By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
DETAILS have emerged on how matriarch of the Arogunmasa Dynasty of Enidede, Ogori, in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, Princess Adefolakemi Esther Arogunmasa passed on Tuesday.
Stonix News gathered that the centenarian passed at about 4:30p.m on Tuesday September 12, 2023 in the arms of her eldest daughter, Mrs Baiye Eunice Ojo (Nee Arogunmasa).
Joy, Mama, Eben on April 24 at Ogori
The deceased centenarian was a double princess from the revered royal lineages of Aisoni-Fadipe of Ogori and Oluyori-Ebajemito of Magongo.
“She passed very peacefully at around 4:30p.m today,” Mrs Ojo had disclosed.
According to her, Mama was in high spirits as of Tuesday morning till around 3:00p.m when she began to feel weak.
On the suggestion that she should be taken to the hospital, Mama vehemently declined.
When she became too weak to determine her fate, Mama was then conveyed to the hospital where she eventually breathed her last.
Earlier on Tuesday, the youngest son of the deceased, Pharm. Osieyih Oseborega, told Stonix News that he had a call with Mama earlier on Tuesday.
The Abuja-based Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Esoma Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said Mama had shown some signs in August that she might not want to continue to live beyond this season.
“I was in Ogori last August for Chief Oteji’s burial. Thank God I went. She was too devastated over the sudden demise of Chief having seen him two weeks earlier.
“Mama was said to have reminisced the loss of her first child, Rev Solomon Balosibina last year February, lamenting why he (Solomon) didn’t wait to give her a befitting burial.
“Chief Oteji told mama not to worry that he would do during her burial all and more than what Solomon would have done for her at death.
“But her loss of interest in living came shortly after she was told that Oteji had departed without waiting to fulfill his promises. That was the last straw! It devastated her,” Oseborega narrated.
Corroborating her brother’s submission, Mrs Ojo, in whose arms Mama briefed her last, said Chief Oteji’s demise was unbearable for her.
“Mama said Ajijola should stop sending drugs to her again. She said, perhaps, it was those drugs she was taking that had prevented her from dying and so she wouldn’t want any more drugs.
“She said it was better she joined her ancestors than continue to witness the deaths of the younger generations,” Mrs Ojo, who’s a senior staff at National Open University (NOUN), Ogori Centre, noted.
Stonix News recalled that Mama had lost three of her children: Mrs Victoria Ogunmola in September 2011, Rev. Solomon Balosibina on February 12 2023, and another dear daughter, Bose Leah Arogunmasa some years ago.
These deaths were three blows too many, but she was able to pull through with the supports of her dutiful children and other family members.
Princess Adefolakemi Esther Arogunmasa could be described as the last of her generation both in Ogori and Magongo.
Full of wisdom, knowledge and understanding, as of April 2023 when this reporter was at Ogori, she was still looking agile, able to move around, cook, bathe herself, speak loudly with a sound mind and apt recollection of histories of her dear ancestors in Ogori land.
Her calls were always replete with prayers and sweet, comely words of encouragement, good wishes and compliments.
