuga-Raimi) aka Olori Agba was laid to rest. She was born at Island Maternity, Lagos on the 23rd of April, 1962 to the family of Alhaji Oyenuga Raimi and Alhaja Amope Raimi from Okun-Owa, Ijebu. She attended Yaba Model Primary School, Surulere from 1968 to 1973. She proceeded to Multilateral Grammar School, Okun-Owa where she excelled academically and advanced to Yaba College of Technology for a brief course in Business Administration.

She joined Nigeria Ports Authority, Tincan Island Port, Apapa as a Tariff Officer in 1979 where she met her husband. She distinguished herself in her role till she resigned to focus on family and business.

“Olori Kenny” was noted for her extreme generousity, warmth and humility. Affectionate, caring and forgiving, Olori was overly committed to her marriage and children. She was an avid reader of both print and online media, and was always eager to discuss trending national topics, intellectually and intelligently.

She got married to her husband, Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo-Odoru, Odoru V, Alaperu of Iperu on the 30th of March, 1985. The marriage is blessed with four lovely children and many grandchildren. It is noteworthy that Olori, in the last years before her demise, took on the responsibility of sponsoring many non-biological children of hers in school and trade. “Olori Agba” was a special breed who will be greatly missed by all.

MY DEAR WIFE

Kenny, just like yesterday, I remember the moment our paths crossed on that fateful day in December, 1980. Over 40 years after, it has been an eventful journey of twists and turns. We started and grew through the vicissitudes of life, together.

You were an epitome of love, care and affection. You exhibited unalloyed commitment to our marriage from the first day till the moment you exited this world. You were the true meaning of selflessness & devoted. You never hesitated to say your mind irrespective of whose ox is gored.

Your children would have noted in this memorabilia how loving and caring you were to them because you really did embody every single trait of motherhood. Beyond your biological children, you were a pillar of support to many others, far and near. And a lot of people owe their journey to your kindness and generosity.

You lived a life of impact and because we cannot question God, we believe He has a good reason for calling you to high heavens atthis time. We will miss you, my dear wife … till we meet again.

-Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo, Odoru V

Alaperu of lperu

IYA YOSOLA EJIRE OYlLA!

Iya Yosola! Ejire oyila! My beautiful, fashionista mother, the best grammarian ever, I didn’t know this is how it’s going to be. I had a lot of dreams and vision that I wanted you to witness and for         once to have a reason to be proud of me but I remember our days in the UK and all we went through as mother and daughter. Our days in Iceland Canning Town, our house in maple stead road etc. We seldom agree on so many things but one thing was certain you had a mind of your own and was never afraid of anything. You were expressive, You were a force to reckon with. You were bold, courageous and expressed your love in your own unique way. You came, you saw and you conquered. You were unique in your own ways, you were expressive and bold. Who would I buy and talk about those beautiful and outstanding lingerie with? Some decisions I made about by life you stood behind me and made sure I regained by peace and freedom!!!! Iya Yosola, it’s not supposed to be like this but God knows best. As a believer, I am not going to grieve like one that does not have hope. Make sure you make friends with all the angels and find eternal peace. Thank you for birthing and supporting me through it all. You surely made an impact and will be greatly missed. Rest peacefully mother. Till we meet to part no more.

-Yosola

KEHINDE EJIRE MY MOTHER

It was tough writing this … can’t believe you are gone. Abiyamo Otito(True Mother), I am forever thankful for your unconditional love and will really miss how you call me “Adeji Man” when we speak. I don’t want to talk about you in pasttense because I know you will always be with me. I remember in the moments I needed help the most you were always there for me, emotionally and spiritually. Your morning prayers on my way to work always light up my soul.

As days comes and night falls, for the rest of my life I’ll always miss you. llearned the act of giving, the

act of forgiveness, the act selflessness from you because you are so caring. Thanks for teaching me that

love conquers all. Your legacy will always live through us and 1 promise to rep this life to the fullest! Love you forever Ejire.

