My Mother – Mrs. Olubunmi Olayinka Okikiola Imoukhuede
aka Sisi (nee Olusoga)
Celebrating Great Faith, Great Strength, Industry, Motherly Care, Gentility & True Love
Mrs. Olubunmi Olayinka Okikiola Imoukhuede (aka Sisi) was born on Saturday, August 11, 1945 as first child to proud parents; Mr. Gabriel Folorunsho & Mrs. Yetunde Olajumoke Olusoga both of blessed memory. She was not only a bundle of joy and care to her parents but also to her grandmother Mrs. Julianah Olabimpe Okuromade (nee Runsewe) aka Mama Halleluyah or Mama Oni-panla; reason being Mummy Y.O. Olusoga was the only biological child of Mama in her lifetime. This joy was multiplied nine times as Sisi soon grew to become the leader of a football battalion with 8 siblings (4 ladies and 4 men).
She had her elementary education in Girls’ Modern Academy, Igbosere, Lagos Island, Lagos with fond stories characterized by Mrs. Manuwa, Mrs Bucknor, Mrs. Oseni, Ms. Boyo etc. and later her secondary education at the prestigious May Flower, Ikenne, a co-educational school founded by late Tai & Sheila Solarin. Upon her successful graduation in 1963, she immediately enrolled for her diploma in Data Computing, a trade that earned her a job position in the then Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) now Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) with bosses like Engr. Ilumoka, Engr. Solarin and Mr. Ogboru.
In the course of her life journey, she met Late Lt. Akintayo Dare, got married in 1964 and was blessed with her first son – Olatunji (the die-hard toast of Mama being her first great-grandchild) and later Akinyemi. This marriage was painfully cut short as she lost her heartthrob to the painful hands of death on that black Wednesday, Dec 23, 1970, after sustaining neck injury at parade exercise. It was the same day the young family was preparing to leave Lagos and go spend the Christmas with him at his Benin-City posting as the then Military Assistant to Maj. Gen. David Jemibewon.
Few years later, fate would bring her in contact and marriage with her “My Dear” and administrator per excellence - Joseph Imoukhuede OBE. This marriage was blessed with Oluwakemi and Afolabi. “My Dear” was everything Sisi desired in her man-a father, doting and caring husband, highly cerebral, detailed and an achiever. Their friendship grew and matured until that faithful black Thursday April 27, 1989 when he joined the saints triumphant after a brief illness.
The loss of 2 husbands did not deter Sisi, she survived it all and bounced back stronger pouring and directing all her affection to her children and the industry required to see them through their education.
Industry: Sisi is a great multi-tasker, very industrious and gallant homemaker. Post her days at ECN after an early retirement on the request of her “My Dear” in other to take care of her younger kids, she ran a successful poultry farm. This she terminated at her husband’s death and moved on to combining dual business of fabrics (aso-oke) precisely and educational stationery as a distributor of Onward. Sisi handled every work her hands found to do very well & profitably so as to successfully finance her children’s education even selling all her gold, precious jewelry and expensive laces at the time. To the glory of God, they have all turned out successful.
On the home front, Sisi is a generous and kind homemaker. Sisi loves to wash and iron for all and sundry (every of her siblings attest to this). She singularly laundered all of “My Dear’s” clothing till his death after terminating the laundry cleaner due to several complaints. A long-range planner, Sisi would carry out her Christmas shopping for the kids and every of her siblings from as early as August. An excellent bookkeeper, little wonder she has been Society Treasurer/Secretary at various times, a trait most of her children have also imbibed.
A devout member of St. John’s Church, Aroloya Lagos which is the historic family church. An active member of YWCA (parents) and Igbekele Kristi both of St. John’s Church Aroloya, Lagos.
A fashionable, sociable, easy-going and peace loving Sisi with her radiating signature smile, who is fun to be with at all times and never a bother to any. A woman of faith, whose faith in God has seen her through all the many dark days but has kept her strong and unwavering even till her last moment on earth.
