It was quite hard for me to write this tribute as it’s still difficult referring to Mamendo using past tense.

Mamendo had such a large heart, ever ready to open her home and take anyone in.

Though firm, she was indeed always fair in her judgments and pronouncements.

There was never a dull moment around Mamendo, always so full of life and cheer. Her wit marveled me and her warmness always set me at ease.

While courting my beautiful wife, she would encourage me to come around after work sometimes even if Kemi was not yet back from the office and would insist that I take a hot meal, despite not being hungry atimes.

We would watch Yoruba films together and because the trailers shown
in-between movies were always so long, I would say “mo ti wo eleyi now!!!” and playfully boast that I had watched the entire movie knowing fully well I only caught a glimpse of the movie to which she would laugh heartily.

You are gone but never forgotten and will continue to live on through your Amazons.

It is tough time to overcome for anyone because your departure into eternal rest is irrecoverable doubt. Loved by all left memories that can never be forgotten for ever. My daughter, Kemi Segun-Oludimu, a friend like a darling Sister to your ever smiling and humble Bisi can never forget in a jiffy your love and kindness to her whenever you come across her. You took her as one of your biological daughters. No discimination at all. Rest on our dear mother/sister until that Resurrection morning when we shall meet to part no more.
"Sleep on beloved, sleep and take thy rest,
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour's breast,
We love thee well, but Jesus loves the best,
        Good night!

Dear Mummy Soetan,
May your soul rest in perfect peace. Your warmth, smile and tidiness will be missed. We couldn’t but notice how tidy your kitchen was the first time we came around your house. It was really lovely to see everything in its place. You didn’t have to say it, we knew immediately that you liked being tidy. Farewell Ma and may the good Lord comfort your family and loved ones on this side of eternity in Jesus name, Amen

Sonia Oladoyin

Rest in Peace dear Mum. Your loved ones will continue with the legacy you have left behind.

An integral part of all eighteen years I’ve spent on this earth. Served as not only someone who I looked up to with great admiration, but also a listening ear who I could sit with every other week to talk about life and the inner workings of it. You played the role of a loving and caring grandmother/tutor and for that I am incredibly grateful.

Rest Easy Grandma,
Your loving Grandson Dotun

May mummy's beautiful soul continue to rest in peace.....great Woman with a very beautiful heart ....sad I did not get to see you again. You loved me too....mother that wishes everyone arround her well ....you are ever beautiful in my heart...Adieu mummy

Adebisi Jacob

My condolences to all members of the family. She was a mother to all and she stood to be counted. I join others to pray that the good Lord will receive and bless her soul amen

Leke Atekoja

Our dear Mother, as we all journey through the triathlon of the anxieties of life routinely almost like an impersonal force, has given her beloved family a reason to pause and truly reflect on what matters the most in the gift of life we are all privileged to share with the living God, LOVE.

This is the greatest expression of gratitude for a gift so rare, to love the One who gifted us with the inexplicable miracle of life and by loving the ones around us showing them we care. Little wonder the passing of our dear Mother has left behind a cold void to be filled with the warmth of her loving memories by those she has impacted and infected with her motherly love. So she lives on in our collective memories just as she lives on in the memory of God, who says, do not be amazed, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, for he is a God not of the dead, but of the living, for they are all living to him.

So until we see again, I will forever cherish those wonderful memories I shared with her etched in my mind. For right from my childhood days growing up in this large family of ours, Mummy Zairia has we call her- indeed we traveled as a family back in the days to Zaria to spend our holidays with her and her family- is very much the first member of the family I personally knew as a relative through those formative years of mine just as nascent memories develops in the fetus and a baby bonds with the mother even before birth. This must be due to the special relationship she has with my Dad. I very well remember her scanning my reticent self with probing eyes when we go on our visits with a million questions, ba wo
ni Niyi, so wa okay, so ti jeun, bata e kere bata e e tobi, her curiosity for our well being extends to my siblings as well. Nevertheless, it was really later on in life I truly got to know her when caught in my own vortex hurtling through life she trailed me with support, encouraging talk over her countless calls, the numerous credits sent to me to be in touch, her rituals of stipends when I paid her a visit, because she did light up at the company of people so she always invited me over to her place and I enjoyed our little chit chats, the sort that old ladies really cherish. My rendezvous with her extended through what would be sanatorium, when she permanently had to be in Sister Bisi's place. I visited and spent quality time with her. In all, just like every other disciplinarian, like every other strong and passionate mother, Mrs Soetan shared the pertinent like passion of all powerful women, like gastropods, she is tough outside but really soft inside, and she recoils in not only when feels threatened but when she feels she has hurt others, revealing her true self, full of the warmth her family and friends now so dearly miss.

