•What Her Kids & Family Members Wrote About Her
For 2 days early this month, family members and well-wishers gathered at Ile Oluji for the burial of Mama Victoria Mojibola Olubakinde.
It was a grand event as the Lying-in-State, Christian Wake-Keep, Burial Service and Reception were held in this great town of the Ile-Oluji.
But many don’t know much about this great woman who gave birth to many distinguished children.
Let’s tell you a little about Mama Victoria Mojibola Olubakinde who was born in Ode-Ondo on July 11, 1932, to Pa Samuel Bolarinwa of the Olasegha High Chief Adaja of Ondo Dynasty and Madam Esther Moromoke Bolarinwa from the royal family of Ewi of Ado Ekiti both of blessed memory. Her father, Pa Samuel Bolarinwa Olasegha passed on when mama Mojibola was about 10 years of age and together with her siblings were left in the care of their aunt Late Madam Eunice Olatujo Adewole of blessed memory who assisted their mother in taking care of them alongside her own children.
Mama V.M Olubakinde came at a time when formal education was not a priority for female children, though she desired very much to be formally educated, the opportunity was not available. She however was engaged in the family petty trading and selling to assist in augmenting for her mother and siblings. She eventually developed herself and could read and write. She was baptized and confirmed in All Saints Church Ogbonkowo Ondo. Mama later as a young girl lived with her uncles, Late Dr Festus Olaniyi Adewole who was practising as a medical officer in different parts of Nigeria and later, Late Pa Eric Adewole in Lagos.
While in Lagos, young Mojibola trained as a tailor (fashion designer). It was here that chemistry between young and pretty Mojibola from Ondo and handsome Samuel Olorunsola, a young Sanitary Inspector in Lagos an indigene of lIe-Oluji and also a brilliant former student of Mojibola’s Uncle, Pa Eric Adewole in Ondo Boys High School (OBHS) clicked. The love between the two gained traction and were married in 1952. The marriage is blessed with glorious children. They relocated to Badagry after marriage and worked later in Ikorodu, Agege in Lagos and Ibadan. The family later moved to On do state in 1984 after the old Western state was split into three states.
In the whole of this time in the various locations, Mama Victoria Mojibola Olubakinde was a highly industrious, consistent, dedicated and committed general merchant. She engaged in different types of trading ranging from Building materials, Textiles, Shoes, Foods, Drinks, Soaps and detergents to mention but a few. Late Chief Samuel Olorunsola Olubakinde and Mama Victoria Mojibola Olubakinde lived peacefully in their Ile-Oluji home after retirement for a long time. They had their marriage blessing celebration after 50 years of marriage in Saint Peters Anglican Church lIe-Oluji, now the Cathedral of Saint Peter Ile-Oluji in the year 2002. She passed on peacefully to glory at 09:45 am on Sunday, October 3, 2021 Mama belonged to Egbe Ibisi Oreofe in the Cathedral of Saint Peter lIe-Oluji On do State She had lived a glorious, successful, supportive and impactful life in Christ Jesus. She is survived by glorious children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a half-sister, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, cousins, nephews and nieces.
Below, some of them revealed what they will miss about Mama…
TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER
My Mother – Mama Deji as she was fondly called was a loving wife to an equally loving & wonderful husband. Meeting and marrying my father was an answer to her prayers to the Almighty God when she lost her father at a tender age. According to her, she constantly put in a prayer for God to send her a husband that will share her life till old age and jointly nurture the fruits of their marriage to maturity, bringing them up in the way of the Lord and providing them with a good education.
