Oba Michael Ajayi Announces Mother’s Death in Grand Style

The traditional ruler of Erinmo, Osun State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya ll, has lost his mother.

The Matriarch of the Ajayi Dynasty, also the Yeye Oba of Erinmo Land, Pastor (Mrs.) Sijuwola Ajayi, passed on peacefully recently with her children at her bed side.

She lived for 80 glorious years.

To celebrate her transition to glory, Oba Ajayi wrote her brief bio and tribute himself, splashing beautiful photos that mirror parts of her life and times.

Please, read Oba Michael Ajayi’s tribute in his exact words:

YEYE OBA SIJUWOLA AJAYI

 If you were looking for a woman of substance, a strict disciplinarian, a mother indeed, a wife to envy and an epitome of elegance, beauty and class, whose spoken and written English is Queen Style, look no further. Pastor (Mrs) Sijuwola Ajayi, the Yeye Oba of Erinmo Land, is the woman.

And she is my sweet mother. Though she left the world in a blaze of glory recently, I cannot but talk about this one-in-a-million mother in the present tense.

Born sometimes in 1940, she was widely travelled and loved learning and anything that expands knowledge and broadens horizon. She was an excellent multi-tasker, and a Jack of all trades who mastered all. After making her mark as a teacher and educationist, she retired and plunged into business. She made a huge success of that one too with her Midas touch. She was actively engaged in private business till her death.

An excellent mixer and lover of all that is good and noble, she built a huge network, especially within the top echelon of Nigerian military having taught some of the children of the high and mighty in the Nigerian society, including those of two former Nigerian Heads of State. That was at the Command Children’s School in Ikeja Cantonment and later Kaduna.

A stickler for discipline and excellence, Mama was a caring, honest mother, grandmother and dutiful wife who dotted over her children like the mother hen, and, through God’s grace, lived long to witness the crowning of her first son as the Kabiyesi, Elerinmo of Erinmo Land some years ago.

Yeye Oba was royalty on all sides, by birth and by marriage. She was a granddaughter of the late High Chief Sapetu Aloba (the traditional prime minister of Igbara-Oke, and late High Chief Ejemu Daniel Atere, the 3^rd-in-command to His Royal Highness, the Olowa of Igbara-Oke, and was happily married to the late Asiwaju of Erinmo-Ijesa, Chief (Dr.) Joseph Olubowale Ajayi, the icon of the AROWOTAWAYA Royal lineage of  Erinmo, who son later became King Arowotawaya II.

Highly religious, my mother was a certified pastor from the College of Divinity, Lagos. She was, among others, a Deaconess of the Christ Apostolic Church  in Erinmo-Ijesa; a Most Senior Mother-in-Israel/Matron of Queen Sheba’s Band of the C&S Movement Church, Kingsland District, Oke-Oba, Lagos; Matron, Elizabeth’s BAND C&S Church Movement Ewu Tuntun, Lagos; Matron, Mary’s Band of St James Spiritual Grace Church; and Area Commander Chaplain Fellowship Of Nigeria INC. In recognition of her service to the Christian community, she was conferred with the title of Otun Egbe Aya Bisobu of the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Igbara-Oke, Ondo State, Nigeria.

A woman of many parts, Mama was the Founding President of the Prestige Social Club of Igbara-Oke, Matron of Facoys Sisters Club of Lagos; Matron, Ifesowapo Social Club of Igbara-Oke; Matron, Road Safety Club, Ifedore Chapter.

Mama and her husband were blessed with six children (all of whom are graduates and professionals including lawyers, accountants, etc. living in various parts of the world) and several grandchildren.

Up to the time of her departure, she occupied herself with prayers, interceding for her children, communities, and the nation; attending religious, social and traditional occasions that involved her communities and families.

My mother was one of the greatest gifts the Almighty God offered me. She was amazing, loving, strong, happy, selfless and graceful. Her unparalleled love and ceaseless prayers helped me to navigate life. My mother was the greatest of them all. Oh, sweet mother! How can I forget you? Never!

Mama, may your sweet soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.