Doyin was an angel and a blessing to those around her. The Lord Jesus Christ will continue blessing her family in these hard times. In Jesus mighty name. Amen

I have been at a loss for words ever since I found out. I keep thinking back to VBS in Rome in August 2005 and how much fun we had. You were so vibrant and a great helper! And I remember when you and your friends came over to my apartment and entertained me with your stories and jokes.

I cannot imagine how your family is dealing with this but I pray that the Lord will comfort them. You were such a jewel and I know that you are shining in heaven. Seeing all the wonderful photos of you is moving and I thank God for all the lives that you touched. You were (and are) loved by many and will be forever missed.

Rest in your Father's bosom beautiful one.

Lots of love, Lade. 

Beloved Doyin with the short time that you have spent with us , you have impacted on all around you with your lovely smile.
May you rest in perfect peace and good night untill we meet again.


Aunty Charity 

 

Dearest Doyin, 

I cannot express how much this news hurts. As humans, we always say "I'll see them later. I will call her later. I will hang out with him later." It is so painful when "later" is snatched from us. But who are we to question God? 

I still remember the summer that you came to US with our dear mutual friend Rola. She introduced me to you and immediately we clicked. Very similar personalities. If there is one thing I remember about you, it was your strong personality. You knew what you wanted and you were not afraid to say it. In August 2009, I took you all to Washington DC for the first time and we spent the day at the DC Zoo and as we were getting ready to leave, you insisted that you wanted to see the White House, the Senate building and different memorials in Washington DC. I remember saying, "Are you serious?! It's been such a long day! And it's HOT! And we are all tired!" lol. But you insisted. You said "I'm going to be a lawyer in the future. Every lawyer should see these historical places in Washington DC. I need to take pictures!" 
And so we went...

I remember June of 2014, after you had moved to Nigeria, we planned to meet up and never got to. I saw you briefly at a lounge in the restroom... We screamed and hugged and took selfies and we both said "Call me! We need to do something together!" But never did. I remember on the plane back to US, I thought "Oh, I never got to see Doyin again... I will call her the next time I go back to Nigeria, so that we can spend more time together" But God had other plans. Heaven couldn't wait for you. 

I knew you for such a brief time. But still, you left an impact on me. Here's a pic from the zoo in DC. You were always so excited to take pictures here in the states and everywhere, really. As if you knew the importance of holding on to memories.
You will surely be missed. Rest in Peace Beautiful.

Dearest Doyin,

I still remember my first day in Nigeria. I didn't know what to expect. I came to my room and was greeted with your beautiful smile. You were so kind and so friendly to me- a foreigner in Nigeria for the first time. I can never forget the day we had the bat incident- people bond over shared experiences and we bonded over bat phobia! My first day in Lagos you took me to Bottles and took it upon yourself to welcome me to a city you yourself had just arrived to. Over the course of next 3 months you became my room-mate, my friend, and my sister. We shared stories, secrets, ambitions, aspirations. Whether it was love, life, religion, men, advice, experiences- we discussed it all. I can't believe I will never hear you call my name in the sing-song voice "Sulz...ann" again.When we went out you were always so protective of me. An angel with a soft heart and a steely determination. Everytime I see a Bounty or a packet of Tuc, it reminds me of you. How much you loved those! I can never do Shoki again without thinking of you. You and Fola taught me the moves! Lagos will never be the same again for me without you. With you gone, it feels as if the life must have gone from Lagos...

I still remember when you told me that despite having a car you didn't drive much because, "You were afraid". It was as if a fateful premonition...Fate took you away from us but I know you must be in a better place. I feel very fortunate that I was able to spend some precious moments with you and got an opportunity to know you. You were such a beautiful, elegant, honest, and warm person. You will always live in my memories. Rest in peace! I will miss you. 

<3

“We all start off as strangers at some point in time but it’s funny how someone who was once a stranger to you can mean the world.”