-Adedeji

SWEET AND GENTLE MOTHER-IN-LAW

What a fierce, magnificent and formidable woman. When we hearthe words “Mother-in-law”, not all of them are flattering, however, Olori Kehinde did not fit the stereotypical definition of a Mother-in-law. To me and her grand-daughter, she was always so sweet and gentle. For many years, we communicated via phone but never met her physically. However, the relationship we shared was as though we lived in the same compound, waking up and seeing each other everyday. I understood her on a level I reel no one else did. Whenever we spoke, she would apologise for not calling more, when really it should be I apologising for not calling. I called her mummy – as a sign of respect and also because she was like a mother to me. Since we heard of her passing, I find myself going back through our WhatsApp messages, re-reading our chats and reminiscing.

I will miss her gentle sweet voice when she was happy and her direct, no-nonsense voice when she’s upset. I will miss how she prays for me and calls me “Odilli my daughter”, her terms of endearment. I

will miss how she pronounces her granddaughter’s name. I will miss the very long birthday messages

she always sends.

Mummy is always running around to buy us something whenever someone we know is coming from Nigeria. Whenever I would tell her not to over buy she would say and I quote “I will try to get all these on the list for you by any means”. She will then call and teach me how to use the things she bought. Even though 1 already knew how to use them, I still listened with all attentiveness. I knew the joy it gave her sharing those moments with me and “teaching me”. I have never been this much affected by the death of someone closeto me.

Mummy, you were taken away from us too soon but God in heaven knows best. He needed His Angel on earth back. You were too good for this wicked world. We will miss you but we also have this sense of calm knowing you will always be with us, guiding and watching over us.

– Princess Tolani

EJIREMI

There is such a massive gap between the words in my head and what I would like to say. I have arranged and re-arranged the words some many times in the last week and 1 still don’t think this eulogy can truly convey how I really feel inside. Each person reading this knows how affected they have been by my mother – both in life and by her passing. For those of you who may not know me, My name is Adegoke, the third child of Olori Kehinde and I count myself very lucky to have had her as my mother. On July 27th, a week before my birthday, I lost my mother and my best friend. I will miss her presence and her comforting words, for the rest of my life. As I sit here, still reeling from the tragic death of my best friend, I am shocked, scared and angered at the unfairness and senselessness that took her from me. I try to make sense of this, to understand the reason why this happened. What plan could this have been a part of? What possible meaning or lesson can be gleaned from this?

Since her passing, all I have heard is that it is all part of God’s plan, that this was just Kehinde’s time to go, that she is in a better place. While God certainly knows his plan, I do not. Kehinde may indeed be in a better place now, but I need her here with me . I had so many plans for this woman and the Lord sees

my heart.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers, and as difficult and painful as it is, I must accept that my girl is gone. A Mother’s love is something that no one can truly explain. It is made of deep devotion, sacrifice and pain. The love and support Kehinde showed towards me was endless and unselfish. My mother taught me the importance of being there for your family, having faith, hardwork, kindness, forgiveness and never giving up. She was a strong willed woman, stubborn and had a great sense of humor. She was extremely caring, affectionate and most importantly forgiving.

As hard as it is accepting the fact that she is no longer here with me, I am at peace knowing that! have a guardian angel. She promised to make her spirit present in my life and her legacy will live on through

me and all of the lives she touched. My mother would do anything for her children. Over the years, I’ve had several mishaps and each time, she was ever present to remind me that, as long as there is life, there is hope. She loved and prayed for me unconditionally. We celebrated my successes and mourned my failures together. I will miss Mother for the rest of my life, but she’s thought me some valuable lessons which I will hold dearly for the rest of my life, some of which are having a positive attitude in all situations, the importance of being humble, honoringyourparents! Heaven has gained another angel.

Sleep well, Queen. Till we meet again, Ejire mi.

– Goke

MUMYYYYYVYY

This is the toughest note I have had to pen down in my entire life. Never in a million years would I have thought that I will be writing a farewell tribute to you at this time … we were eagerly anticipating a different occasion. You and I had plans to advance preparations for our forthcoming joyous ceremony, this month. ays before you passed, we joked about the songs to be used for Mother-son dance. Sighs, it was notto be.

