Biography of Mrs Marian Taiwo Akinde (Nee Akinde)
June 4, 2021
by Femi Adebajo
Mrs. Marian Taiwo Adebajo was born on December 18, 1924 at Ibadan to Mr. Thomas Okegbenro Akinde from Abeokuta and Mrs. Jerumana Titilola Akinde (nee Pereira) from Lagos, Nigeria.
She attended her primary education at the St. Mary Catholic School, Lagos. After her primary school education, she attended a private Fashion and Catering School where she received her training under the tutelage of Mrs. C. I. Cole initially at Ibadan and then at Igbosere, Lagos when Mrs Cole relocated to Lagos. Shortly after completing her training, Mrs. Adebajo met her “husband to be” at a church they both attended and where she was a member of the Church Choir. As a matter of fact, it was her melodious voice and beauty that caught her husband’s eyes at one of the church services.
She married her beloved husband Samuel Oladipo Adebajo on April 24, 1949 at Ebenezer African Church, Oke-Bola, Ibadan. Shortly after they were married, she had to relocate to Onitsha as her husband who was working for the Ministry of Health in Ibadan was transferred to Onitsha. This was where she had her first son Babatunde Adebajo. A few years later, they were once again transferred from Onitsha to Jos where she had her daughter Mrs. Yetunde Odutola. Two years later, she returned back to Ibadan with her husband, there she had another daughter Pastor (Mrs.) Titilola Fadun. She and her husband lived in Ibadan for a few years before her husband’s job relocated them to Kaduna where she had another son Deacon Olutunji Adebajo. Eventually, they were transferred back to Ibadan.
After many years of traveling, and a desire to have a stable family home, her husband founded the Adebajo Maternity Home in Ibadan and it was at this Maternity Home in Ibadan that she gave birth to her last son Pastor Olufemi Adebajo whom she fondly called “Oko mi” (My husband).
As a devoted wife and mother, she was supportive of her husband’s aspirations and goals, therefore it was not surprising that she had a desire to learn and to support her husband in running the Maternity Home. As a result of her commitment to midwifery, caring and kindness toward the people, she was fondly called “Nurse Taiwo.”
In the early sixties, the family finally relocated to Lagos where she continued to support her husband in his career endeavors. At the same time, she started running her own fashion designing, baking and decorating business. The business flourished as she was well known for her wedding and birthday cakes. She was also known for her unique fashion designing which she loved to show case on special days such as at Easter, Christmas, birthdays or at special events. Even as she remained busy with her flourishing business, she also registered with the Ministry of Works as a contractor and did some works for them.
As someone who loved the Lord, she became an active member at the United Native African Church (UNA), Bajulaiye, Lagos. There she was actively involved in the church activities and was Matrons of some of the associations. After several years, she left the UNA Church to join the Jehovah Witness denomination of which her parents were former members. However, she remained a member for a brief period.
She later joined her husband at Gbagada Estate Baptist Church to which she remained an active member till her last day. Due to old age, she conveniently worshiped at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) located in a separate part of her residence. Her favorite church song was “E je ka a fi inu didun yin Oluwa Olore”, a song she requested to be sung at her funeral before she passed.
Mrs. Taiwo Adebajo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who taught her children to fear and love God, and to stand on the side of the truth at all times. She was loved by her departed husband, family, church members and neighbors. She was also amazingly funny with her jokes that even strangers will remember how she kept them laughing and happy around her. She opened her home to her extended families and friends whom she treated as her own children. She raised children who were not hers as they were her own. Also, she inspired and encouraged her children and other young people in her home to be the best they could be.
She loved to cook and entertained her guests with delicious meals. She was generous and hospitable as she loved to make people feel special in her home.
She was a woman clothed with strength and dignity and spoke with wisdom and understanding. Most of all, she feared and loved the Lord and loved all people.
Mama transitioned to eternal rest in her sleep in her home after attending church service and dutifully paid her tithe on Sunday 9th May 2021.
Mama was survived by her dear brother Engineer Idowu Akinde, her children, and their spouses (Mrs. Iyabo Adebajo, Pastor. Dr. Adelaja Odutola, Deaconess (Mrs.) Comfort Adebajo and Pastor (Mrs.) Adedeji Adebajo), grandchildren, great grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
“Dearest mother, we loved you very much but God loves you more. We thanked the Almighty God for blessing you with a long life that was well lived. May your gentle and kind soul rest in perfect peace with the Lord. We will miss you greatly. Until we meet again, Esun re o mama wa dada”.