I met Doyin in 2011 when a mutual friend invited me to her party in London, when I got there I said hello to her and despite not knowing me, in the midst of entertaining the 10 million of her friends that were there that day, she still made the effort to give me a warm welcome and asked how I was. We didn’t end up speaking again that night but little did I know that was only the beginning of what was to become a life changing friendship.

Fast forward three years to 2014 when I moved to Nigeria, the same mutual friend told me that the girl who threw that party a few years back had also moved to Lagos and we should get in touch; she gave me Doyin’s number and gave Doyin my number. Me not wanting to be forward, I thought how could I just call someone I hardly know and essentially ask to hang out and be friends; I didn’t call. A few days later, I got a call from an unknown number and it was Doyin! She said she was going to lunch with her cousin that day and invited me to join them, I agreed and I remember hanging up the phone thinking 'what a sweetie'. We met later that day and were pretty much inseparable ever since. Both being ‘IJGBs’, we tackled Lagos together: cinema, dinners, drinks, church, weddings, tailors – we did it all! Sometimes, she’d come to the salon and just watch me get my hair done and vice versa. She was supposed to move in with me but unexpectedly, I had to move back to London. It is an understatement to say that my Lagos experience wouldn’t have been the same without her. When I moved back to London, I thought life would take it’s toll and we wouldn’t speak as much. FALSE! We spoke even more than we used to. Distance couldn’t separate us; that’s the thing about Doyin, she put in work – she’d tag me in funny Instagram pictures, phone calls, whatsapp, voice notes, send pictures of her outfits and would send snippets of the daily devotional she was reading - she did it all! The times I have been back to Nigeria since I left, she’d make sure she’d see me every few days, even going the extra mile to meet my parents. One word that springs to mind when I think of DSF is ‘LOYAL’. The way she spoke of her best friends and her family, you just know that she’d do anything for them. Once she had made the decision to be there for someone, there was no letting go.

I won the friendship lottery by being friends with Doyin. One of the most sarcastic, honest, driven, protective, outspoken, focused, loved and loving women I know; she was the full package. I remember we were out one time and one girl tapped her on the shoulder to ask if she was @doyinsarah from Instagram. The girl was grinning from ear to ear as if she had just seen a celebrity, I could not believe what I had just witnessed, people looked up to Doyin. Rightly so, she was ‘GOALS’ not just in appearance but character. It spoke volumes!

Dear Doyin, four days on and I still can’t believe it is true, I wake up and my first instinct is to check my phone to see if you finally responded to the 567,899  whatsapp messages that I inundated you with whilst you were in hospital. The reality of knowing that I will never get a response to any of those messages hurts more than I can articulate in words. Who will I go to for the types of career conversations we had? And hair and skin care advice? #Irreplaceable. I really thought that you’d pull through and continue to be the same Doyin Sarah I came to know and love. There are so many things I’ll miss about you but fortunately, so many good times I can look back on and be comforted by. You were one of the greats, without a doubt one in a million and I feel there should be some sort of global recognition to fully capture the magnitude of what the world has lost. On the flip side, I know that heaven rejoiced when you were welcomed back home and you are there dressed to the nines doing that silly leg dance that the twins and I used to laugh at you for.

To Aunty and Uncle, I haven’t met you yet but I’d like to thank you for raising such a beautiful and kind-hearted person who impacted many lives in countless ways. I’m so grateful to have ‘done life’ with her and in our short but unforgettable friendship, she reminded me of so many things that in the chaos of life, we often forget:

- To pull out all the stops for the ones you love
- To love deeply and unapologetically
- To make an effort with EVERYONE you meet
- If you feel something, say it
- If you want something, don’t stop until you have it
- To maintain a positive mindset always
- Never leave the house without your hair done (a blowdryer will change your weave game)
- Do your nails!

