Madam COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE was born in Ondo on the 16th September 1942 into a prominent family lineage. Her father a well known Ondo businessman and respected Quarter Chief in Ondo Kingdom was responsible for managing the Sokoti Quarter of Ondo Kingdom - Chief Albert Akinrodoye Fadojutimi (The Sokoti of Ondo Kingdom 1969-1980). He was the grandson of High Chief Lisa Fatiri Akinrodoye a.k.a. Lisa Jalogunjelegbe, Lisa yo ti Ikoya of Odotu Quarter in Ondo Kingdom.

Her father - Chief Albert Akinrodoye Fadojutimi - was a successful and wealthy businessman who was a Cocoa merchant, transporter, supplier and distributor of building materials and was popularly known in Ondo Kingdom as Baba Sokoti luso, (Chief Sokoti the nail merchant). Although he was an illiterate he knew the value of education having been privileged to have travelled far and wide across Nigeria and met prominent and successful people whose bedrock of success was education - as a result he made it mandatory for all his children (both male and female) to undergo educational studies.

Her mother - Mrs Olasumade Fadojutimi was from the Oke-Molekere Quarters in Ondo Kingdom and was the first of his four wives – she was a trader by profession.

Comfort Solape was the 5th of 15 children and his first daughter. She started her early primary school education at the St. Andrews School, Idimoge, Ondo before proceeding to St Bridges School Ondo for her secondary school. On successfully completing her secondary school education in 1961 – she embarked upon a teacher training opportunity that arose just outside the suburbs of Ondo township – eventually taking up various teaching positions at a number of Schools in Oja Bale and Ugwo located in the environs of Ondo Township where she taught till April 1964 before leaving for the UK. 

As the first daughter to be born into the household of the late Chief Fadoju and being an only daughter for many years amongst her numerous brothers (prior to the birth of her other female siblings) –she took up the responsibility for caring for her younger siblings when any of her late dad’s wife’s were away on business. Her acts of motherly instinct towards her younger siblings did not escape the eye of her father – and this endeared her to him possibly because, not only was she his first daughter but also her displays of wisdom beyond her years in the running of the household affairs. Even till her death many of her younger siblings still looked up to her as a motherly figure and would come to seek her advice on family matters.

During her teaching stint she was away from her family home for upwards of nearly a year but throughout the period she upheld her family name with dignity, honour and respect and this act intensified her father’s fondness and admiration for her which left a lasting and indelible impression on him. On many occasions her late father would invite her to accompany him on some of his business trips to Lagos – as a way of expressing his delight at her and as a means to reward her with shopping sprees to Kingsway Supermarket in Lagos at the time. It was during these numerous trips that she spent quality time with him and not only developed a special bond with her father but also gained unprecedented access, insight and knowledge into the Fadojutimi family history. So special was her relationship with her father – it was a common household joke that he would not let her marry anyone and that she would never leave his house but live there forever.

In 1964 Chief Fadoju decided to send his daughter to the United Kingdom which was just becoming common practice at the time to further her studies. COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE proceeded to the England where she studied and successfully trained to become a Confidential Secretary under Pitman’s Secretarial College. Whilst she was in England residing with her older brother – the late Engr. Ebun Fadoju - she met her future husband to be - Mr James Olayele Akinyosoye who was a close friend of her late brother and by 04th September 1965 they were married. During her sojourn with her husband in the UK the union was blessed with 3 children – Omonike, Olatunde and Mobolaji all of who reside in the UK with their families.

Over the years whilst in the UK - COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE worked as a Confidential Secretary in various organisations including Hoare & Co Govett Limited Holborn & Thompson Organisation London (now Reuters). In 1975 upon careful deliberation – COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE and her husband decided to relocate their young family back to Nigeria. This was another defining moment in her life that saw her strength of character playout distinctly. Although it was a challenging decision for them both to leave a promising career with good prospects and perks for the uncertainties of a young developing nation. COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE and her children eventually returned back home to Nigeria in December 1975 - ahead of her husband and was hosted by her brother’s family, the late Mr & Mrs Kola Fadoju, till the arrival of her husband in Feb 1976.  

COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE transitioned and settled successfully into her new life in Lagos as a result of her relentless and positive spirit. Over the years COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE occupied various positions as a Confidential Secretary in the private sector with organisations such as Nigerian Dredging Limited, Gapses Consulting in Lagos. She eventually left the private sector to start her own business - becoming a retail distributor for BATA SHOES - which she managed for many years till Nigerian economy went into recession and forced the her suppliers to close its operation in Nigeria. She ran other small businesses before retiring to a quiet life dedicated to looking after her husband, serving God and humanity in her own little way.      

In the later years of her life COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE would become the main point of contact for the Fadoju family members where historical facts were concerned as she was a fountain of knowledge and was pivotal in the dissemination of historical family information whenever the need arose. 

COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE was a committed wife and lovingly mother who she understood the importance of the family unit as the foundation for building a society of upright and model citizens and as such she not just a firm believer of maintaining discipline within a close knit family unit but also a practitioner of it.  As much as she was a disciplinarian she balanced it with a great sense of humour and was fun to be around – she could comfortably relate to children of all ages and loved having them around her – and was instrumental in raising her non-biological children – Mrs. Sherifat Omolola Titilola, Mr. Alayo Kazeem and Mr Oluwaseun Kazeem.

COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE was a hard-working woman and even in her older years she was very energetic and still ran most of the domestic affairs of her household from the front - delegating little to her domestic helpers.  

COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE was a devout Christian and she attended Christ Apostolic Church until her death – she always had a positive outlook to life – and this is because she simply put all her faith in the living God she served. She was ever optimistic regardless of what challenges life would throw her way – and this she attributed to knowing that she can always stand on the word and promises of her God - as result very rarely could anyone put a damper on her spirit – regardless of how difficult the problem. Her unwavering faith in her God is epitomized by how she passed into eternal glory to be with her creator in His kingdom – she left peacefully whilst in prayer with her husband and son (Bolaji Akinyosoye).

We thank God for her life and the privilege to have been a part of this wonderful and unique woman’s life – she will be fondly remembered for her divine wisdom, indomitable faith in God, fearless spirit, wonderful sense of fun and humour and unconditional love for all. We will forever hold on to and cherish the beautiful memories we have of COMFORT SOLAPE AKINYOSOYE – may her soul rest in peace – in Jesus name – Amen.      

She is survived by her husband, children and many grandchildren.