BIOGRAPHY OF MRS MERCY OLUSOLAPE AKINDURO (NEE OLAWOYE) Mrs Mercy Olusolape Akinduro was born in Ondo town on the 17th day of January 1931. She was the first daughter of her father and the third of twenty children of her father. Her father Pa Abraham Olawoye Fagbohunlu, a highly esteemed produce merchant was a son of Chief Logbosere Fagbohunlu and Madam Otegba, a female chief and eldest daughter of the legendery High Chief Sasere Fasida, popularly known as Sasere Otokola.Her mother Madam Marian Omotibola Olawoye a hard working successful trader and the first wife of Pa Olawoye, was a daughter of Pa Fadayomi the son of Faimakin of Besade family in Oreretu Street Ondo and her mother was Morolake, the daughter of Fakiyesi of Iparuku Street Ondo.
Education/Career Mrs Mercy Olusolape Akinduro started her formal education at St Stephen’s Primary School Ondo from where she later moved to St Andrews Primary School Idimoge, Ondo. She later transferred to the famous and prestigious Ondo Girls’ School (OGS) where she completed her junior education in December 1948. She distinguished herself in Mathematics and was an outstanding athlete with all round sports acumen particularly as a sprinter who always took the final leg in her school’s relay races.
She was appointed the school‘s head girl in her final year. She was so smart at school that she was awarded a very rare honorary Grade Two Teachers’ Certificate upon completion of her education at that school.
As a hard working and devoted teacher she taught in All Saints Anglican Church Primary School where she met her husband, Mr Gabriel Bolanle Akinduro an Educationist of high repute.
She progressed her career in education via In-Service Teachers Training, teaching in several primary schools in Ondo. After several years of experience she progressed to higher education in Associate Higher Education at the then University of Ife where she graduated with a Diploma in Education in July 1982.
She later became a Head Teacher, successfully heading large Primary Schools in Ondo including Salvation Army Primary School and Christ Apostolic Church Oke-Igbala. She retired at an early age of 55 after which she embarked on several business ventures including a Home Provision Store which she successfully ran.
Christian Life Mrs Solape Akinduro was a devout Christian who loved and served the Lord right from her youth. From a young age she served in All Saints Anglican Church as an active worker where she was admired for her gentleness and simple life.
She was involved in evangelical work undertaking door to door evangelism in the community with a passion for saving souls. She gave up her space and time for the propagation of the work of the Kingdom.
Family Life Mrs Mercy Akinduro was happily married to Mr Gabriel Bolanle Akinduro of blessed memory, an Educationist of high repute in April 1954. Their marriage was cut short as her husband died very early in their marriage on the 10th of March 1964. Their marriage was blessed with three children.
As a young widow with much perseverance and endurance and more importantly with God almighty on her side she overcame the vicissitudes and uphill challenges of single parenthood with outstanding achievements by successfully raising all her children.
After several years of widowhood, her life became more radiant when she met her childhood friend Mr Ebenezer Adenuyi Adegbulugbe, a renowned Chartered Accountant. They later got married and were blessed with a son.
Mrs Solape Akinduro was blessed beyond measure fulfilling the word of God in Ephesians 3:38. Even as her name is “Mercy” the Lord showed her immeasurable mercies as she spent her many years of retirement enjoying the fruits of her labour spending invaluable time with her four children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren across the globe.
She will be remembered for her dogged faith in God which she taught her children.Her exceptional love and care for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will not be forgotten.
Through her unrelenting attitude to life in what can be described as the “Overcomer’s Syndrome” coupled with being a great disciplinarian who corrected in love her legacy of a strong belief in a brighter tomorrow will live on in the lives of all those her life impacted.
She was truly Blessed beyond measure!!!
May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
