Adieu Aderonke, You were always there!

When my twin was at Federal Government Girls College Oyo you were there, during her holidays in Ibadan you were there, when I went on mission to The Gambia you were there, when my twin fell ill you were there, when she passed into the heavenlies you were there, at the naming of our first granddaughter you were there, when my brother needed pastoral support in Kent you were there, when the staff fellowship of Lead City University needed a deputy co-ordinator, inspiration and prayers you were there, when my mother needed support and a daughter you were there.

You were always there for your family, your siblings, your town Oluponna, the Idowus, the Mosuros, Church folk and so many downtrodden and those in need.

You told me you needed to go away for some time to spend time with your family in Dubai, that you never wanted any regrets for not having spent time with them, to you time was your currency. You assured me you would be back in a short while. I never suspected it was to be our last meeting in November last year.

Now I say goodbye to our darling rose, may you never grow old in our hearts. You were the grace that placed itself where lives were torn apart you called out to family, friends and acquaintances and you whispered to those in pain. Now you belong to heavens and the stars in the galaxy and they spell out your beautiful name, Aderonke, Olufunmilayo.

It seems to me you lived your life like a candle in the wind never fading with the sunset and
even when the rain set in you were there. I am assured that your footsteps will always fall
here along your dearests and most loved, the down trodden on the plains of Nigeria and in the Church and University you served so faithfully till your last breath. Your candle has burned out on this earth but you live resplendent in the heavenlies.

We have lost your loveliness and compassion, we are bereft with lost empty days rolling on without your toothy gapped smiles. This torch you always carried for you our family, the Church, Ijebu and one you carried as Oluponna’s golden child and even though we try to take in this truth it brings us to tears and all our words cannot express the joy you have brought us through the years we grew up and spent together.
Goodbye Aderonke, Oloota and Oluponna’s finest rose and may you never grow distant in our hearts were you graced it so profoundly. Today we sit lost and our lives seem torn apart for without your presence, we miss your wings of your compassion more than you will ever know but we are consoled by the fact that your destination is heavenly and we will meet again in laughter for you knew Christ as your eternal saviour!

I am yours very sincerely, your cousin Olu Ojedokun.
Olu Ojedokun.