Whilst it is incomprehensible that someone like her would be taken so early, I find solace in the belief that she has entered eternity with our Heavenly father. For those of us that she left behind, I just want to share four points that the sermon I heard today so aptly touched upon:

Title: When life shakes you and you’re not ready

- Keep The Faith
- Keep Together (Ecclesiastes 4:9- 10)
- Keep On Going (Galatians 4:7; John 10:10; Jeremiah 29:11)
- Keep On Praising (Psalm 139:14; Story of Paul and Silas)

Oyedoyin Sarah Fagbenro, you were a phenomenal woman. My forever friend, I love you infinitely!!! <3

'The Doyin Sarah' ... my local celeb. My first 'London friend' as you always teased me for never leaving my house in Essex. Never have I been so proud to be a friend. You touched so many lives and the several testimonials here are a true testament of you as a person and of your character.

It really hurts me to the core that the day we spent together during Christmas would be the last time I would set my eyes on you.. I can testify that you were such a strong willed individual and passionate about the things you truly cared about. Lagos was a new adventure for you and you always told me 'Trust me .. I'll be fine'.

On Wed night Chloe, Rola and myself stayed on the phone all night and tried to understand Gods plan - but honestly what can we say but that God knows best.

I can never forget the memories we had ... This picture is one of thousands :) we took at your flat in Bow. You were the only person I knew that actually employed her flat mates and made a rotation plan to take '5' pictures which then eventually always turned into photoshoot sessions haha. As Oyinkan also said the only person we know that loves to eat rice and stew at any time haha - oh Doyin our rice and stew mama

We have so many memories D both in London and Lagos which I honestly will cherish forever. I feel like there would be a piece missing now you are gone... But all is well. I love you always baby girl ....keep smiling and watching from above...I know heaven has gained an angel <3

'The Doyin Sarah' ... my local celeb. My first 'London friend' as you always teased me for never leaving my house in Essex. Never have I been so proud to be a friend. You touched so many lives and the several testimonials here are a true testament of you as a person and of your character.

It really hurts me to the core that the day we spent together during Christmas would be the last time I would set my eyes on you.. I can testify that you were such a strong willed individual and passionate about the things you truly cared about. Lagos was a new adventure for you and you always told me 'Trust me .. I'll be fine'.

On Wed night Chloe, Rola and myself stayed on the phone all night and tried to understand Gods plan - but honestly what can we say but that God knows best.

I can never forget the memories we had ... This picture is one of thousands :) we took at your flat in Bow. You were the only person I knew that actually employed her flat mates and made a rotation plan to take '5' pictures which then eventually always turned into photoshoot sessions haha. As Oyinkan also said the only person we know that loves to eat rice and stew at any time haha - oh Doyin our rice and stew mama

We have so many memories D both in London and Lagos which I honestly will cherish forever. I feel like there would be a piece missing now you are gone... But all is well. I love you always baby girl ....keep smiling and watching from above...I know heaven has gained an angel <3

There are so many memories I could share of my time with Doyin, but I will share our last...

Doyin came to visit my family on December 28, 2015. My mother is her birthday mate and wanted to meet her ever since she left a sweet message on my birthday frame in 2014 saying, "Happy Birthday Princess! God blessed me with a friend like you."

She played with my sister's twins that day, and they loved her. She took photos with them, and sent me her favourite one, saying she will frame it and show them when they are older.

Now, Doyin, I'm the one that'll frame them and show and tell them what a great person you were to me, and everybody. You went above and beyond for everyone. God blessed ME with a friend like YOU.

You were an industrious woman - you inspired me, a networker, a fashionista (hair always always on fleek!), a Proverbs 31 woman, and everything a friend could ask for.

I'll love you forever.

Ink 

Didi, as I fondly call you, I am still in total shock, I believed you will make it, I strongly thought all the drama "Car Accident' was simply for a testimony that you will surely give to your peers in the future, knowing how much of a leader and a convincer you are, many of them will surely turn to Christ.

You were so kind hearted, yet strong willed, that I understood you so well. A pure heart, determined to impart lives, we had many late nights on business strategic moves, putting in bids in the Petroleum companies, praying, talking about spiritual matters, I remember the night we went through the life of Esther, how despite her humble beginnings she saved a whole nation, and it gladdened my heart when you were asked who your favourite person in the bible was and you said Esther. 