All these wonderful memories are what we all hope to rekindle and retain when the Creator makes all things new, when he wipes out every tear from our eyes, when death will be no more, neither mourning nor outcry nor pain, when the former things would have passed away. 

Dear grandma I remembered the love the strictness the affection the happiness you usually show when talking to your grand children miss you grandma
Adieu mama
From :Abimbola Soetan
      grand daughter

A mother like no other when I had the sad news of my mother in law's death I knew that someone that's dear to me is gone becos immediately I had the news first thing that come out of my mouth is that (who will now fight for me. God why?) Who will
be strict with me and at the same time draw me back and advise me like a mother would do to her daughter. But I know that I love her but God loves her more than me, I will really miss her so much rest in peace mummy as I always call her zzz's

My wife and I are saddened to hear of the loss of Mummy. Mummy was a great human being “Always checking in on everybody’s well being”.
I believe when we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us. Please take comfort in knowing that you have an angel to watch over you from now on.

Ojo a jina si ra....

Mr. & Mrs. Seun Shekoni

Aina. Iya oge. You fought the fight and won the race. We shall miss your jolly company and subtle bluntness. Good night dear sister. Sleep on in peace.

Mrs Shakirat Kazeem.

FROM THE LADIES PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY
      TO
OUR FORMER PRESIDENT

To some of us you were auntie, to others you were mummy. Not many called you 'sister' as we fondly do in Methodist Church.
This showed how much we valued our relationship with you within the Society. You were a good and kind leader. Though you had a short temper, but you could not keep people in mind for long. You were always mending fences.

When you left Zaria for Lagos, the Society and the Church missed you so very much.

We missed the way you would dance from the front of the Church and danced back again. We missed greatly the fun, the colour, and the elegance you brought to meetings.

We can not say it all. But we know our ways are not God's ways. We therefore submit to His will

May God Almighty rest your soul.

Dame Kemi Oshuntoye
For and on behalf of 
Ladies Progressive Society.
Wesley Methodist Church, Zaria.

Mama 77,my big sis I remember those days with your slim feet dancing in front of Tunde Nightingale, your smile, humour are all gone.Bisi & her children,omo rere a gbehin gbogbo yin.Aina orosun, rest in de bosom of the Lord, you have gone to join engineer to continue ur love,. 

KUBURAT OMOKHAYE.

I write to commiserate with you on the death of your Mummy Mrs A. M Soetan who died on 11th of February 2021 at the age of 77years.
  Mummy Zaria as our Mummy was popularly called by my Children and the Family, left large footprints in the sand of time, the inevitable day eventually came, it is with deep sense of nostalgia that I write these few lines of tributes to our dear Mummy who has transited to join the saint triumphant. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, her Children, grandchildren and the entire family. We beseech Almighty God to forgive her sins and grant the entire family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. FARE THEE WELL.

I was so heartbroken when i got the news..
I can still picture you chilling on the couch watching yoruba movies *smiles*, that sight always gives me joy. But it’s time to finally let you go. We all love you...
You’ll be missed but always be remembered forever.
Your grandson
Femi

Hmmm, Mummy Zaria d news of ur demise came to me as a shock and surprise but who are we to question Almighty God.
Your openess,love,and caring nature will greatly missed.
Adeiu Mummy, continue to rest on.

Mama 77.
I called you, not up to a week before the day, telling you not to worry that you will soon be my Mama 80. We will all miss you. Sleep well with the Angels, my lovely big sister. Good night.

Bimbola Bombata

A GRANDMA WITH PANACHE; A MUMMY IN WHOM THERE WAS NO GUILE.