I am still dumbfounded by this reality. I can’t believe there will be no more long text messages from you beginning with ‘’Adebola Omo’ba”. Our journey was filled with significant memories.. .from washing my white secondary school uniform with your bare hands to ensure I maintained my annual “Neatest student” Award to replicating same with my native attires during my university days. As your only child resident in Nigeria, we had numerous moments of deliberating, “gbeborun-ing”, connecting, plotting, disagreeing, looking out for each other & executing plans as a team – oh, a formidable ally you were.

If I knew you were leaving so soon, I would not have disagreed with you on any matter at all. You committed your blood, sweat and tears into going above and beyond for your children. You were so in tune with our spirit such that by listening to us in a split second, you could decipher when we are happy, sad or troubled. You epitomized this till your last breath.

Undoubtedly, you were misunderstood by many because you never hesitated to call a spade by its name. You detested hypocrisy which made a lot of observers see you as a special breed. You were strong, bold, fearless, expressive, opinionated but sweet, loving, kind, humble, forgiving, genuine, prayerful & fully committed to whatever you signed up for.

Mumyyyy, you have fought the fight and made your mark. I want to believe you fulfilled your divine purpose on earth. And I hope Almighty God is pleased with your journey. You have transitioned into a new realm but I am more than convinced you are still with us. Please, don’t stop being a mother to your last born. I will always sense your presence and feel your absence( so you must not look away for a second). You will forever remain in our hearts!

Love you,Mum.

-Bola

A TRIBUTE TO A LOVING MOTHER

My beloved mother-in-Iaw’s legacy is one that resonates deeply within my heart, a legacy of

profound love, unwavering support, boundless kindness, and a profound connection with Christ.

I celebrate not just a mother-in-law, but a second mother who embraced me into her famity with open antis. She extended her maternal love and acceptance without reservation, making me feel like her very own daughter.

Some of the most treasured gifts she bestowed upon me were her unwavering support, fervent

prayers, incredible sense of humour and priceless pieces of advice. She was a prayer warrior. Her closeness to Jesus Christ was not just a part of her life, it was the essence of her being.

I take solace in the knowledge that I will carry her memory forward, passing on the stories of her love, and faith to her grandchildren. In our hearts, she will forever be remembered as an amazing woman, a faithful prayer warrior, and someone who walked hand in hand with Jesus Christ. Rest in eternal peace, dear OIori. I love you always and forever.

-Wunmi

REST IN PEACE, MUM

I was deeply saddened by your loss. Death only took you away but never conquered you. You lived well, you gave your bestto all you do and you always believe in the best even in the worst moments.

Thank you mum for your great impact. You will always be in my prayers. May your soul rest in peace.

-Adelekan

TRIBUTE TO MY SISTER, OLORI AGBA

The news of your death came to me as a shock. I remember the last time we had together during your niece’s wedding in Lagos before I traveled. My heart aches with sadness, and tears flow. All I have are memories of nice times we had together, especially during my father’s burial at Okun Owa, where we both originated. Little did I know that we are family.

Education, uprightness, and discipline were all you stood for and embraced throughout your lifetime. You were never a coward, not afraid of anything, even death. Little did I know your death will come so

soon. You left a vacuum in my heart. But as God calls us, one by one chains will link again. REST ON MY SISTER, till we meet and part no more.

– Olori Ajoke

EJIRE

Omo Iya Meta Transport: “Deru Akesan” Odukoya, Prince Alhaji ‘’Alegi Wewesowo” Salami, Prince “Ekuola Father” Salami. We received the shocking news of the call to glory of the dear wife to Alaperu of Iperu, Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo, Odoru V on the 27th of July, 2023. We the maternal relations of Kabiyesi do commiserate with the entire family and loved ones of the deceased.

KENNY! You served your husband genuinely without any iota of doubt. You are seen as an upright, no

nonsense and open-minded woman. It is an adage that “no one is perfect by any means” but all the same, we loved her for three outstanding qualities: *Her deep commitment to anyone she took as dear to her *Her jealous protection of her marriage *a woman of substance, intelligent, dynamic and bold

EJIRE! as we called you, we cannot say BYE BYE to you but left us with multiple lovely memories.

Continue to rest in peace.

– Otunba (Engr.) Sikiru Adesoye Okonlawon Salami

Baba Oba Negbuwa of Ibido, Sagamu

Balogun of idarika, (peru

For the Family