•What Her Children & In Laws Said About Her
On Saturday 26th November, 2022 Chief. Mrs. Beatrice Iyosiola Modupe Akinfolarin celebrated @ 80. Let’s tell you her story. She was born on 23rd November, 1942 to Chief Stephen Olasanoye Ogunfusika descendent from High Chief Olotu Agbede dynasty. Maternally her mother was Madam Marian Kehinde Ogunfusika, daughter of High Chief Ojomu Akinsufire Opesusulebe, one of the most highly revered High Chief Quarters in Ondo Kingdom. Her parents were Christians. Her mother was baptized by Late Revd. Adebiyi in 1939 and she was a foundation member of Egbe Imisi Olorun of All Saints’ Church Ogbonkowo. In short she has her roots firmly planted in All Saints’ Church. Her mother’s uncle, Late Chief E. T. Adetuyi was Balogun Ijo (1962 – 1990). Her grand mother Mama Dorcas Merunweye Akinsulie, Egbe Ibi Kristi was the immediate sister of Mama Lydia Adeodun Akinbote who was Iyalode of this Church for many years. Chief (Mrs). Akinfolarin attended the following institutions:
(1) St. Jude’s Primary School, Odosida, Ondo (1950-1957) (2) Jubilee Secondary Modern School (1958-1960) (3) U.M.C. Teacher Training College Ibadan (1962-1964).
where she passed her Grade II Teachers Certificate in flying colour. She did well in school because of the very strict monitoring of Chief E. T. Adetuyi and her Aunty Chief Julianah Kaikun Olasanoye the Otun Iyalaje of Ondo Kingdom. And Mrs. Florence Ileola Adewole. (4) She enrolled with British Institute of Bankers to study Banking. (5) South West Polytechnic, London City for her intermediate course in Banking after which she obtained her Associate Membership Certificate in the Institute of Bankers (A.I.B.) in 1971. Lets tell you about her working career. (1) She taught at Bartholomew’s School, Ilu-Nla: 1961
(2) St. Paul’s Anglican Modern School, Idanre: 1965. Traveled to London in June 1965 after which she got married on March, 1966.
(3) Worked as Clerical Assistant at the London Post Office – savings Bank which stimulated her interest in Banking Carrier: 1965 – 1968.
(4) Worked with the Lloyds Bank, 6 Pall Mall, London City: 1968 – 1971. (5) On her return to igeria in 1971, she worked briefly in Bank of America later National Bank now Wema Bank of Nigeria where she worked as Accountant, Bank Manager and Senior Manager, before retiring in 1995 and pensioned with full benefit.
She got married at All Saints’ Church, Nothing Hill in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea London W. 11 to Mr. David Akinfolarin, a kindhearted lanky handsome young-man on 12th March, 1966 after a courtship which started way back in 1961 when she was
teaching at Ilu-Nla in Ondo Kingdom. He was a man of vision a charismatic person caring to her
and all the children. Like David in the Bible, he was a man with wisdom, his human relation was
unparalleled, a patriotic man, a philanthropic man per excellence, He loved his church and got most of his children baptized and confirmed by the Bishop of Ondo Diocese in this same Church – All Saints’ Church, Ogbonkowo. He led an exemplary life dedicated to Christ. She is blessed with children, grand children and great grandchildren.
She was involved in a lot of religious activities. Chief (Mrs) Beatrice Modupe Akinfolarin was: (1) A regular Church goer when she was attending the Primary School and Secondary School Superintendent at U.M. C. Teacher’s College, Ibadan.
(2) A member of the Girls Guild. (3) In Lagos she attended 1 st Baptist Church which was nearest to her house. She participated in discipleship courses that strengthened her spiritual growth and brought her very close to God under the guidance of Revd. Dr. B.O. Akinrinola and Revd. Dr. Tunde Oyeleke. (4) She went to Jerusalem on Pilgrimage in 2008. (5) A strong member of Hope Rising Society of All Saints’ Anglican Church, Ondo. (6) Former Treasurer of Ondo Ladies ew Spring. (7) Former President of Itesiwaju Society, Ifako 1st Baptist Church, Lagos. (8) Matron of Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) of All Saints’ Anglican Church, Ondo. (9) Member Choir Committee of All Saints’ Anglican Church, Ogbonkowo, Ondo. to. Member of PC.C. of All Saints’ Church, Ogbonkowo, Ondo. (10) Diocesan Synod Delegate Representing All Saints’ Anglican Church, Ogbonkowo, Ondo. (11) Matron, YW.C.A. All Saints’ Anglican Church, Ogbonkowo, Ondo. (12) Patron Boys Brigade Nigeria; Ondo Battalion Council 11. Life Member of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Ondo West Auxiliary (15) She was ordained the Otun Ijo Obirin of All Saints’ Anglican Church, Ogbonkowo, Ondo in April, 2014.
