By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
AS we further count down to the final burial rites of Double Princess Esther Adefolakemi Arogunmasa, we bring to you the reasons she dropped from school at a very tender age in the 1920s.
In a yet-to-be published short biography of the Matriarch of the Arogunmasa, Ebajemito and Fadipe-Aisoni Dynasties in the burial programme, it is stated that she loved trading – a natural talent she inherited from her late father, Oluyori Audu Ebajemito of Magongo, Kogi State.
In the biography couched by her second son, Mr Sunday Ezekiel Arogunmasa, with a little addendum from this writer here, the Princess feared teachers’ cane at school and decided to do the needful when she got home in tears.
Narrating to this writer in April this year, the centenarian said it was a great mistake that denied her the status of a far better personality and opportunities in life, hence her laborious efforts at ensuring her children and wards under her care went to school at all costs.
Read her brief biography below:
Biography Of A Quintessential Mother, Princess Esther Adefolakemi Arogunmasa
PRINCESS Esther Adefolakemi Arogunmasa, a Centenarian was born in 1918 to the Royal
family of Oluyori Audu of Ebajemito Royal Dynasty of Magongo in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi Sate.
She was the most loving princess of her parents. Her father, Chief Oluyori Ebajemito, a successful crops, livestock
farmer and trader, was a wealthy man of his time with herds of cattles, horses, sheep, goats and
other livestock. Her mother, Mrs Ukeshe Fadipe, hails from Ogori of the Aisoni-Fadipe Royal
Dynasty, which made her a Double Princess!
Princess Esther Adefolakemi Arogunmasa got married to Mr. David Aimola Arogunmasa of the
valiant Arogunmasa Dynasty, the famous Ogori Warlord of Enidede, Ogori, who passed on to glory on the 7th of February, 1997 to rest in the bosom of the Almighty God.
In those days, it was not common to give girls formal education, hence, she was not educated beyond the elementary school level as she had much
interest in the trading activities of her father who was a successful business man. Besides, she had narrated, although with some regrets, how she incurred some strokes of the cane from a teacher in the primary school, which led her to cry home to her king father. Folake, who enjoyed immense pampering from her father, voluntarily opted out of school for that singular incident.
Her instincts and dispositions as a wife, mother and culinary expert, were honed during
her days, as she gave her best to assist her husband in trading and farming activities including herbal practices.
One great thing we will ever remain grateful to God for, is that though Mama was born a Muslim, she later accepted Jesus Christ, got baptised and lived an exemplary Christian life. Mama was a member of Egbe Alafia of the Cathedral Church of St. Peters, Ogori.
She had excellent management of her home and her husband’s resources wherein, her home
thus became an embassy of sorts for many from relatives and as many that came in contact with her. No one came in without drinking from her milk of human kindness. She was a mother to all.
She assisted many in preparations for their future life, as she took it upon herself to be dedicated to the course of motherhood with passion and
excellence. Her home was open to everyone, and her hospitality made them feel important.
She was so loving, humble, compassionate, understanding, family-oriented, a woman with a beautiful soul. When her children were young, the phrase “stay-at-home-mom” didn’t exist. It was usual for women to stay home with the children while
their husbands worked. She and her husband worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for
their children.
But even by the standards of the era, she was an exceptional wife and mother. She cared deeply for her family and neighbours which not out of obligation, but because of who she was. She was always the first to offer help.
She regularly brought succour to the sick and needy and would always ensure that every child,
who crossed her threshold, was safe, healthy, and happy. She was more than happy to be the
central figure in the lives of her children.
Anyone who knew her knew that she was a star in their eyes, and that was all that mattered to her.
Mama’s interaction with people made her a quintessential mother, mentor, confidant, friend and philanthropist. Her first surviving child, Rev. (Arc.) Solomon Durojaiyeola Balosibina, passed last February 2022, and she constantly reminisced the huge loss, lamenting why he (Solo) did not live to give her a befitting burial.
These thoughts always and constantly evoked her sad memories of the loss of her second daughter and third child, Bosede Leah Arogunmasa, who passed in 2008, and that of her dear niece, Mrs, Victoria Olu Ogunmola which occured on September 28, 2011.
We will miss our mother, grand mother and great grand mother, but her spirit and strength live on in each of us and in the lives that she touched by the love, strength, conviction, wisdom, and beauty of her soul.
Adieu mama,
Omo Oluyori
Ukeshe Ogben
Ajulugbo jigijigi
Obinogben!!!
Rest in perfect peace in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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