Born on the 14th
of November 1948, into a polygamous Muslim family, Dayo Adetutu Adejumo
(Mummy) was one of several children born to Papa Mustapha and Mama Adebisi
Bada. Mummy and her older sister, also of sweet, blessed memory, Mrs. Bolanle
Ibirogba (nee Bada), were the only surviving children of their mother, Mama
Adebisi Bada. Growing up in Ijebu-Ode, Mummy started primary school in 1955 during the free education system of Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. She attended Local Authority Primary School, Obalende in Ijebu-Ode. Her set of 1955-1960 was the pioneer set of the school. For her secondary education, she attended Adeola Odutola College,
where she met and remained bosom friends with some of her fellow students until
she was called home to glory on the 9th of February.
Exceptionally
brilliant, focussed and determined from inception, Mummy fought against and
rose above every limitation in her path towards her goals. She was most passionate about education
and eventually left her hometown for pastures then unknown in Ibadan, where she
continued her studies. Mummy was a recipient of multiple trophies, scholarships and merit awards in recognition of her excellent academic performance and achievements. It was while studying and working at the University
College Hospital Ibadan (UCH), that she first met the dashing young man with
the winning smirk and swag, who would later become the only love of her entire
life. There began a budding relationship, fostered, and encouraged by mutual
acquaintances and family members, between James Adewale Adejumo, of the most
blessed and ever green memories, and our Mother, Dayo Adetutu Adejumo.
Theirs was a love-story only describable as a match made in Heaven. How very fitting
then that they are now joyously reunited once again in Heaven, after 32 long
and undoubtedly lonely years apart!
Adewale and Adetutu were joined together in holy matrimony in 1969. Their union
is blessed with four children: Olumide, Oyeniyi, Aderonke and Oluwaremilekun
(who she always referred to as her last card and baby of the family). A
count of the children they were blessed with is however not complete
without the addition of Oluwafunke, Adeleke and Oluwasesan, the late
Bolanle Ibirogba's children who also lived and grew up with the family (following the late Bolanle's untimely demise in 1974), as
one and until her very last moments here on earth were ever present, taking the
utmost care of her during her very brief illness. Tragedy struck in the
early evening on the 23rd of April 1989, when Daddy's life was brutally
cut short. The loss and heartbreak cannot adequately be described, particularly
for Mummy, whose entire life had been centred around her husband. The days,
months and years after Daddy's death were the bleakest of our lives.
In her typical pragmatic and determined approach, Mummy rose to the
extremely difficult challenges of widowhood at the young age of 40 and with the heavy responsibility of singlehandedly raising the children her husband
left behind, the youngest of who had only been granted admission into secondary
school at the time. With the Almighty God, her unshakable source of life,
strength, and solid support her entire life, Mummy yet again gallantly and
victoriously overcame all and every difficulty. Focusing her eyes and
expectations, which never wavered, on Jesus, the author and finisher of her
faith to the very end, Mummy finished and far exceeded expectations, on the
work left by her late husband. She remained very much in tune with and most
sympathetic to the travails of widows, a foundation she staunchly supported.
Our mother had 3 prayers and she never changed her focus. All who knew her
would attest to this. She prayed always and from time immemorial that God gave
her the grace and mercy to:
1. Finish her duties on her children and see us all firmly established in life;
2. Be alive and
well to celebrate her 70th birthday. 70 was all she wanted, she always said;
&
3. Never suffer
any prolonged health issues before He called her home to glory.
Every single one of her prayers has been mercifully and exceptionally answered by the Almighty God she served with fervour all her life.
And although our hearts are heavy
and our tears overflow, we smile through the tears and we are deeply
consoled and comforted in the knowledge and assurance that Mummy is at
long last, reunited with her Maker and her husband, the love of her life. We
have no doubt that she now rests at the bosom of her God, who she served and
praised until her last day with the most beautiful and peaceful smile on her
gorgeous face. Without a shadow of doubt, we will forever miss your
physical presence in our lives. Your impeccable character, your untarnished
integrity, your prayers, love and solid support, even our arguments! Above all,
we are grateful Mummy, we are grateful beyond words. For all that you were and
all that you did. For all the intercessions for us which wearied your knees,
for going hungry so that we might eat, for going without, so that we might
have. For everything, Mummy, we are grateful. Angels in Heaven, you have in
your midst a jewel of unquantifiable value. Please treat her accordingly. Daddy,
you have back with you the love of your life and we your children and your
children’s children are blessed for ever with abundant memories and the
benefits of all your hard work. We are immensely proud to have shared the
biggest part of your life.
O daaro Mummy, o daaro Ma. Until that glorious day, when we meet to part no
more, sleep beautifully and peacefully, our gorgeous mother and grandmother, Dayo
Adetutu, omo Adebisi Bada, aya ‘Dewale Adejumo, Mama Olumide, Mama Oyeniyi, O daaro Ma.