•At The Cathedral Church Of St. PAUL, SAGAMU, OGUN State
Sagamu came alive on Thursday 15 December, 2022. when Mrs. Titilayo lyabode Akinyebo (JP) (nee Sanni) was installed as the Iya Egbe Aya Bisoobu of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul Sagamu.
It was a colourful event as many top dignitaries stormed the ceremony. Her daughter is Hon (Mrs.) Funmi Efunwape a Commissioner in Ogun State. Mama was born on 12th December, 1938 with other 2 senior brothers into the family of Pa Sanni Abiodun Animasaun (alais Baba Elekuro) and Madam Awanotu Eniyamoke Sanni who was from Ategbese family. Both parents were from Ijebu Isiwo under Ijebu Ode Local Govt. in Ogun State.
She started her Primary School at St. Andrew’s Anglican School, Ipaja (Now in Lagos State) in 1948 to 1950 and completed her primary education at Christ Church Ang. School, Ijebu Isiwo her home town in 1954. She started work as a clerk with Onward Patient Medicine Stores at Ijebu-Ode for two years before she joined the teaching profession at St. Andrew’s Ang. School, Odo Asoyin in 1957 under Ijebu-Ode Local Govt. She was baptized the same year. She taught for three years (3 yrs) and gained admission to Divisional Teachers’ Training College, Iperu Remo (which was called Igbo-Adan) in January 1960 to December 1961 for her Grade III certificate.
She attended Women’s Teachers Training Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta for her Grade II Teachers Certificate in 1973.
She attended University of Ibadan for her Associateships Certificate in Education ACE in 1982. She also attended Institute of Church and Society, University of Ibadan for Guidance and Counseling course in 1990.
She worked in the following schools: (1) St. Andrews Ang. School, Odo-Asoyin 1/1/57-1/12/59, (2) Local Authority School, Ajeregun in Remo 1/1/62-1/12/62 (3) L.A Modern School, Ogere and L.A Pry School Ipara 1/1/64-31/12/64, (4) Christ Ang. Church School, Ode Remo 1/1/65-1/6/65 (5) St. Thomas Ang. School, Badagry 1/7/65-31/12/69, (6) St. John’s Catholic School, Iperu 1/1/70-31/12/71, (7) Salvation Army School, Iperu 1/1/73-31/12/74, (8) St. Saviour’s Ang. School, Ikenne 1/175-31/8/78 and (9) Ansar Ud-deen School, Makun, Sagamu 1/9/78-31/12/1991 when she retired after 35 years working experience without break.
Mrs. Titilayo Iyabode Akinyebo was married to Hon. Michael Kayode Akinyebo (of blessed memory) on 13 March, 1965. The marriage with Hon Akinyebo was blessed with a daughter, Hon. Oluwafunmilayo Temidayo.
Oluwaseun Efuwape whom she can now be proud of with grandchildren after waiting on the Lord for the fruit of the womb for Ten (10) years – praise the Lord! Halleluiah!!!
Titilayo is an active member of Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Sagamu. She had served as a member of the Standing Committee, Secretary Harvest Committee, Member Development Committee and Member Finance Committee between 1984 to 1992. She had been the Secretary and Financial Secretary for her Church Women’s Guild between 1990- 2003. She is a member of Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild of her church. She went on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1995.
She was honored as one of the Women of Grace by the Diocesan in 2005 for family day.
i. Titilayo is the initiator and lady President of Oluwa-seun Society from 1980 to date.
ii. She was an adviser and later became the Patroness of Christian Unity Band of Nigeria.
iii. She is the Patroness of Christ Little Band of Nigeria. All of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Sagamu.
iv, She is the Patroness of the Choir, Cathedral Church of St. Paul.
v. She is a Member of Scripture Union.
vi. She is a life member and special members forum of Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) Sagamu Central Auxiliary, Remo Area.
She has won so many awards/investitures like: the Bible Society of Nigeria, Sagamu Central Auxiliary – Patroness 14th April, 2013.
2. WOWICAN-Ogun State – Life Patroness 28th November, 2013.
3. WOWICAN-Sagamu Central Area- Life Patroness 16th June, 2016.
4. Award of Excellence by Sagamu Metropolitan Lion’s Club for selfless Service to Humanity – 20th April, 2015 Lions Year.
Titilayo Iyabode Akinyebo has cordial relationship with all her immediate and extended families, both at home and abroad. She is very peaceful with the relations in her matrimonial home and a friend to all both old and young people that had contact with her. She is a member of Ladies Progressive Club ‘66’, Makun Sagamu and their Treasurer for years.
A member of National Council of Women Societies in Sagamu Ogun State. (An NGO NCWS).
Her best verse in the Psalm is Psalm 113 verse 9 which read thus- “He gives the barren Woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children”.
Prince Dapo Abiodun the Ogun State Governor congratulated her via a 1 page letter. It reads: “It is with great delight that I convey the very warm felicitations of my family, the government and good people of Ogun State to you on your installation as Iya Egbe Aya Bishop of Cathedral of St. Paul, Sagamu on Thursday, 15th December, 2022. Congratulations Mama.
Your conferment as Iya Egbe Aya Bishop of Cathedral of St. Paul is not just filling a routine position; rather it is a testimony of your love for Christ and your interest in His kingdom. This is an attestation of your selfless service in the House of God; where you have been extremely courageous, always serving as a rallying point for people in the Lord’s vineyard and beyond, thereby becoming a beacon of hope for the upcoming generations. Definitely, I am confident that your wealth of experience and personal attributes of courage, tenacity, selflessness and love for humanity will put you in good stead to discharge the duties of this new role.
I am excited to felicitate with you and the entire member of Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Sagamu on this auspicious occasion. It is my prayer that Almighty God will give you wisdom and grant you sound health, so that you continue to remain a source of support to the household of God.”
Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) also congratulated her via a 1 page letter.
“The bestowing of the position of “Iya Egbe Aya Bishop” of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Sagamu on you is indeed a recognition of your service to God and humanity in your religion. It is indeed we deserved for a mother and grandmother that parented not only her biological children to successful adulthood but many others that are contributing to the development of the society.
I congratulate you on this recognition and pray for many more years in good health with other recognitions and awards.”
