Mama Alice Akinwumi Laid to Rest at 89

Late Mrs Alice Olapeju Akinwumi (nee Apara) was on Saturday , 3rd September, 2022 laid to rest at her Kajola, Imo, Ilesa, Osun State residence amid pomp, pageantry and eulogies.

The 89 year-old high society woman was praised by those who had encountered her with many extolling her virtues for generosity, cleanliness, frankness and her knack for giving good counsel.

Mama Akinwumi passed away on Monday, 4th July, 2022. She is survived by three children, Akinbiyi, a son and two daughters, Abimbola and Olubunmi, a daughter-in-law, six grandchildren, two grandson's-in law, three great - grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her remains were brought to her residence from the morgue on Friday September 2nd, 2022 with funfair and a service of songs (Christian wake keep) was held in her honour at 5pm. The Cathedral Church of Saint John, Iloro, Ilesa conducted the service which drew family, friends and well wishers from far and near.

She was an active member of St. Johns Anglican Church Iloro. She was a member of the Iloro Youth Christian Organization and was also nominated for different chairladies of the church and was a representative of the Akinwumi and Apara family.

The funeral service was held on Saturday, September 3rd 2022 at the Cathedral Church of Saint John, Iloro, Ilesa.

Earlier in his sermon, titled "Walking Through the Valley of Death", the Very Revd. D. I. Fadugba, the Provost of the Cathedral of Saint John Cathedral Church, Iloro, Ilesa, said that `death is a debt’ which everybody must pay.

He urged Christians to live their lives in a manner that would earn them heaven when they die.

Quoting from Matthew 11 verse 28 he said " there are times we ignorantly or by mistake stray into the valleys of trouble but if Christian rely on our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ for guidance, He will stand by him and guide him."

The interment followed immediately afterward at No. 68, Kajola Street, Imo, Ilesa, residence.

Colleagues of her children at schools showed up in their numbers to support them as they said the final goodbyes to their parent.

All photographs credit: Mercyland Studio, Ilesa

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Biography of Mrs. Alice Olapeju Akinwumi (Nee Apara)- Written by Dr Akinbiyi Akinwumi

Alice Olapeju Akinwumi (nee Apara) was born in Ilesha, Osun State, Nigeria on June 3^rd 1933 to Pa Jacob Ajayi Akinyemi Ukurojupa-Apara (of Iloro), Ukurojupa is actually the real surname of her grand father Apara is the alias. Ukurojupa meaning death did not have chance to kill him. Apara meaning rubbing “his” body. Ukurojupa-Apara & Ogedengbe fought on the side of the Ijesas & Ekitis against the Ibadans during the kiriji war. Before going to war Ukurojupa would rub his whole body with charms except his chest where he would place his special tortoise. From this action of his Apara was coined out. Apara Ogun da igba aya si.

Her father the late Pa Jacob Ajayi Akinyemi Apara was the first child of Ukurojupa-Apara and her mother Mrs Olamijubelo Apara (Nee Esan of Okeesho, Ilesha) both of blessed memory. She started elementary school at CAC Oke-Ooye in Ilesha. After completing elementary school at Oke-Ooye. She started teaching at Ibode in 1952 Ilesha, then furthered her education at St Mary’s teacher training college in Owo in 1953, Ondo State. After completion of her teacher’ training, she accepted an offer to teach in the town of Offa in Kwara State at Anglican Girls high school under the tutelage of Cannon Olaitan. She took her cousin, Late Tunde Fajimolu (President General Oil), whose mom had recently passed away with her. She was mentored by her older Brother, Late Chief Albert Olakunle Apara. She respected and looked up to him for advice and encouragement.

She met her husband, the Late Akintola Theophilus Akinwumi through his friend Mr. Titus Esan. She was engaged in 1957, they got married in 1959 in Ilesha before moving to Lagos. Shortly thereafter, they were blessed with a son, Akinbiyi. She briefly taught at Oriel girls’ high school Abule-nla in Ebute-Metta Lagos, before she left for England to study with her husband in 1962. She got a scholarship at Kingston Upon Thames and completed her education in Banking and Law in 3 years instead of 5 years. She also obtained numerous professional qualifications in Law with Accounting &Finance (LLB Hons). While in the UK, they were blessed with two daughters, Abimbola and Olubunmi.

She returned to Nigeria in 1972 with her husband and family. She started working in Wema Bank in 1973. Her career progressed remarkably at the bank. She was promoted to be the first female district manager and was nicknamed Margaret Thatcher of Wema Bank because of her intelligence, toughness, and integrity. She served in many committees and took up numerous leading roles at a time when it was difficult for females to breakthrough. She retired from Wema Bank Lagos in 1990.

She came out of retirement in the early 90’s to work at Maryland Community Bank at Ikeja in Lagos State. Due to the plethora of her achievements at Wema Bank, she was offered a managerial post by the Late Chief MKO Abiola at Maryland Community Bank in Ikeja. She worked briefly at the bank before her final retirement.

She dedicated her life to the Lord Jesus Christ and was an active member and devotee to the Bride of Christ Tabernacle in Akowonjo Lagos State.

Talking about being Godly and compassionate our mother started it at a very younger age. An example of this was when she gained admission into teachers’ training college there was no money to pay. Her Late Father Pa Jacob Ajayi Akinyemi Apara had to take a loan and used his farm as collateral. She passed out of the school yet no money to pay and the farm was to be sold out but because of her compassionate she ran around and got the money to take the farm back. Late Pa Jacob Ajayi Akinyemi Apara her father was so happy with her.

She relocated to Ilesha in August 1996. When she got to Ilesha, she was an active member of different denominations. She was an active member of St. Johns Anglican Church Iloro. She was a member of the Iloro Youth Christian Organization and was also nominated for different chairladies of the church and was a representative of the Akinwumi and Apara family. She was also an active member and a women leader at His Grace Bible Church in Kajola, Ilesa.

She served as a mentor to many and impacted the lives of those around her. She was a mother to many and took responsibilities for many of her nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She passed onto glory on July 4^th, 2022. She is survived by three children, one daughter-in law, six grandchildren, two grandson’s – in law, three great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews cousins; Mr. Oluwole Esan, Mr. Jide Adeniyi, Mr. Femi Adeniyi, Eng. Tunji Esan, Mrs. Lolade Adeloye, Mr. Banjo Adeniyi, Mrs. Iyabo ….. and other beloved family members.

Event coverage by Oladimeji Lasore reporting (07035105413)