By Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
Yesterday, families, dignitaries, well wisher, Sons and daughters of Ogun State and the nation gathered at Adeola Odutola Hall for the Christian wake-keep to celebrate a life of a Matriach, Mama Lucia Onabanjo Nee Ayanbadejo the wife of the first civilian Governor of Ogun State, Late Victor Onabanjo who passed away on Monday, 12 January 2026 at the age of 100.
Rev Fr. John Aruleba in his homily described Mama Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo as a symbol of Light to everyone and everything around her including Ogun State which she nurtured from cradle to its Golden Jubilee @50years in collaboration with other Stalwart and stakeholders.
The priest said Mama Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo was a teacher for 40years, a solid companion politically and socially, indeed and need to her husband and Ogun State from cradle until her death,. He further admonishes everyone to emulate her legacy of passion, charity discipline, devotion to God.
The Governor of Ogun State, Pince Dapo Abiodun, CON in his speech said that without question, God-fearing, God-loving, and God-serving. Mama, Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo, lived her life anchored in faith and service.
Many described her as Iyálú. Whether or not that was a formal title, she truly embodied the role of Ìyá Ìjọ at St. Sebastian’s Church. She was also Iyẹ́níwà a woman of virtue, good character, and admirable conduct.
She was a loving and devoted mother to her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, and indeed to Bukky and her siblings. Beyond her immediate family, Mama extended her warmth and guidance to many others whom she mentored and nurtured as her own. Without a doubt, she lived a life of impact one defined not by noise, but by quiet strength, humility, and unity.
At moments like this we are compelled to pause and reflect about the inevitable question before all " how will we be described when our own time comes? What words will people use when they speak of our lives?" Will we be remembered, as Mama has been remembered, as a virtuous woman, an Iyẹ́níwà of Ife kingdom, a symbol of unity, humility, and strength? Or will people say something else entirely? What, ultimately, will be written on our tombstones?
Mama’s life offers us a clear moral lesson. She showed us that legacy is not built by position alone, but by character; not by power, but by service. As we honour her today, we also pray for the grace to live lives worthy of such remembrance.
Conclusively, we indeed celebrate Mama, and thank God for the gift of her life, as the wife of Ogun State’s first civilian governor, late Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, and as a matriarch whose influence will continue to speak long after she has gone to glory.
May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
Other dignitaries at the Christian Wake-keep service are Deputy Governor of Ogun State Alhaja Noimot Salako, Aremo Olusegun Osoba,
Ijebu-Ode Catholic Bishop Dr, Francis Adesina,