Our family met them - Mummy & Daddy SOETAN - in ZARIA, when ZARIA was ZARIA, about 3 decades ago. We started out as Mama SOETAN and Baba SOETAN. As my wife and I were inexorably drawn by their aura, we ended up as Mummy and Daddy, until Daddy passed away. And now Mummy, to join him.

It was in their home we used to spend some 2 hours at breakfast, on Saturday mornings.
I tended to seeing Daddy alone in his office. When I wished to see Mummy, it had to be at home, and we would have agreed the Saturday morning.

When I drive in on the Saturday, Mummy will work up breakfast, whatever she must have decided on. When it was ready, Daddy and I will drift to the table, and that was it: the next 2 hours we will still be there; eating, drinking, and gisting.

However irresistible it is, to talk about one without mentioning the other, this tribute is not about Mummy and Daddy.
It is about Mummy, and our abiding memories of her.

It was from those variagated breakfasts that I started noticing her panache: she had style, and it permeated her persona - the turn out, her carriage, her locution! Her peculiar Lagos locution.

As we transformed from Mama SOETAN to Mummy, we also came to appreciate that side of her, as a Mummy in whom there is no guile: a flash of anger at perceived untowardness, a lack of pretence; they almost always ended with that short, staccato laughter. All with a pervading sense of fairness.

There is no way we can have you permanently on this side. We will, however, always have fond memories of her.
Fare thee well, Mummy.

Olukemi & Akinyemi OSHUNTOYE.

Mummy Zaria, as she was fondly called by us.... was GONE-To-SOON! May God Almighty grant her soul eternal REST. We love ❤️ you but God love you more. REST-ON ....Mummy Zaria.

It broke my heart to lose you! May Almighty God hold you in the palm of his hand. Rest on mummy Zaria

So Aina is gone.She was a woman of cheerful disposition,beautiful and elegant.We shall really miss her.May. her soul rest. in perfect peace. Amen.

Peju Akinsanya

Good night to a peace loving and elegant sister. Rest in perfect peace.
Sun re o

MRS RIFUKAT AYODEJI THOMAS

May her soul and the souls of all departed rest in perfect peace.

MRS FUNMI GABRIEL

Good night to a wonderful and elegant sister. May God grant her eternal rest.

ALHAJA SHAKIRAT KAZEEM

orun re re re
  Ooo. Emi ni Mo ju  gbogbo yin lo. We hear that Everytime. Rest in the bossom of your Lord. Olorun a da awon Omo e si. sun laiya olugbala re. 

SHERI BIMBOLA MAKANJU

Good night to a wonderful and elegant sister. May God grant her eternal rest.

Mrs Oredola Kazeem

Aina, sleep on my beloved friend. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. You were forthright, loving and jovial. With you there was never a dull moment. I pray that God Almighty will give your children and the family strength to bear your departure, especially Toyin. I shall miss seeing you, always neat and fashionable. Goodnight, sun re o.

Mrs. Tosin Sanusi

We are saddened by the news of our dear sister Aina Soetan's passing away. But we give thanks to the Almighty God for a life well spent.You fought the fight, reached the goal and won the race.
You were a wonderful mother not just to your children but to your stepchildren.You were a joyful and ever happy person. May your gentle soul rest in peace. Adieu dear sister

Ahmadiya Girls High School Old Students Association (AGHSOSA)

May she her soul find eternal rest with her Creator . I pray GOD to grant the family, friends and relatives the fortitude to bear the loss .
Aina was such an amiable loving big sister to all her classmates . She mingled with and always sought after the well-being of us all .
Sleep in the bossom of your Creator . We'll miss you .

Mrs. Sidikat Afinowi

Grandma!!!..I call her mummy Ikeja, she was certainly more than a grandmother to me,the selfless love and affection she showed me was indeed priceless,the best gist partner one could ever have, she makes me always want to be around her but unfortunately,the last days weren't really possible due to the pandemic. Her fashion blend were always top notch.
I can go on and on and on just as the memories keep looking fresh but the years will always roll on and time will always pass by but every memory I have of her will definitely last.
I like to smile when I think of grandma,I try not to be sad. It’s pretty easy to do with all the good times that we’ve had. But sometimes I can’t help it and memories leak out of my eyes and I quickly try to brush them away.
Continue to rest on grandma...till we meet again.

