Ex-CBN dep-gov’s mum dies at 85, burial holds June 15

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By Olu AJAYI

NIGERIA: THE mother of the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Reverend Tunde Lemo, is dead.

According to a release singed by Lemo, who is the Chairman of the Federal Road Management Agency (FERMA), Mrs. Eunice Olufolake Lemo died around 8.35pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

However, the family has fixed Tuesday, June 12 for the Service of Songs by Ore-Ofe Society of St John’s Church, Igbein, Abeokuta, Ogun State, while another Service of Songs by Deeper Life Bible Church would also hold on Wednesday June 13.

The two events are expected to hold at the deceased residence, 12 Olorunsogo Lane, Isabo Abeokuta at 5 pm.

The Christian wake for the deceased is to hold on Thursday, June 14 at OK Center, GRA Ibara, Abeokuta at 5pm while on Friday, June 15 Funeral Service will take place at St. John’s Church, Igbein Abeokuta at 11am while Interment follows immediately at the Church Cemetery Isabo, Abeokuta.

While the burial is only for the clergy and family members, the reception for all guests has been fixed for the Bishop’s Court, Onikolobo, Abeokuta.  The color code for the guests on Friday is Lilac, the news release by the family said.

The late 85-year-old matriarch of Lemo was a devout Christian and a staunch community leader, who is survived by successful children and grandchildren who have made their marks in various fields of human endeavor.

According to the ex-CBN chief, Mrs. Eunice Olufolake Lemo was born on November 11, 1932 in Olofin-Odo village, Orile-Imo community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government area of Ogun State to the family of Pa Amos Ogunrinde Olubiyi (alias Baba Elekuro) and Madam Victoria Yoriola Olubiyi, both of blessed memory. Mrs Eunice Lemo was the only issue of her mother.
Young Miss Folake Olubiyi (as she then was) attended Anglican School Orile-Imo between 1939 and 1945 where she read up to Standard Four.

She completed her Standard Six education at All Saints (Anglican) School Owode in 1948.  Her academic brilliance earned her the nick-name ‘Yanriyan,’ thus taking after her elder brother, the late Mr. Jack Olubiyi, also highly respected for his brilliance, who was ‘Yaro’ (Hausa names for young girl and young boy respectively).
She commenced her teaching career as a junior teacher in 1949 at African Church School, Meesan in Ifo Local Government under Mr. David Sogaolu, and was later transferred to African Church School, Onikoko near Itori Railway Station.
Young Miss Olubiyi got married to the late Chief Ezekiel Olukolajo Lemo in 1950, at a tender age of 18.  She was off her teaching career between 1951 and 1955 to enable her settle down in her matrimonial home and devote time for her children.

This became expedient being the only child of her mother, and during this period, she opted for very flexible jobs including petty trading and adire making.
She, however, returned to her teaching job in 1956 when she joined St. James’s School, Orile Ilugun, Odeda as a Class Teacher and later was at Anglican School, Ile Olu (1957), Anglican School, Ototo (1958), Anglican School, Gbagura, (1959-1960),
Anglican School, Baagbon, (1961-1965), Anglican School, Aderupoko (1966), Anglican School, Olugbo (1967), Anglican School, Baale, (1968-1974), and African Church School, Adewusi (1975-1984).
Between 1976 and 1978, she embarked on in-service training at St. Leo’s College, Abeokuta where she obtained Grade 11 Teachers Certificate.

She retired from active teaching service in 1984 at the age of 52.  She later devoted her time to the service of God and her community.  She was highly industrious and supported the family with proceeds of other vocations in addition to her meager income as a teacher.  She was a book-seller especially during long vacation.  She also introduced her children to this trade who became regular faces on market days at Sapon, Owode, Obafemi, to mention a few in the mid to late 70s.
Mama remained a loyal wife and became a rallying point in spite of the fact that her late husband married more wives after her.  She contributed to the training of some of her step-children including taking them to her station for their early education.

She was gentle and generous to a fault.  She turned down an offer to relocate to a self-contained apartment after the demise of her husband.

She retorted: “My husband left me to manage the home for him at his departure.  What will I tell him in future when I meet him in heaven? …I will live and die in my matrimonial home.”
A committed and spirit filled Christian, Mrs. Folake Lemo was a member of Ore-Ofe Society of St. John’s Church, Igbein, Abeokuta, Ogun State and also fellowshipped with Deeper Life Christian Ministry.

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