Apart from being a devout loving wife, Mama was a caring mother to all her children extending beyond her biological children. She opened her home and took care of many. Her children know her to be a firm and no-nonsense mother. She stood for biblical principles of morals. Mama Deji was a caring sister to her siblings and was welcoming and welcomed by her in-laws. Ultimately my mother lived for her family and, she got satisfaction as a successful trader wonderfully balancing her home and businesses. The Olubakinde household was earmarked for the Lord by the union of my parents Mr & Mrs. S.O. Olubakinde. They taught my siblings and me the way of the Lord from a tender age: we maintained morning devotion daily and prayers before bedtime. Gospel music was always resonating in our home; my father an organist and mother, would organize choir practice on weekends for all their children. We were taught many hymns during this time, some memorable ones I recall are: ‘Mo Femi mi sabe’ and ‘Emi Orun Sokalewaa.’
I appreciate the Almighty God for the opportunity and giving unto us to come through our parents and grow up in the atmosphere of peace and love. I thank God for my mother’s peaceful exit to the great beyond where we shall meet to part no more. Goodnight Mama. The Memory of the just is blessed – Proverbs 10:7
Pastor Mrs. Idowu Dosumu (Nee Olubakinde)
MY MUM – A HIGHLY FAVOURED WOMAN
When our father – mum’s heartthrob – went to be with the Lord in 2014, we did not have the opportunity to be by his bedside but I thank God that you stayed with us for seven years more during which we bonded very well and at death, my older sister and I were by your bedside. lye Idowu, staying with me in my home gave me the opportunity to learn a lot about ageing; You shared your life experiences with me, how much you loved our father, that you were always telling me that you wanted to go and meet him. The time finally came on Sunday, 3rd October 2021, when you opened your eyes wide, looked around and closed them permanently lye Deji, you really are a highly blessed woman. Though your father died when you were very young, you prayed for, and God gave you a husband, who loved you and cherished you till he left you at old age to be with the Lord. lye Jumoke, you were so kind-hearted that you gave me away at the age of 9 months to satisfy somebody. You took care of everyone that came your way. I got so many favours because of daddy’s and your good deeds.
You were bold, very industrious, and enterprising. I give glory to God for such an impactful mother that you were. You and our father were Godly parents. You never left us your children alone. Proverbs 29 v 15b says .. .’ but a child left to himself bringeth his mother shame’. I appreciate the sacrifices you made, the seeds you sowed, the love you invested, the energy you dissipated and the prayers you made on our behalf (your children). They worked and are still working for us. I thank God for how far the Lord kept you to see, not only your grandchildren but many great-grandchildren. The Lord kept you in perfect health and peace throughout your lifetime. Isa 26 v 3 says “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee. Glory be to the name of the Almighty God. Maami, O digba, iye orno, Omo Lisida beji roba. May your soul rest in peace and rise in Glory.
Your daughter, Pst (Mrs.) BosedeAlaba Akinola
MY TRIBUTE TO MOM
I am thankful to God for the beautiful and Godly life our mother Mojibola lived when she was with us. She loved our dad with all her being and dad also reciprocated with the same measure. They were very friendly and they played board games like Ludo, ayo-olopon together in their spare time. They also played card games too.
We witnessed sincere love between them. We had a very stable home while growing up. Mom was a businesswoman who contributed morally and financially while we were in school. Mom loved her other three siblings with all her energy. Uncles Olusola and Olawanle preceded her in death while their eldest sister is alive. May the Lord grant her the fortitude to be the loss of her aburo Mojibola. Mom was a firm but loving person who took very good care of her biological children and others living in our home. Our home used to be one of prayer when dad was alive and even up till now. Mom was very compassionate and ready to assist people around her financially and morally. There are lots of things to say about my mom. No doubt I’m going to miss her but I’m glad that she has finally gone to meet her Olorunsola. She was always asking him to come get her. To God be the glory.
Mr. Akindeji Olubakinde
TRIBUTE TO MY MUM
Our times and seasons are in God’s hands, Ps. 31:15.1 return all Glory, Honor, and Majesty to the Lord who had used you as a vessel unto honor. Maami (mum) 1 do not doubt in my mind the your experiences after your dad passed on when you were about 10 years of age influence your prayers and decisions to make a success of your life and simultaneously be a pillar (support and encouragement to the underprivileged or the helpless.