Hmmmmm I don’t know how to start. I call her mummy......she was my friend / Sista’s mum and i became one of hers. Lovely soul and loving mother full of words of wisdom. Still trying to come to terms that she’s no more. Now I understand why I didn’t get that call. Our gist, our home videos, mummy’s prayers and deep talks I shall miss forever. We love you but God loves you more. Sun re ooooo abiamo toto.

My grandma, the only grandma I really had growing up. I remember many days in the house in ikeja, I would sit and watch grandma in front of the mirror as she would get ready for her parties and outings. From the makeup, to the gele, to the shoes, bags and jewelry (especially the rings!), every step was so meticulous. All I could think of was how much I hoped I could do all that myself one day. Grandma was strict when necessary but she was also extremely kind and generous. Many of the experiences that have made me who I am today came from spending nights at grandma’s house. I can almost confidently say that I learnt Yoruba from all the home movies we would rent and watch at night with Grandma.

Rest in perfect peace my grandma, sun re oo.

TRIBUTE TO A GOOD WOMAN - AUNTY AINA

You have the biggest heart. Indeed, you are a mother in Israel. An inspiration that will never be forgotten. I am thankful to God for bringing us together and for the time we shared.

Back in the days, on our journeys from Lagos-Zaria-Bakori to visit the children at school, we shared real quality time. Even during the period that I was abroad, you were always a phone call away. I did not see you as often as I would have liked, but whenever we see, the moments were always memorable and enjoyable. I regret that COVID-19 denied us this opportunity in the last days.

You welcomed me as one of your own and loved me as a sister. Thank you for loving and caring for us the way you did. You were a great mother, loving all who came your way. Thank you for being there for our children. The impact you made in the lives of Lonpe and Olaitan, can not be measured. I pray that God will continue to comfort all your children and your family you left behind

We love you so much Aunty Aina.You will be greatly missed, but God knows best. You are in a better place resting in the bosom of the Lord. 
Sleep on my beloved Sister and friend until the resurrection day when we will meet to part no more. Good Night! 

Rose Danmole

I will start by saying GONE TOO SOON. May the Good Lord who called your time up continue to shower his unending blessings upon you as you retire to your final abode. Mummy Zaria as I always called her. May the Good Lord give us all the fortitude to bear this loss and build on the legacies you left behind. You are forever loved Mummy.

Thanks for being an OPEN DOOR while you were here, leaving your footprints on the sand of times you lived among us. Soft spoken and very unassuming building bridges wherever it was critical. Very supportive with encouraging words. Always on my side, if you know you know... Àìná Òrosùn roolo
Ó ní gúdá ibi
A jí náwó ara
Àìná kẹ̀kẹ́ ló gùn
Ẹni a bẹ̀ bẹ̀ bẹ̀ kó tó ṣẹ̀ṣọ́
Tibí ò jẹ́ kó rọ́kọ̀ ní
Ò lépo ní kóló
Ò ládìyẹ lába
A jí bọ́ba rẹ́
A jí jẹran tó tóbi
Egungun gbàǹgbà níṣasùn... Sun re ó.

My dear granny (mummy zaria) as some of us called you. I know the good Lord has placed you in a great place that’s peaceful.

Thanks for being there for us, my dad (your brother) always made it clear we could come to you for advice, assistance because he knew what a wonderful person you were. He was certain of that. I could have a conversation with her like we were friends, she was soft hearted and a pillar of support for we all. A mother like no other that was always cheerful and encouraging. You could easily tell how nice of a person she was by just knowing and meeting her children because they have been wonderful to us all. God will bless them for us. 

We are going to miss you so much and may Almighty give us the strength to bear this loss and move on. It was a great loss.

Mamendo Lasgidi!
A mother like no other. She was everything a mother should be. Very organized, loving, accommodating and understanding. She was strict no doubt and taught her kids and others under her tutelage how to do things right. With her you have to get it all together. I remember the times I was under the weather. You could see the “LOVE” and “CARE” in her eyes. It was deep. She was a lot of goodness all in one package. She wouldn’t give up on anyone especially her children and she had such strength that you can only admire. A True mother Theresa indeed. I love you dear mom. You only get one chance in life to be loved by a mother. Rest on mamendo!!

