Nothing positioned Mummy by reason of birth, to have had such a remarkable life. She was neither the eldest nor the last child. But destiny marked her out for a life of great impact. Grace Modupe Ojo was born on September 2, 1929 in Igbara – Oke, Ondo – State, Nigeria. She was the fifth child in the family of Pa Timothy Ogiemare Ailobafe Egberevba of Ute, Edo - State, and third for Ma Comfort nee Oni.
Mama attended St Paul’s Anglican School, Igbara–Oke for her primary school education. She was forced to take a break from education to live with close relations in Benin, where she was toughened up to face the challenges of life. She returned to Igbara-Oke to resume primary school and in years later furthered by studying at the Women Teachers’ Training College, Ilesha.
She attended the Teacher Training College, Sagamu for her Grade Two teaching certificate. Later she obtained her bachelor degree in Teaching Education from the Faculty of Education,University of Ibadan. She also held a diploma in piggery from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan (University of Ife).
She married her neighbour, adviser and mentor Reverend (Dr) William Rufus Olatunji Ojo - a Baptist Minister on December 22, 1955. Their union is blessed with five wonderful children: Jaiye, Oluwakemi, Foluso, Oladapo and Olasupo. Mama was popularly referred to as “Iya Yard” because she was a Pastor’s wife and a mother to the various congregations. She was an active member of the Women Missionary Union (the Baptist Fellowship for married women). Mama also founded the Ifelodun Christian society in Ibadan around 1982, which was involved in several outreaches and held Christmas parties for members and their families yearly. Mama was a member of Ryelane Baptist Church in London. Later she started attending Mount Zion Christian Ministries International, Freedom Arena, London in the company of her daughter Oluwakemi. Mama loved and served the Lord Jesus Christ till the very end.
Mama and her husband served in several locations in Nigeria (Igede Ekiti, Jos, Port-Harcourt, Saki, Abeokuta and Ibadan) as well as in the United States as Baptist pastors and missionaries. Mama and Papa Ojo finally settled in London, United Kingdom in the year 2000, where Mama spent the rest of her life until her passage on January 31, 2019 at the ripe old age of 89 plus.
Mama taught in many primary, secondary, government and mission schools, impacting on many children and young people. She retired her teaching work as the Chair of the First Baptist Church Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools in Igbara-Oke. Her favourite subjects were Arithmetics, Religious education, Domestic science and Sewing. A lifelong teacher who exerted great influence on hundreds of thousands who passed through her in school, church, in the market place, community and extended family. She was also a shrewd business woman who engaged in many trades. Above all, she was a loving mother, who gave her all to the training of her children, nieces, nephews, relations and all who came in contact with her in the journey of life. Extremely resourceful. She was a very caring woman, virtuous woman, a woman of peace, promoter of family values, helper of destinies, the darling of her siblings, and a perfect helpmeet for her husband and the rallying point for all. She was a gift to our family.
Mama GMO is survived by ‘egbon’ -her husband, children, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.
Mama’s wit and candour would be greatly missed. Adieu, sweet mother. You were simply the best!