You welcomed everyone into our home without the slightest resistance; my uncles and aunts at different times lived and grew with us and you ensured your unalloyed support and care for them just like your own. You made everyone comfortable and welcomed. You were a darling of all of them to date. You were a woman of great substance, you supported dad all the way and together you brought us up in the way of the Lord, showed us, love, constantly encouraged us to love one another, and never give room for disunity.
Maami, you were a businesswoman to the core, a general merchant, you liked counting money and you used it to bring comfort to everyone in need. You paid little attention to the material. things, but rather ensured that we were all well fed at all times. Mum, you were a giver, you never wanted anyone to lack.
Maami you were selfless, you showed empathy, you would not stand anyone being ill-treated or downtrodden, you stood up for the weak; you would not condone any nonsense. You stood for what was right always. You were a faithful, loyal, dedicated, and committed mum and we learned that from you and dad. Mum, 1 am proud of you. You loved God and enjoyed singing and praising him with hymns and your tambourines while dad played the organ. Mum, you have done excellently well. We all miss your smile, your care, and your love. Joan Jomiloju Fiyinfoluwa Olubakinde, your granddaughter missed you so much, she recently went to check your room to be sure. One more thing mum, your cooking was supper, till date 1 and Pastor Imoh Ekpin would talk about it.
We however take consolation in the fact that you are at peace in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ where dad has been waiting all this while for you, there we shall all meet again. Rest in peace mum.
–Your son-Pastor Olufemi Olubakinde
TRIBUTE TO ‘Maami’ MRS VICTORIA MOJIBOLA OLUBAKINDE
Maami, iye omo lajijo Vic, as fondly called by my dad was the bible Proverb 31 woman personified; a woman of great virtue, Mum was a loving, caring, and very supportive wife to my dad, Sisi Jibola was an exemplary mum and a disciplinarian to the core.
She was highly industrious, very enterprising, and had good business acumen till her very old age, Sisi Jibola with her husband was strong on family unity, cohesion, warmth, and progress. Maami, you and dad modelled integrity, responsibility and commitment, love and support, godliness and morality.
Thanks for your kindness, warmth, financial, moral support, and synergy with dad to give us a good education, a beautiful and warm home ambience. Even our friends were welcomed with warmth, careful and loving attention. Thank you so very much for nurturing us to become well adjusted, God-fearing, and united siblings.
Mum was a fantastic cook, a good homemaker, and a fashionista, I learned to eat semolina because of her delicious fried stew and ewedu vegetable, While growing up, she always had house helps but she ensured all her children were well domesticated, While in elementary school in ICC Practicing School, Oke-Ado Ibadan, our hairdos were always neat and our school uniform clean and well ironed all through the week to the admiration of our teachers. Our Christmas dresses were always modest, stylish, and beautifully made by mum herself as a professional seamstress.
She invested creativity in her husband’s wardrobe and hers. An exemplary couple they were. I thank God for the privilege of coming through you to the world. Sisi Vic stretched out her hands to the poor and the needy, very hospitable and accommodating to her in-laws both young and old. Always looking out for the wellbeing of the less privileged among her extended family members and how to add value to the lives of her nieces and nephews. Maami had a lovely disposition to her neighbours and she treated all her tenants as family members.
Thank you for your care and kind support during my childbearing years and in parenting, Can I ever forget your prayers and intercession for me and my family while going through the wilderness season of life and the tough beginning of entrepreneurship as an educator and an “eduprenuer” Mum, you are one in a million.
Maami, you and dad were two love birds, exemplary parents, grandparents, family life practitioners, and believers in Jesus Christ. Indeed your marriage was ordained from heaven. How I cherish the beautiful memories of our family prayer time where dad played the keyboard and mum, the choir leader, and we the offsprings members of the choir. We all got married and you and dad remained the duo in the choir back at home. You both quietly mentored your young adult grandchildren into becoming responsible adults, church musicians, multi-instrumentalists, choristers and some eventually have become pastors in their various churches in addition to their secular profession.
