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The life and legacy of Princess Olajumoke Eunice Asabi Ajanaku: A trailblazer in family, faith, and community
On 10th June 1941, beneath the bustling skies of Lagos, a royal legacy was reborn at the storied Island Maternity Hospital. Princess Olajumoke Eunice Asabi Ajanaku arrived with a noble cry, the precious child of Prince George Oginni Adegbite. Her lineage sparkled with history, descending from the venerable Oba Agunsoye Bi Oyinbo (Adewumi I), the celebrated Ewi of Ado Ekiti. From her very first breath, her life was woven into the tapestry of royalty and tradition.
At the time of her birth, her father was a Manager with John Holt Company in Lagos. Her paternal grandmother was the distinguished Regent Wuraola Agunsoye-Akodu of Ado Ekiti.
Her mother was Princess Jose Dorcas Amudipe, daughter of the legendary Olisa Gabriel Amudipe (popularly known as Olisa Kafi) of Akure Kingdom, who reigned from 1922 to 1955. Her mother, Princess Jose Amudipe, was also the Chairperson of the Textiles Dealers Association (Giriwa Egbe Alaso) in Akure.
Olisa Amudipe Kafi, her maternal grandfather, was the son of Oba Iralepo Aisiwonmoyede of Isikan-Akure and a nephew of Deji Odudun I of Akure Kingdom. Olisa Gabriel Amudipe was also the primogenitor and founder of modern-day Agolisa Amudipe (Okelisa Titun), which encompasses the traditional village and farmland of the Amudipe Kafi family and associated families.
Mama began her education at L.A. Primary School, Akure, from 1946 to 1951 and proceeded to St Louis Grammar School, Owo, from 1952 to 1957, where she was baptised as a Catholic. Like her mother, Princess Jose Amudipe, she was a renowned athlete in her school days, winning laurels in field and netball events. She also excelled in performing arts during her primary and secondary school years.
After the untimely demise of her father, she was adopted by her mother’s elder sister, Madam Oni Amudipe (fondly known as Iya Iuro or Iya Jumoke), with whom she had a close bond from birth.
The late Madam Oni Amudipe later became the Regent of Olisa Gabriel Amudipe (Olisa Kafi) between 1955 and 1964. At different times, the late High Chief Sao Adu and Prince Adelanke Adesida acted as her stepfathers and mentors.
After completing secondary school, she met her late husband, Prince Samson Olatunji Ajanaku, of the Omatsue Royal House of Uzairue Kingdom in Edo State, in 1959. At the time, her husband was a policeman stationed at Oke Eda Police Station (now ‘A’ Division Akure). They married in 1960 and were blessed with seven children:
His Highness Olu Adekunle, DIS-DSS (Rtd.), Olu Agolisa Amudipe/Okelisa Titun, and Olori Iyabode Ajanaku
Adesegun Ajanaku
Adeyinka and Philomena Ajanaku
Aderonke and Bidemi Oyinbo
Ademola Ajanaku (late)
Yetunde Sarah and Oluwole Johnson
Mariam Adejoke and Debo Adekanye
Known fondly as Iya Akure by family and friends, Mama is survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, stepchildren, and adopted children.
She was celebrated for her maternal warmth and kindness to all, especially her children’s friends, who revered her as their mother. Among these are Mr Tosin Ajayi, MON (current DGSS), Mr Tayo Amu (Retired Director DSS/CBN), Prince Segun Ilori (former Commissioner in Ekiti State), Suoko (Olojo), Prince Bunmi Adegoke, and Brig Gen J.O. Komolafe (Rtd.). Others include Mr Pius Ayodele (CEO Dortmund Construction), Alhaji Adekunle Ayoade (CEO Agro Traders), and Honourable Fola Bewaji (CEO Floreb Hotels).
Mama’s adopted children include Mr Lekan Abdul, Feyisara Olasehinde, Tosin Akindeko, Kehinde Olasehinde (Iyawo), who cared for Mama until her final breath, Tomilola Thompson, Olarewaju Faloye, and Dayo Faloye.
She travelled extensively across the country with her husband, a police officer, and later joined the Western State Civil Service as a telephone operator in Ibadan in 1968. She voluntarily retired in 1981 in Ogun State to venture into private business in Akure.
She managed the popular City Pride Eatery at No. 13 Igan Street, Akure, before diversifying into foodstuff trading. She was also a founding member of the renowned Atewolara Ladies Club of Akure and was widely respected for her quiet philanthropy.
In 2012, she retired from active trading to devote herself to God and her family. She was a dedicated member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Recharge Centre Parish) in Oba Ile, Akure.
Mama is survived by supportive siblings and immediate family members, including Prince Deji Adegbite, Oye Adegbite, Olu Adegbite (late), Princess Gbonju Adesida (née Adegbite), Mrs Eniola Abe (née Adegbite, late), Mrs Kehinde Ologunja, and Adejoke Adegbite. Other relatives in Akure include Prince Yomi Adesida and Stanley Ibadan Adesida (late).
Her lineage also connects to the Omowas of Isikan, Arogbodo/Eke/Abisatu families of Ado-Akure, and the Ogundoro family.
Extended family members include Prof Williams Olu-Aderounmu, Madam Koshemani Olubo, Mrs Aladeyemi Taki, Mrs Folake Adeyemi (aka Ajafa), Prince Segun, and Bayo Adesida, among others.
SUN RÉ O, ABIYAMO TOOTO!
