Madam Comfort Sidikat Aduke Abiola – the mother of African Voice Newspaper UK’s Publisher – Prince Mike Abiola, has been laid to rest recently amidst a flurry of tributes from far and near. Mama Abiola died last July aged 95 years old.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom - His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola in a condolence letter joined UK faith leaders, community leaders and family friends to commiserate with the Abiola family in the UK and Nigeria over Mama’s passing
Ambassador Sarafa noted that: “Alhaja Sidikat Aduke Abiola lived a good and productive life; she raised children that are contributing positively to the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom.
“No doubt the death of a loved one is a painful thing but I encourage you all to take consolation in the good life she lived. It pleases God to take Alhaja Sidikat after 95 fruitful years. Her legacy is worthy of emulation. May God place her in the comfort zone of Al-Janah.”
Pastor Casey K Badejo of Christ Apostolic Church, Dove House Welling, Kent, UK said, “I can safely say: not only has the Abiola family lost their matriarch, the world has lost a gem. I recall my once-in-a-while telephone chats with her when she returned to Nigeria; she remained as enthusiastic about her love for Christ and the church. She would always ask about everyone in the family and church.
“Although Mama’s frame was slender, her heart was big, her voice was quiet but her zeal was loud and while her life was gradually edging to her evening, her spiritual strength appeared renewed as in the morning. A true encourager! Her love for her son and my brother, Mike Abiola and his family was unrivalled and she spoke with passion about them, especially her grandchildren.”
A friend of the family, Professor Alaba Simpson - Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria said, “I met Mama in England in 2010, she right away made me feel as though I had known her from my childhood days. She sang, and I danced. She rendered the 'oriki' praise names of the lineage of the twins as they exist in Yoruba land. You would have thought I was one of the twins and not Alaba, whose arrival is even preceded by the birth of Idowu, the child that comes right after the twins. Nevertheless, Mama sang and I danced over and over as I holidayed with Prince Mike and Princess Golda and this Mother of our Time. There seemed to have been no generational gap between us. She was indeed a woman of our times.
“As I didn't have the privilege of a mother who grew to a ripe old age like Mama. I salute Mama's children as they celebrate a mother who crossed the ages of 70, 80 and 90. To God Almighty be the glory.
“I am happy I had the privilege of seeing Mama again a couple of months ago, June, 2022, at the Abiola's Lekki residence during the time of the couple's visit to Nigeria before she passed on. What a wonderful opportunity!
Adieu! A Woman of Our Times, Rest On, in the bosom of the Almighty.”
In his tribute, Prince Mike Abiola described his mother as his inspiration for achieving success in life and a “heroine, prayer warrior, role model and my angel.”
Prince Abiola further said, “You raised my siblings and I as a single mother, shielding us from all the street vices while growing up in Alagomeji, Yaba Lagos. You made it very clear to us at a very early age that education is key to success in life even though you were disadvantaged as a girl child as you only had primary education. You raised us well, telling us hard work and credibility are important attributes in life. You are a loving and caring mother.”
Princess Golda Tiwalade Abiola in her tribute said, “Aduks, I fondly called her, coined from her name Aduke, would come to help me in the kitchen rather than cross her legs and watch television. She told me many stories of her childhood, taught me deep Yoruba culture and language as we cooked together in the kitchen. Mumsy can laugh.... I really loved that about her. She would laugh and fall of the chair and continue laughing... before you know it, everyone around her are laughing without remembering what was funny. She related to me as if I was her biological daughter, not her first son's wife.
“Aduks, you will be greatly missed. Those eight years with you in the UK, and the years after, can never be forgotten. Mumsy, meeting you is loving you. Iya rere, rest in perfect peace. Amen and amen.”
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Madam Comfort Sidikat Aduke Abiola nee Folorunso was given a burial befitting of a queen at the Ebony Vaults Ikoyi Lagos.
The grand farewell ceremony to honour Madam Comfort Abiola started from the private mortuary of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja, Lagos.
A Cadillac limousine motorcade carried the body of the deceased in a glass enclosed white casket, with professional pallbearers, dressed in traditional royal ‘sonyan’ outfits accompanied by professional funeral orchestra, blaring out both traditional and gospel music, through the trumpets, drums, ‘sekere’, cymbals, supported by beautiful sonorous voices who led the crowd of dancing procession, immediately followed by the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family members and well wishers all the way to the Ebony Vaults Chapel Ikoyi.
Madam Abiola lived a good and productive life. She was a virtuous woman and many described her as a courageous, hard-working, honest and successful businesswoman.
She was a role model to many. Iya Akeem, as she was fondly called, traded at the popular Oyingbo market for close to forty years and embarked on a women empowerment scheme through her successful business of toys and costume jewelry by giving many housewives her goods, on sales or return basis. As a single mother, Madam Aduke raised her three children into champions; her achievements are worthy of emulation.
Madam Sidikat Abiola finally retired at the Oyingbo market satisfied with the number of women she had empowered and mentored.
In 2003, Mama relocated to the United Kingdom to spend eight years with her children. In 2011, she returned to Nigeria for one of her grand daughter’s wedding. Madam Sidikat Abiola was happy and fulfilled, helping to raise her great grandchildren.
Madam Abiola died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday 13th July 2022 at a ripe old age of 95.
The two day farewell ceremony for Mama started with a Service of Songs at the Yoruba Tennis Club Onikan Lagos, followed by a Reception at the same venue.
The Lying in State and Interment Service was at the Ebony Vaults Chapel and her final resting place was at the Ebony Vaults private cemetery Ikoyi, Lagos.
At the two day funeral ceremony, the three children of the deceased nonagenarian and their spouses, Prince Mike Abiola (eldest son) and wife Princess Golda Abiola, Mrs Folashade Shode (daughter), Mr Akeem Abiola (son) and wife Mrs Olayemi Abiola, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family members, eminent Nigerians, media personalities and Nollywood actors were in attendance.
Pastor Kola Ayeye of Friends of God Fellowship Lagos supported by other ministers of God and the church choir conducted the funeral service at the chapel of the Ebony Funeral Home, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Versatile media personality, actor and broadcaster - Yemi Shodimu hosted the evening of entertainment at the Yoruba Tennis Club Onikan, Lagos.