Sisi Vic, thank you so very much for holding fort even when your soulmate, my dad, left 7 years ago, you were emotionally shattered but God’s Grace and love kept you. You both returned to heaven in October which is the Family Life month in CLAM, during our church services and your commitment to mother earth fell on the same week of the same month of December. Now that you and daddy are together with God, let the worship hymns continue for your creator, the Holy God.
You came, you saw and you conquered You deserve your rest now in the bosom of your maker till the resurrection morning 2 Timothy 4: 7-8
“Mum, you have fought a good fight, you have finished your course, you have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give you at that day: and not to you only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. “ Adieu maami, Jibabi, Omo lisida Ibe’jiroba neewuo . Wo lani o yei, iye omo lajijo
–Pastor Mrs Olubukola Oladiyun
MY MOTHER (S1S1 JIBOlA)
I am eternally grateful to God Almighty for giving me a special, dutiful, wonderful, kind-hearted mother who stood by her children in all situations and circumstances. A mother who took care of other people’s children as if they were hers’. A virtuous woman. Mum is an inestimable jewel who made sure that we were sound spiritually, very early in life, I grew up to know a mum who loved to pray with the book of psalms with fasting. She would rather be in church than anywhere else. Thanks so much for everything, as young children you made sure that we looked beautiful and neat at all times that our teachers waited for us to come to school before they call the hairstyle for girls, very creative a woman. She was a great chef who prepared balanced diets for the family, even in old age she rejected any food that was not freshly cooked or tasty. “Afinju ni mama”, very neat and orderly just like her hubby. Thanks so much for all the moral values you impacted in us. Sleep on mum, you deserve to take your rest now. Good night “Sisi Jibola”. Obirin bi Okunrin.
–Mrs. Fadekemi Durotimi
TRIBUTE TO MY DARLING MOTHER
Maami, Victoria Mojibola, Lisida, be tiji roba n’owuo, Akuke daja ghun won nisida, ganganan e daja ghun won i, wo la ni o yei. What shall we say unto the Lord but to give him thanks for a life well spent, despite all odds, you lived a fulfilled life, the death of your father at a very young age deprived you of certain things, but you rose above the situation. The Lord surrounded you with love, your husband loved you till his dying moments, your Children also loved you, truly, to live in the hearts of those that love you is not to die.
You were an example of a good wife, you supported your husband and built a beautiful and loving family together, with the help of God, you inculcated the virtues of love and togetherness in us, this has been a source of strength to us as what affects one affects all. How magical the moments used to be, when we would all come home to Ile-Oluji and grandpa will be on the piano, and the rest of us would sing different songs and hymns from the Anglican hymn book, praising and worshipping God together, how soul-lifting it used to be, those were the days!!!
Our house used to be a meeting point for intellectuals, both young and old, it used to be the toast of the town, all because of your work in synergy with grandpa, Maami, thank you for all the hard work, Maami, thank you for all the sacrifice, Maami, thank you for the beautiful memories, Maami, thank you for the stable environment you gave us, your children to grow in. Maami, thank you for your words of encouragement, Maami, thank you for your chastisements when necessary Maami, thank you for your prayers.
You would always say you don’t want to stress your Children when it’s time for you to meet with your saviour, that you would prefer to go in peace, thank you for your thoughtfulness!!! The sudden death of your beloved husband about 7 years ago hit you hard, but you still stayed with us this long, we can only thank God for his faithfulness.
Our loss is heaven’s gain. Your husband will be overjoyed to be with you again, your siblings will welcome you with love, your mum and your mother in law who you loved and cared for will be happy to see you.
I wish we could turn back the hands of time to re-live those good times, Alas!!! it is not possible, no doubt we will miss you, but we are comforted with the word of God in 1 Thess. 4:13 and 14 and Proverbs 4:18.
