By Olayiwola Balogun – The matriarch of the Abiola family of Ilobu, Irepodun and Ojo in Egbedore Local Government Areas of Osun State respectively, Madam Comfort Sidikat Aduke Abiola nee Folorunso was given a burial befitting of a queen at the Ebony Vaults Ikoyi Lagos on Friday, 12th of August 2022.
The grand farewell ceremony to honour Madam Comfort Abiola started from the private mortuary of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (Lasuth) Ikeja, Lagos.
A Cadillac limousine motorcade carried the body of the deceased in a glass enclosed white casket, with professional pallbearers, dressed in traditional royal ‘sonyan’ outfits accompanied by professional funeral orchestra, blaring out both traditional and gospel music, through the trumpets, drums, ‘sekere’, cymbals, supported by beautiful sonorous voices who led the crowd of dancing procession, immediately followed by the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family members and well wishers all the way to the Ebony Vaults chapel Ikoyi.
Madam Abiola lived a good and productive life. She was a virtuous woman and many described her as a courageous, hard-working, honest and successful businesswoman.
She was a role model to many. Iya Akeem, as she was fondly called, traded at the popular Oyingbo market for close to forty years and embarked on a women empowerment scheme through her successful business of toys and costume jewelry by giving many housewives her goods, on sales on return basis. As a single mother, madam Aduke raised her three children into champions; her achievements are worthy of emulation.
Madam Sidikat Abiola finally retired at the Oyingbo market satisfied with the number of women she had empowered and mentored.
In 2003, madam Comfort relocated to the United Kingdom to spend eight years with her children. In 2011, she returned to Nigeria for one of her grand daughter’s wedding. Madam Sidikat Abiola was happy and fulfilled, helping to raise her great grandchildren.
Madam Abiola died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday 13thJuly 2022 at a ripe old age of 95.
The two day farewell ceremony for madam Abiola started with a Service of Songs on Thursday 11th of August 2022 at the Yoruba Tennis Club Onikan Lagos, followed by a reception on Friday 12th of August 2022 at the same venue.
The Lying in State and Interment Service was at the Ebony Vaults chapel and her final resting place was at the Ebony Vaults private cemetery Ikoyi, Lagos.
At the two day funeral ceremony, the three children of the deceased nonagenarian and their spouses, Prince Mike Abiola eldest son and wife Princess Golda Abiola, Mrs Folashade Shode (daughter), Mr Akeem Abiola son and wife Mrs Olayemi Abiola, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family members, eminent Nigerians, media personalities and Nollywood actors were all present.
Pastor Kola Ayeye of Friends of God Fellowship Lagos supported by other ministers of God and the church choir conducted the funeral service, which was held at the chapel of the Ebony Funeral Home, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Versatile media personality, actor and broadcaster Yemi Shodimu hosted the evening of entertainment at the Yoruba Tennis Club Onikan Lagos.
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