Grandma was a wonderful grandmother, she taught me so many things. She is the reason I am the person I am and growing up to become. She was strict but still so kind. I remember when I started to knit, she taught me the best techniques and encouraged me multiple times till I finally got the hang of it. She always looked out for me and could not stand any person who treated any of her grandchildren unjustly. Grandma would always encourage me to do my homework and chores anytime I felt lazy. A lot of times I was reluctant to do my work but she wouldn't have it. All.of these helped me a great deal with my grades as I progressed in school. I miss you Grandma and you will be greatly missed by many others. You are in a better place for sure and I can only thank God for the wonderful life you lived. Rest on Grandma

Damilola Oladoyin - granddaughter

I do not really have “Classic Stories” about Mamendo because of distance however my short and little time knowing her and being with her left lasting impression with me.
First time meeting her was our trip to Nigeria right after our wedding in 2012 and was fortunate to host her when she visited the US in 2016.
Also had the opportunity to spend long quality time with her in 2017 back in Nigeria.
Our trips to Egbaland and also Ilorin are still memorable. She was always in command and control of affairs during our holidays making sure we were all good.
A fantastic mother in-law. You will greatly be missed. Adieu Mamendo! Rest In Peace.Amen

TRIBUTE TO MAMENDO - GRANDMA IKEJA

You were a great sister as well as a wonderful in- law. I met you over two decades ago and you were ever so nice and pleasant. Death where is your sting? We love you but the Lord loves you more. May the Lord grant you eternal rest while you continue to rest on in His bosom. We sincerely miss you. Adieu my precious sister till we meet to part no more.

MRS. G.O OLADOYIN (GRANDMA KETU)

The Matriarch is gone to be with the Lord. The Fashionista, our dress maker then in Zaria at Park Road. The beautiful and ageless Mummy Soetan as I often addressed her. A simple but elegant mother per excellent, full of the fear of God; she lived a fulfilled life no doubt! May her precious and gentle soul rest in peace. Please accept my sincere condolences my dear Bisi. I pray that God will give the entire family the strength to bear such an irreplaceable loss. Adieu Mami. Barr(Dr) Mrs Tina Oma Enejo

Mamendo!!!

When people hear me talk about my step mother, you often times see them pause for a few minutes wondering how possible it is to have such a relationship when society has crafted its own take of what it should be like.

Mamendo was an Oasis for me years after I lost my mum.Yes, she had always been there when I was younger but we forged a different bond & relationship when I moved in and lived with her once I finished from the university up until I got married.

Tough as nails , blunt in her own unique way but she was one of the very few women I admired as I always marvelled at how open and accommodating she was to everyone.

Memories of sitting with her everyday watching Yoruba movies (then rented from Video Clubs), her regaling me with tales from her youth & Lagos Island, watching her put her outfit together (ohhh mamendo was a fashionista) for her society parties/events, to her famous vegetable soup garnished with fish & sometimes crab, and our fights which we always found a way of settling amicably are moments I will forever hold dear & cherish.

Thank you Mamendo for the role you played in my life, for the lessons shared & taught, for standing beside me as I prepared for the institution called marriage.

I am deeply pained that the year 2020 robbed us of physical contact and that hurts a lot. However, I believe that you have gone to rest in the bossom of the Lord.

Till we meet to part no more...

Rest on Mum!
Rest on dearest Mamendo!!!

From Kemi Shonubi

Mamendo....Mama Rere! Mama ni yen!

I remember the risks you took to get me out of school safely during the various riots in the Zaria-Katsina axis of the 1990s. I remember your special fried rice on Sundays and especially on Visiting Sundays in Bakori.

I remember your love for family - always calling to check that we are ok. I remember your joy at our progress. With you, no achievement was too small to celebrate. I remember your loud laugh and your joy when the children and grandchildren were around you.

I remember your penchant for order and precision. I remember your insistence that things must be done the proper way all the time. I remember how you carried yourself with dignity and class. I remember your fashion style. I remember your love for home-making.