Goodnight mum, we shall meet at Jesus feet where we will part no more your loving daughter.
Mrs. Jumoke Okeowo
TRIBUTES TO MAMA VICTORIA MOJIIBOLA OLUBAKINDE
Wo lani o,Yemi Jibola Omo Bolarinwa Omo Adaja Olasegha ni Ugbonmoba,Ondo Aya Baba Olorunsola Olubakinde,Omo Lijoka Aboun, Okete Poluru ni Ile-Oluji. Hmmmmm, You and your husband Bami Olorunsola gave me your daughter Olubukola “Akokoewa” when there wasn’t anything seemingly visible about me. You trusted God and Providence to see us through. You encouraged and supported us always
Thank you Yemi Jibola. You were very industrious. Greatly gifted with hindsight native intelligence. Your intuition was unequalled. A keen observer and counsellor you were, A born trader who till her last breath wished to go to Idumota Lagos to buy goods for sale. You were very good in investing funds. A multi-gifted and diligent trader. Very ambidextrous and calculating. A supportive wife and an extremely caring mother. Very generous to her extended families and neighbours.
A lover of Hymns and Prayers. Deeply gifted in herbal medicine. Mama was beautiful, neat and fashionable. She was always resplendent in her native Ondo attire. I personally cherish you and your memory lingers on in me till we meet to part no more. Once again, thanks for giving me my wife. Love from your grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the Oladiyuns. Greet Baba Samuel Olorunsola Olubakinde for me ooo. Adieu!
Your Son-in-law
Pastor Wole Welly Oladiyun.
Senior Pastor. CLAM
TRIBUTE TO MAMA
Mama, you were a great and prayerful mother. You accepted me as your daughter, you took me from lIe-Oluji to Ibadan to stay with you. I appreciate everything you did for me. Thank God for a life well spent. We will all miss you.
Deaconess Titilola Makinwa (Nee Olubakinde)
I consider it a great opportunity to have this virtuous woman as my mother in-law. Right from day one, mama accepted me withjoy as her son rather than an in-law. Mama showed me love and total acceptance. I cannot forget how she took me into her room in the morning of our wedding and prayed for me from the bottom of her heart and sealed the prayer with water which she poured onto my hands. Mama rendered ‘omugo’ services with dexterity each time we had new baby. I used to watch her with keen interest how she stretched the legs and hands of our babies and always called them omoluabi when they are crying. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord till we meet to part no more. Adieu mama oninuure.
–Yale Okeowo (Son-in-law)
TRIBUTE TO GRANDMA OLUBAKINDE
Mama, you were a precious gift from God. Words alone cannot describe how much you are missed sweet mother, but our consolation is that you are resting in the Lord. You are greatly missed. May your soul continue to rest in peace. Adieu mama.
Mrs. Matilda Olubakinde (daughter-in-law)
Mrs. Olugbemisola Olubakinde (daughter-in-law)
Ye mi Jibola, though I met you in your very old age, I am glad I did. I am blessed to have met you, Mama. Thank you for being with us and granting Jomiloju the opportunity of befriending her paternal Grandmother. Your testimony speaks Mama. You are a fighter! A very strong woman in your days! An unrepentant giver! Mama, you showed me love and friendship. Though short-lived, one I cherish. I remember how you sat me down to tell me stories in your room back in lle-Oluji.
You told me stuff that made me feel welcome and special. I don’t know how but I feel so reassured when around you. You told me not to fear that I should look at how you have stayed long in your husband’s house. You lived so long to see your great-grandchildren. Oh, what a BLESSING!!! Thank you Ye mi Victoria, all your wishes and prayers over me shall be fulfilled if the coming of the Lord tarries. Now that you have seen your groom, our Lord Jesus Christ, reign with the Cherubim and sing with the Seraphim. Sun re oo ye omo.
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