Below her children and their spouses revealed a lot about her.
Today I celebrate and honour you. I am extremely grateful for everything that you are-you taught me strength, love and resilience. May your days be long and may you shine forever!
Oluyemi Onanuga
Daughter
Mother, with the greatest joy in my heart, I celebrate you on this occasion of your 80th birthday. You haw’ positively impacted my life much more than you will ordinarily credit yourself with. Now that vou ran still read them, it is apt that I shower on you all the encomiums that my interaction with you had culminated in my heart over the years, availing you till’ pleasure of relishing at the same time, the euphoria that comes with knowing how well you are truly appreciated and genuinely loved.
Haying you as a mum-in-law is akin to winning the jackpot of a lifetime. The panacea for a man’s peaceful and joyful existence is to live with and be committed to a virtuous woman, and it so happens that a virtuous woman can only be an offshoot of a virtuous mother. You are the virtuous mother that nurtured the virtuous woman in my life. I remember the first time I saw you, it was thirty- something years ago at a hospital in llupeju where Kunle was on admission, you stopped by to check up on him and I was there with Yemi. You were under the impression that I was Kunle’s friend and I on my part played along, deceptively validating your assumption. My memorable recollection of that fateful day however is not about the Houdini I played on you but rather more about the vision that your presence ignited in my inner self. I could still vividly recollect, you were on your way back from your job as a branch manager of one of the biggest banks in the country at the time, as you stepped into that hospital room, the aura and air of authority that accompanied you coupled with the poise of corporate elegance with which you carried your person was both captivating and inspiring.
So much so that flashes of the future image of what your daughter, Yemi might grow to become, ran through my young and innocent mind. Your appearance on the day exemplified and personified the image of a hardworking, value-adding, dedicated, intelligent, tenacious and strong-willed woman. It was at that defining moment, the thought occurred to me, only a lioness can raise another lioness. You raised and nurtured the most important person in my life and you did a good job of it. You imbued her with the rarest qualities of a perfect wife and mother. My children and I are the ultimate beneficiaries of that deed, making it an uncommon blessing to be your son-in-law. Though I became your son by marital law but with the roles you have played in my life and my children’s lives, I have since come to regard you as my mother just as much as I regard my dearest birth mother. Right from the early days of our marriage you had consistently and persistently admonished my wife with quality counseling and guidance which had helped shape and sharpen our lives together. We owe you so much for our journey so far; only God can fully repay you for it. You have been an integral and influential part of my children’s lives right from their toddler ages till adolescence. You were always present at all the crucial moments and events in their lives; boarding school visiting days, secondary school graduations, university matriculations and graduations. You also found your way to Dolapo’s Medical School graduation which took place outside the shores of igeria, and your presence there really did embellish
the whole event with so much colour and glamour.
You have always made it a point of duty to be a part of their journeys, showering them with so much love and attention, no wonder they all grew to love you so very dearly and consider you a Super Grandma. I can equally attest to how caring and loving you have been as sister and aunt to your brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews but I will not pre-empt anyone the opportunity to relay their first-hand experience of the relationship they share with you, in as much as anyone cannot relay mine better than me.
Every child has a mother, but only the lucky ones have ones that double as both pillars of support and
ideal role models. You have been, over the years, very supportive of your children and their spouses alike. Your well-timed interventions and the magnanimity with which you rendered them cannot be easily forgotten. You had spent years past celebrating others and never much yourself. The Almighty had ordained this day to be your day of elation and celebration, as for me, my wife and our children, today is all about you. No matter the magnitude of pleasant surprises that this 80th birthday celebration
might have thrown your way, be rest assured you are most deserving of them all and a whole lot more. I glorify the Almighty for granting us the opportunity and wherewithal to make your 80th birthday a grand celebration, I also pray with all piety that He shall in His infinite mercies further grant us the favour and grace to celebrate your 90th in much greater stead. Happy 80th birthday to you dear mother, you are by all measures of scale, a fabulous mother-in-law. If I happen to come back in another life, I will surely seek you out to be my mother-in-law all over again, tying the knot a second time with your same oldest child, the one you named Oluyemi at birth but I had since dubbed, Heartbeat because she is the biggest of all the miracles in my life second only to the divine gift of life itself. Wishing you long life, good health, continuous blessings and unending favour.