You were such a sensitive soul, classy, elegant, absolutely amazing, beautiful inside and out, I was blessed to have looked after you for a year. We laughed, we had a silent way of communicating that no one understood. Doyin I was very proud of you, very, and loved you deeply.

You were the angel God sent ahead of me to Nigeria, my relocation was made easy because you always had my back and I yours, we were able to encourage each other when we found people so undependable, unkind and selfish, I forgot you were a child sometimes, because of the wisdom you displayed. You listened patiently, laughed easily and learned very quickly. Now that you are gone we keep going when we remember funny, and happy moments with you.

Sleep well my princess, I bet you are already having fun with the angels, arranging the chorus line, and your hair and make up looking impeccable. The Holy Spirit the greatest comforter will grant us the fortitude to smile again, we all miss you in the office, all the staff are still in shock, and Mr Solomon's jollof rice cannot have a fan better than you, eating it 15 times a week, LOL!!!! You were truly one of a kind. We love you so much but God loves you more. Adieu.

I met Doyin for the first time at a birthday party. My husband and I were one of the organisers. We were clearing up at the end of the party and Doyin came to join us and offered to help. At that point, I didn't even know she was Sister Dupe's daughter. We were just amazed at her kind gesture. She created so much impression on my heart that day that I will never forget her because she was just different. She smiled throughout as she helped and nothing was too much for her to do. She stayed with us until we finished clearing.

The news of her passing to glory shocked me so much as we really prayed for her. But God in His sovereignty took her to be with Him as He knows best.

She will always be missed and the joy we have is that we will meet again in heaven.

Love you. 

We became good friends just over a year ago and got so close so quickly. I liked Doyin the first day I met her, she was so friendly and we exchanged numbers without even having had a full conversation. There was something about her attitude to life that I admired. She lived life to enjoy it to the fullest. 

We met through mutual friends but our friendship grew independently. We just clicked. She would always message me to check up on me. She became such a good friend so soon. I now know it's because we didn't have that much time.
She was like my sister in Lagos. We talked about almost everything, what to do for fun, work, business ideas, family, friendships, men, marriage, our relationship with God and Doyins advice was always very useful. Within months we had made plans to go into business together and even live together. We messaged/ spoke everyday. 

She was fiery, a madam! A strong woman. She wasn't the most patient person, but she used to pray about it. She was the best bargainer always got the best deals. She was my go-to for everything I needed in lagos and I loved her for it. She was very particular, disliked sub-standard or average or "slow people" lol. She was a go-getter, she knew what she wanted and if she wanted something she would usually get it or was well on her way to getting it. Someone once said that if Doyin wanted to meet the Nigerian President today, she would probably talk her way to it and achieve it somehow. I agree.

She was caring, not everyone understood/ knew her well. But Doyin had a very warm heart. And she touched so many. She would never deliberately hurt another and she didn't hesitate to apologise for her wrong doings. She never held a grudge. I pray God has forgiven her and all of our sins.

I am so grateful for the short time that we got to know each other. She was a blessing to me and I am honestly going to miss her so much. I pray she's sleeping peacefully in Heaven. Her leaving so soon will not be in vain. She will inspire me in everything I do. I pray that God gives everyone that loved her the comfort and strength to get through this devastating period. I will miss her laugh so much. 

Doyin lived a happy life. She deliberately removed herself from negativity, surrounded herself with good people and focused on making herself happy, making her family and friends happy and proud and bettering herself. I know most will remember her for her fun spirit and infectious laughter but she was amazing soul and I will never forget the love Doyin showed me, even when she didn't have to. 

We had so many future plans, but God knows best. I can not believe I will never see you again in this world. Our time together was painfully short. But God needed you up there. We may never understand but God will give us the strength to accept it.

Love you Doyin.

It was Bibiana and Sam's wedding and the Queen Mary collective were out en force. As the revellers fatigued we continued to have fun on the dancefloor with the newlyweds. The way we danced to Shina Peters - Afrojuju that night... anyone would have thought you were happier to be there than the bride and groom. That was a sure sign of your personality and upbringing, always happy to see those around you succeed and do well.