Onafowokan

SERVANT OF THE LORD WELL DONE: A SALUTE TO CHIEF MRS V. A. ONAFOWOKAN (1931-2008)

By

Seye Adetunmbi

Chief Mrs Victoria Abimbola Onafowokan

One of the things evident in those who truly worship and serve God in faith is inner peace with visible very pleasant disposition to people and situation around them. This class of people naturally serve and worship God for what He is and not because of what they have acquired or things desired but to just give to the God almighty His dues. Chief Mrs Victoria A. Onafowokan could be seen from this perspective considering her verifiable lifetime activities in the Christian fold which epitomized a contemporary servant of God in the true sense of it. Her remarkable disposition in life must have had foundation in her Christian and privileged family background.

   She was born on July 28, 1931 to the family of Chief Daniel Ogunlesi, the Balogun of Makun, Sagamu and Madam Comfort Efunsola Ogunlesi. Her father was one of the early Christian converts in Remo district who invested in his children through good Christian upbringing and educational pursuits. Mama Onafowokan, a brilliant student in her school days and a product of the prestigious Queens College, Yaba and University of Ibadan Arts department, passed Cambridge School Certificate with distinction and gained exemption from London Matriculation in 1949. She was one of the few early graduates among her peers in Sagamu in 1954. Her career as a teacher culminated to serving as the Principal of Eva Adelaja College and Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos. She earned British Council scholarship for further studies in English as a second Language in Edinburgh 1959-60 and University of California in Los Angeles, USA sponsored by the American University Women Society in 1972. She served 1991-1999 as the Chairman of the board of Governors of Queen’s College.

Mama on her 70th birthday anniversary in 2001

Mama's notable lifetime will linger in the memory most of most of us who had the benefit of various encounters with her. For me, I can't forget the virtues learnt from her deep and elderly contributions at Parish Church Council (PCC) meetings of the Anglican Church of Ascension. I met Mama in the Parish Council, while I served for 10 years she continued in her serving capacity. It was indeed a privilege having her and other respectable elders like General Henry Adefope and Chief (Mrs) Ade-John adding value to parish deliberations on best ways to advance God’s work in the Anglican Communion. At PCC retreats, Mama participated fruitfully. Likewise the annual vestry election in which Mama was always polling the highest votes for many years is one phenomenon the parishioners may not forget in a hurry. When Mama was no longer contesting to be elected as a parish councilor, the vicars in charge were always picking her as one of their nominees. It was indeed a testimony of her worthiness in the house of God. Therefore in the Church of Ascension, Omodara Street, Opebi, Lagos that was established in 1983,  Mama must have served for over 15 years in the PCC and represented the parish at the annual synod for some years too. Over the years, Mama worshiped and served the parish under the stewardship of Rev. Canon E.O. Onanaye, Venerables J.A. Ogunleye, Engineer P.B. Oyebolu, R. Olu Oshewa, L.L. Eso, Adeleye and Adebiyi the incumbent vicar.

  

Baba & Mama when her husband marked 80 years birthday anniversary

   For years when I was a bachelor and a member of the Parish Council, I had my best meals (lunch) on the days the PCC meetings were held from the food that will go round over 20 people which Mama was always providing for the PCC members throughout the year round in gratis every first Sunday of the month. The dutiful and selfless woman of God would also gently be involved in serving everyone. I often marveled at her energy in such an old age. When it came to few naughty issues, by the time Mama interjected, the matters were resolved. On a spiritual note, she encouraged me to go for Lay readership course. The first prompting came when Mama and I were among the 7 parishioners chosen by Venerable P. B. Oyebolu to preach for 15 minutes on the words Jesus Christ spoke on the cross at Good Friday church service in 1996. When some new Lay readers were inducted at the Ascension Church, Mama still said she was looking forward to mine. She was indeed a mother in Israel. Certainly, Chief Mrs V. A. Onafowokan was the de-facto Iya-Ijo of Anglican Church of the Ascension. As she was active in Lagos where she lived, her impact was also felt at her home-town parish. In 2007 St Paul Anglican Cathedral Church, Sagamu formerly installed her as their Iya-Ijo.

   Coming to Prince Dr B. A. Onafowokan, Baba and Mama Onafowokan who got married on 6th August 1956, they made marriage in old age fascinating for young ones. Apart from home front, Mama stood by her husband in all his business endeavors. She was actively involved in the running of their family business after a fulfilling career as a teacher and school administrator. An assignment Baba gave to me in the 1990s revealed how most supportive Mama was to her beloved husband. She brought to bear her wealth of experience to the entrepreneurial efforts of their family business. They planned and toiled together through thick and thin. The Christ in the distinguished couple sustained them in all their challenging moments. Their graceful synergy, carriage and dedication to honorable ways are very much worthy of emulation. They were hardly late for Church service and the duo will come and worship together at 10 am service. May Christ be the companion of Baba for the rest of his life and fill the vacuum created by the exit of his beloved wife who was indeed a blessing to their family.

   Those who worshiped with her at the Ascension Church on Sunday 17/2/08 could not believe it when they heard about the transition of the woman of substance on 19/2/08. Such is the Christian parting hour, so peacefully she rested in the Lord. Servant of the Lord, well done (Iranse Oluwa seun). To God be the glory, she was survived by successful children. Farewell Mama ‘daadaa’ as her remains interred at Ikene, the hometown of Dr B.A. Onafowokan on April 5th 2008.

Prince & Chief (Mrs) Babatunde Adedapo Onafowokan and their children