She attended her primary education at the St. Mary Catholic School, Lagos. After her primary school education, she attended a private Fashion and Catering School where she received her training under the tutelage of Mrs. C. I. Cole initially at Ibadan and then at Igbosere, Lagos when Mrs Cole relocated to Lagos. Shortly after completing her training, Mrs. Adebajo met her “husband to be” at a church they both attended and where she was a member of the Church Choir. As a matter of fact, it was her melodious voice and beauty that caught her husband’s eyes at one of the church services.
She married her beloved husband Samuel Oladipo Adebajo on April 24, 1949 at Ebenezer African Church, Oke-Bola, Ibadan. Shortly after they were married, she had to relocate to Onitsha as her husband who was working for the Ministry of Health in Ibadan was transferred to Onitsha. This was where she had her first son Babatunde Adebajo. A few years later, they were once again transferred from Onitsha to Jos where she had her daughter Mrs. Yetunde Odutola. Two years later, she returned back to Ibadan with her husband, there she had another daughter Pastor (Mrs.) Titilola Fadun. She and her husband lived in Ibadan for a few years before her husband’s job relocated them to Kaduna where she had another son Deacon Olutunji Adebajo. Eventually, they were transferred back to Ibadan.
After many years of traveling, and a desire to have a stable family home, her husband founded the Adebajo Maternity Home in Ibadan and it was at this Maternity Home in Ibadan that she gave birth to her last son Pastor Olufemi Adebajo whom she fondly called “Oko mi” (My husband).
As a devoted wife and mother, she was supportive of her husband’s aspirations and goals, therefore it was not surprising that she had a desire to learn and to support her husband in running the Maternity Home. As a result of her commitment to midwifery, caring and kindness toward the people, she was fondly called “Nurse Taiwo.”
In the early sixties, the family finally relocated to Lagos where she continued to support her husband in his career endeavors. At the same time, she started running her own fashion designing, baking and decorating business. The business flourished as she was well known for her wedding and birthday cakes. She was also known for her unique fashion designing which she loved to show case on special days such as at Easter, Christmas, birthdays or at special events. Even as she remained busy with her flourishing business, she also registered with the Ministry of Works as a contractor and did some works for them.
As someone who loved the Lord, she became an active member at the United Native African Church (UNA), Bajulaiye, Lagos. There she was actively involved in the church activities and was Matrons of some of the associations. After several years, she left the UNA Church to join the Jehovah Witness denomination of which her parents were former members. However, she remained a member for a brief period.
She later joined her husband at Gbagada Estate Baptist Church to which she remained an active member till her last day. Due to old age, she conveniently worshiped at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) located in a separate part of her residence. Her favorite church song was “E je ka a fi inu didun yin Oluwa Olore”, a song she requested to be sung at her funeral before she passed.
Mrs. Taiwo Adebajo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who taught her children to fear and love God, and to stand on the side of the truth at all times. She was loved by her departed husband, family, church members and neighbors. She was also amazingly funny with her jokes that even strangers will remember how she kept them laughing and happy around her. She opened her home to her extended families and friends whom she treated as her own children. She raised children who were not hers as they were her own. Also, she inspired and encouraged her children and other young people in her home to be the best they could be.
She loved to cook and entertained her guests with delicious meals. She was generous and hospitable as she loved to make people feel special in her home.
She was a woman clothed with strength and dignity and spoke with wisdom and understanding. Most of all, she feared and loved the Lord and loved all people.
Mama transitioned to eternal rest in her sleep in her home after attending church service and dutifully paid her tithe on Sunday 9th May 2021.
Mama was survived by her dear brother Engineer Idowu Akinde, her children, and their spouses (Mrs. Iyabo Adebajo, Pastor. Dr. Adelaja Odutola, Deaconess (Mrs.) Comfort Adebajo and Pastor (Mrs.) Adedeji Adebajo), grandchildren, great grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
“Dearest mother, we loved you very much but God loves you more. We thanked the Almighty God for blessing you with a long life that was well lived. May your gentle and kind soul rest in perfect peace with the Lord. We will miss you greatly. Until we meet again, Esun re o mama wa dada”.