I remember your enterprising spirit. I remember VALKAD, the premier fashion house of Zaria, and how you made it work despite various challenges.

I remember your calmness and quiet strength in the midst of life's storms.

I remember you Mummy with love and fond memories.
Didun ni iranti olododo. May your kind soul rest in perfect peace (Amen)

Laitan 'Olagangangan' Lawanson

My dearest sister "mama Bisi" as we call you. I trust you are at rest in the best place anyone can be, with the great one.

Thank you for having me as your brother, because you are a wonderful sister (I mean a real sister) for this privilege is but for a few.

We will never forget you. You wew always there for me and my family. Your contributions to my early life and later my marital life can not be forgotten.

Allah(God) in his infinite mercy will give everyone you left the strength to bear this great loss and the courage to move on till we meet again with the Lord.

I miss you dearly my Sister.

Grandma, Grandma as I fondly call you. Your death came as a big shock, but who are we to question the great one who loves you more than we do? My fashionista Grandma, a great planner with a sauce, Grandma will have an outing we would have gotten the clothes, accessories and matching bag ready days ahead as she doesn't want to hear stories that touch. Ever ready to support; I remember when I just came back from service year, Grandma called everyone she knew could be of help to let them know her Granddaughter was looking for a job. And the day I got my current job, the first thing she said was: Oluwa e se ti e pese ise fun Oluwatoyin. I learnt from you to always be the best in all I do. Missing the bond we shared Grandma, you were my nurse when I had an accident in 2018, you'll come upstairs to check on me at intervals to see if was able to sleep and if the pain had subsided and put water in my water bottle for me to keep hydrated. How I wish you waited to witness my wedding and carry my children ...........

Goodnight Grandma
Oluwatoyin Soetan

Breaks my heart to lose you.little did I know God was going to call your name. I bet he knew you were tired. So he wrapped his arms around you. “Come on home”. My special memories of you are innumerable and as long as a train smoke. Through all my formative years, you loomed large and ever so present in all and everything I did. Countless trips driving to the girls visiting days in high school, my own visiting days constantly and anxiously waiting on your Volkswagen to show up round the corner. Your admonishments and disciplinary action is a culmination of who I am today. It pained me to see you sick through the years, I wanted to see you so bad. You always asked” when are you coming?” Had I known you had little time left, I woulda jumped on the earliest flight just to see you one more time in flesh. I miss you so dearly, my pain is so deep, I am heart broken. I miss you miss you so much. You would be forever in my heart. Sleep peacefully until we meet again.

I met mummy when I went to school in Zaria. She took me in like her daughter. Honestly, I was so shocked when I heard the news. You were such a wonderful mother and grandma. You disciplined with love, and that is one thing I really love about her. I remember one day i had a mini dress and was about stepping out, she called me in full, Oluwatosin, " ki lo wo yin? Eko ma ko lo wa. A fa ra kin to la oju mi ,ko lo bo aso ye,ko wa aso to bo ara e dada" before she opened her eyes, i already wore an appropriate dress. The list is endless. Hence, it was all was done with love. My time in Zaria was very pleasant with mum. Thank you mummy for your love. May your humble and gentle soul continue to rest in the Lord.

In loving nemory of Mumny Bisi as i fondly call her.The mother of my dear friend.
Mummy Bisi was a mother to all and reached out to everyone with encouragement and prayers.She was jovial and on trend with things happening around her.She was blunt. She was kind and a great host.
I remember when i stayed over at bisi's place for a short holiday,she was constantly asking me what i wanted to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.I noticed that there were constant calls and visits from family members.She was in deed a family person.At the same time she did not forget her church meetings and causes she was involved with.
I enjoyed her company when she came over to London on her last holiday.
She was Bisi's rock and stood by her at all times.All Bisi's friends are grateful to her for standing by Bisi, tolu and Dotun.
Mummy Bisi will be missed , may her soul rest in peace with Jesus christ.

I met Mummy Soetan in the Mid Seventies. She was a very accommodating person with a heartwarming smile. She was also loving and caring, she never failed to ask about the wellbeing of my children and I. You will be missed Ma. Continue to rest in our Lord's Bossom.