Pastor (Mrs) Oyinade Folasade Florence Thomas was a doting wife to her husband of 37 years - Olorundare Sunday Thomas. She was a devoted mother to her sons and daughters, while extending her devotion to everyone who was fortunate to experience her nurturing presence. She was an administrator par excellence, the chief organizer of the family, a pillar in her community and a friend who stuck close through all seasons.
Aunty Oyin, as her numerous siblings, relatives, and friends all over the world called her, lived a life of faith, love, and kindness; one that began in Ibadan, where she was born as the first of seven siblings to the family of Engr. Adebisi and Madam Mercy Famoriyo.
Growing up in the home of two technocrats, an Engineer who plied his trade in England for many years and a mother who worked in the Central Bank until her retirement, Oyinade quickly embraced her responsibilities as the eldest child with discipline, grace and a generous spirit. In 1966, her father decided to broaden her perspectives and worldview by taking her to England where she completed her primary education in Woodthorpe Road Primary School, Ashford Middlesex. Her siblings recall her magnanimity as she always included them in her shopping experiences while in England, ensuring her sisters in Nigeria also had the benefit of similar clothing as she did.
She returned to Nigeria for her Secondary School Education in Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja from 1969 to 1973 where she was the Head Girl. There she earned her West African School Certificate, and continued her post-secondary education at the School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru Zaria from 1974 to 1975.
She earned a B.Sc in Botany from Ahmadu Bello University, in 1978, after which she served out her National Youth Service Corp year as a teacher at the Government Secondary School, Gwale, Kano. After half a decade in the Northern part of Nigeria, she returned to Kwara State to continue her teaching career in the Government Secondary School in Afon. Her passion for administration soon overpowered her enthusiasm for teaching and she left for a Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A) from the University of Lagos, Akoka in 1985 . As part of her final thesis, she worked with Unilever Nigeria Plc, Lagos, on an Industrial Attachment program.
Following the conferment of her MBA, Oyinade began working in Itu Investments Ltd, Lagos, in 1986, as the Deputy Manager in charge of Credit and Marketing. The next year heralded the celebration of her marriage to O.S Thomas who she met a few years prior through her cousin in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The young couple stood a major test of their love and faith as their desire to have children was delayed for a few years. Their bond only deepened and she maintained her aura of joy, keeping their home open as a haven to family from near and far.
Oyinade, which translates to ‘the honey (sweetness) of the crown’ crowned her husband’s life with sweetness and strength, standing as a pillar of support for him and the entire family.
Through her husband’s years in the Insurance industry, she demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment as she stood side by side with him in his mission to ensure the development and growth of the insurance sector in Nigeria.
She would return to the corporate world in 2001 as the General Manager, Operations, of Dosfot Limited. In 2002, she became the Administrative Coordinator at Startech Connections Limited, and would later become their Head of Administration and Human Resources.
Her administrative skills were not limited to the corporate environment. She was the engine room of her family, coordinating all social events, and keeping everyone connected at all times. Her home was always organized and together with her husband, they built a safe haven that stayed open to family and friends.
Her in-laws describe her as more than a wife. She was a daughter who embraced the Ogidi Community as her own, a mother to all, a counselor to anyone who needed wisdom, and a friend to many. She was a philanthropist who supported local businesses through her foundation - The Halfway Youth and Women Empowerment Initiative (THYWEI).
Her regular visits to Ogidi were always met with joy from all.
She was a devout Christian who lived her life as a reflection of Christ, loving sacrificially and committed to the great commission of evangelism. She was a member of the Summit Bible Church in Abuja where she served as a leader in several departments and was ordained as a pastor alongside her husband.
She held the title 'Ajihinrere of the Diocese of Ijumu (Anglican Communion)', a chieftaincy of responsibility to support the progress of the Diocese and the propagation of the gospel in Ijumu.
Pastor Oyinade was a rock for many and her legacy of kindness and service will live on in the lives of everyone that was blessed to know her.
She will be deeply missed.