(OmobaAnikiiaya) Olabode Onanuga
Your son-in-law
Wow! Mum, you’re 80years already …. how time flies. I can remember at least the past 50 years and probably over 40 years vividly and all I can say is THANKYOU … What resonates with me the most is how strong and hard working you were.From when you were working in Lagos and we lived at Ewekoro. You drove to and fro to work everyday. That accident you had … complete right off and how quickly you went back to work even though you were pregnant. How you combined being a full time banker,
wife and motherhood with 6 children. Wow To the past 17 years after the demise of dad. How you managed to hold the family together. I didn’t realise how much you did for us when I was growing up until I started having my own children. I can only say “Thank you ma” . We love you so much and so proud of you mum. And most importantly, for showing us how to love the Lord! Although, I am not sure if we say it enough. Thank you for all the wonderful memories and for all the moments we spend with you now. We pray that God continues to keep you in strength and wealth …. .IJMN E se pupo ma!Happy 80th birthday mum We love you
–Kunle Akinfolarin
Rejoicing and thanking God for His Grace upon your life. Your love of God and the things of the kingdom is admirable. Thank you for the many prayers through the different seasons of life. May the good lord continue to keep you in strength and Health in Jesus name. Amen. Lots of love to a mother of
–Toyin Akinfolarin
Dear Mama, it is with great joy that I am able to pen down these few words of appreciation for who you are: *Godly mum who instilled good values and character in me *An excellent preacher of patience, humility, understanding and love for one another *An awesome teacher of hardwork, resilience, doggedness and determination *Beautiful inside and out, smart ,kind, generous and never gives up on people I am grateful for who I am today because of you.
Happy 80th birthday mother. I wish you many more years in good health, God’s protection and goodness. Amen
–Dapo Akinfolarin
Dear Mother-in-love, my second mum, Words cannot express my gratitude to God for having you celebrate your 80th birthday. You are truly a mother who has always been on my side and given me inspiration. Thank you for your unwavering support and understanding. To the one who accepted me as her daughter with her arms wide open, happy birthday!! With love
–Omolara
Sweet, strong, brave, hardworking, resilient, kind, loving, inituitive, are words that can only describe a fraction of my mother’s attributes. How she manages to be so much to so many people, remains marvel. She knows my worries before I have voiced them, completes actions before I have asked, my greatest cheerleader in time of rejoicing, and permanently on the alter of prayers! I cherish out hours of gisting, singing, dancing, storytelling with words of wisdom. A l ifetime of thank you’s is my testimony. Love you loads Mum, Mama Oloriire, Mama Right, Mama Mosun, Mama Ondo, Yeye Ogbodu, Grandma, Great Grandma, Our Matriach.
Thank you for everything. Thank God for what is to come, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
–Dr. Mosunmola Fapohunda
Dear Grandma Akins Congratulations on your 80th birthday. What a great achievement. We thank God for your life. Thank you for your constant love and encouragement over the years. You have always been a pillar of support. May God bless you mightily and may he continue to grant you grace, many more years of good health and happiness Many Happy Returns Mummy.
–Dr. Ilemobayo Fapohunda
All things bright and beautiful!
It’s the season we’ve all been waiting for, and with so much enthusiasm; it’s the day we’ve all looked forward to with so much joy in our hearts! And here it is, the big 80 of our darling Mom, grandmother, great grandmother, our very own Mama Right, Yeye Ogbodu! It is the day the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it!! You demonstrate God’s love in every way, and you continue to show it in your unwaivering support and kindness. Thank you for all your love, and sacrifices, and for teaching us what it means to give of yourself. You’re the true definition God’s faithfulness, and His overflowing blessings. It gladdens our heart to wish you a beautiful birthday, and to celebrate your life with thanksgiving. We pray God’s mighty hand of grace will continue to rest upon you ma. Your beauty will not diminish, and your strength will continue to be renewed like that of the eagle. We pray the lord will bless you profoundly, grant you the grace to fully enjoy the fruits of your labour, grand you many more fulfilling years in good health, and sound mind in Jesus’ name!
Happy birthday Mommy Dearest!!!
–Fisayo and Tolu Akinfolarin
Dearest Mummyrakins
My mother, my rock, my friend and queen of my heart.l’m so grateful to God for the opportunity to celebrate your 80th birthday with you. Thank you for constantly being a pillar of strength and support my family and I. Thank you for your love and for the sacrifices you’ve made through the years. I will never forget how you stood solidly by me when I needed you the most. Abiyamo tooto, alatileyin mi.llook at you and marvel at how much God has blessed you mum – from being the only child of your mother to becoming the most amazing Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother to many.l pray that this new chapter of your life brings forth much more blessings than you’ve ever hoped for or imagined. Continue to bask in God’s unending love and abundant grace.
–Love Always, Doyin
