Majestic and glorious are the perfect words to qualify the serene atmosphere of Supare Akoko in Ondo state Southwest, Nigeria, when Dr Samuel Adekola, immediate past chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacist of Nigeria; buried his dear and precious mother, Madam Victoria Ajayi Adekola (nee Orogban-gba) popularly called Mama Adekola. The event which took place on Saturday 14th May, 2022 was a beehive of activities in the local town as the glamorous event attracted people from all works of lives; graced with pomp and splendour. Although with a painful heart for a beloved mother, Dr Adekola gloriously committed his mother to mother earth.
The death of a love one is always a sad occasion. Words cannot easily describe the pain or feeling of the loss. Many have deeply meditated about the pang of death but no one can unlock the mystery. Death is always a painful exit to the bereaved, but it is the surest way of all flesh because nothing in life is promised except death. We will all surely die as our goal is not to leave forever.
Born in 1944 to late Pa. Adefabi Orogban-gba of Omosegban Royal Family in Oriri Quarter and her mother, Late Yeye Fayiola Faleto from Okere Quarter both from Supare Akoko in Ondo State. Madam Victoria Ajayi Adekola (nee Orogban-gba) popularly called Mama Adekola got married to Late Pa. Josiah Onitologun Adekola Adenitan in August, 1968. Mama Adekola was indeed a mother par excellence; a mother to many. Her motherhood instinct was very unique. She understood the uniqueness of her child and everyone around her. Mama’s outstanding exemplary Christian life was worthy of emulation. She served God till her last breath on the 1st of May, 2022.
Bearing his mind on the life and time of Mama, Dr Samuel Adekola reminiscent the 78 faithful years of Mama’s sojourn on earth. While giving thanks to God for life well spent, he also expressed deep gratitude to everybody.
To continue the good work that Mama was known for, Dr Adekola organised a free medical outreach for the community at the Model Primary Health Centre, Supare; with surgeons and other medical personnel from the University Teaching Hospital in Ondo town. In his words, Dr Adekola said the “rationale behind the free medical outreach is simply to honour the memory of my late mother who is given and lover of people, and by the grace of God, this medical intervention will be done every year to commemorate the demise of Mama. By this therefore, I am registering a Foundation which goes by the name ’Iyee Saamu Adekola Charity Foundation’ to cater to this special intervention.”
The free medical intervention exercise vaccinated over 500 persons for Hepatitis B. There were also dentists and surgeons carrying out different clinical operations to ailing members of the community. The whole essence of the activity is to help the people especially the vulnerable who may not be able to foot medical bills.
Dr Adekola also specially thank the Ondo State Government and of course the State Governor, His Excellence Rotimi Akeredolu, (SAN) for their concern and support. He also expresses gratitude to all his pharmacist colleagues and friends from far and near, who he described as members of his immediate family. The community leaders and every member of Supare town which he described as one big family were also highly appreciate for their uncommon love and support before and after the demise of Mama.
We have heard so many wonderful testimonies about the life and times of Mama. Hers is a life of devotion and service to humanity. To everyone who knows Mama, she was a devoted Christian – unstained and untainted. She extended love to all and sundry by tolerating and accommodating. She was also a proud mother of all as she was always surrounded by lot of people. She is wonderfully confident, illustrious and highly inspiring. All these testimonies speak volumes!
Ably representing the Ondo State Governor, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa wildly commiserated with Dr Samuel Adekola, the family of Adekola’s and entire people of Supare Akoko. While comforting Dr Adekola and family, he commended the perfect love and care they showed Mama in and out of the hospital, day in and day out. He prayed God bless them all abundantly. The Deputy Governor went further to describe Dr Adekola as “an accomplished pharmacist, there is a lot he has been able to achieve in his area of profession. He is a man of high integrity and serves humanity as a medical personnel. In all his doing, he is always looking for the well being of humanity. He enjoys doing researches on how best to engage more with nature, especially in the area of medicine as a pharmacist. That is what you see in a child raised by a great mother. For the late mother, she gave the best not just to her son, but to people around her. We pray her soul rest in peace.
According to Horatius Bomar, He liveth long he that liveth right and well. All other live is short and vain, he liveth longest who can tell of living most of heavenly gain. All else is thrown away. He liveth longest who can tell of the true things done each day. In the plan of God, all who are upright and noble, God fearing and full of zeal to serve the Lord, are called home gloriously in their last day to the paradise reserved for them. Such is the sweet story of Mama!
As we mourn and commiserate with the Adekola family for their late beloved mother, they need to also understand the apt truth that everyone will die eventually as our goal is not to live forever. It is a compulsory end for all mortal. The pain that follows the death of a love one is always very grievous; and such is the price we pay for love. For the demise of a beloved mother would be very painful. It is so painful to the marrow that would be difficult to bear. But let us be comforted with Mother Teresa words that death is nothing else but going back home to God, the bond of love will still be unbroken for eternity. George Eliot added that our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them. But this is not applicable to a case of beloved mother. For mother is too precious to be forgotten. The relationship with a mother is a bond for eternity.
As for Dr Adekola, you must to take heart. Remember after the heavy storm there must be rain to wash the tears and sorrow. When you remember Mama, remember life must go on. You should not believe that all Mama meant to other people is now lost, over and done with. Please go on sharing the faith she has in God till the very end. The bitter tears you shared over mama’s grave are for the words left unsaid and works left to be done. Identifying what Mama stood for and holding fast to it is the best that would forever be green in our memory. Mother means everything great! As Madam Victoria Ajayi Adekola (nee Orogban-gba) popularly called Mama Adekola goes home to rest in the Lord, may her memory forever be blessed. May she rest in peace as she inherits the new life we are to enjoy in the Christ.
Dignitaries present at the occasion include Pharm. Eze Ambrose Igwekamma, He is the current national secretary of the Association of Community Pharmacist of Nigeria; he led the team of delegates for the occasion. Others include; former Permanent Secretary, now current Special Adviser to Ondo State governor, Mr Oladare Aragbaiye, former PSN Chairman, Ondo State chapter, Mrs Oluwatimilehin Funmilayo; Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health Ondo State; and many more were present to grace the occasion.
