BY IKPO IGBINOBA
She came. She saw. She conquered. And she exited in a blaze of glory.
That’s the apt summary of the life and times of late Chief(Mrs.) Rachael Olaoko Fasakin-Adeyomoye( nee Afelebe), the Eyedogun of Odo-Iju, Ayetoro-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
The story of Chief (Mrs.) Rachael Fasakin-Adeyomoye is a classic of how a little girl with humble beginning turned out to be a roaring success, a true amazon of our times.
Chief(Mrs.) Fasakin-Adeyomoye was born in Ile-Aaye in Odo-Iju Quarters of Ayetoro-Ekiti, 87 years ago.
Her parents, Pa Matthew Dada Afelebe and Madam Janet Afelebe( both of blessed memory) who were devout christians were of modest means.
And for one who was born without the proverbial silver spoon, the future looked bleak and daunting for the young Rachael.
However, what her parents lacked in material resources, they made up for with the Christian values of generosity, hardwork, honesty and humility.
These values were instilled in the young Rachael before she left her parents to live with her uncle in Ikire, then in Oyo State(and now in Osun State).
Throughout her very successful sojourn here on earth those virtues defined her life.
And when she answered the Divine Call on Tuesday September 20, 2022 at the age of 87 she had left indelible footprints in the sand of time.
She was a phenomenal success by every standard.
Chief(Mrs.) Fasakin-Adeyomoye would always be remembered as one of the leading merchants in foodstuff business in Kwara State and the old Western region comprising present day states of Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Ogun.
She traversed the length and breadth of the region buying foodstuffs in bulk and selling in wholesale and retail.
Unlike several merchants of her era who operated like Shylocks with the sole aim of profiteering, her business model had a human face; her objective was to make the foodstuffs available and affordable to even the poorest of the poor.
Chief(Mrs.) Fasakin-Adeyomoye made a name as a successful merchant; but what endeared her to many in her community and far-flung places was her philanthrophy.
Chief (Mrs.) Fasakin-Adeyomoye was obsessed with giving, giving and giving.
She met the needs of the vulnerable, the poor and the needy.
She adopted several vulnerable children and raised them in the same way she raised her children.
In her home, there was no way to distinguish between her biological children and her adopted children.
Aside attending to the individual needs of her people, she was also a champion of community service, supporting all the developmental projects with her resources.
In fact, she was one of the pillars on which her community rested.
Her enormous contributions to her community was appreciated in 1989 when she was conferred with the prestigious title of Eyedogun of Odo-Iju Quarters, Ayetoro-Ekiti. She held the title until her demise.
Though she died at a ripe old age of 87, the death of Chief(Mrs.) Fasakin-Adeyomoye triggered outpouring of grief from far and wide.
Her interment on September 24, 2022 attracted the creme d’la creme of society who turned up to pay their last respects to an amazon who overcame the vicissitudes of life, transformed the lives of many and played a huge role in the development of her community.
If the interment attracted the creme d’la creme to Ayetoro-Ekiti, the final funeral service of Saturday May, 13th 2023 brought together the high and mighty of different walks of life.
Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion which took place at the St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Ayetoro-Ekiti included the Proprietor of Frontliners Schools, Mrs. Esther Aliu who was represented by Mr. Sunday Olaolu Ogunjimi, former Chairman of Ido/Osi Local Government Area, Ekiti, Mr. Adeola Ayodimeji, Navy Captain D. Fagbote and Barrister T. Fagbote who were represented and former councillor Ayetoro-Ekiti Ward 1, Hon. Kunle Ekundayo.
Others were Yeye Darlene Williams who was represented by Mrs S.O. Abiola, Mr. Oyalakin Ibrahim and Mrs Yemisi Oyedeji the chief executive officer of Crystal Etiquette and Poise Academy(Lagos and London)who were also represented.
Pastor and Pastor(Mrs) T.O. Olusoji of Christ Anointed Deliverance Ministry(CADM) were represented by Deacon Dayo Fadipe while Mrs. Shodeinde Aminat Kehinde and Pastor John Ayodeji of Graphic Application were in attendance to add colour to the occasion.
In his sermon at the Funeral Service, Venerable J.S. Komolafe of St. James Anglican Church, Itaogolu, Ondo State admonished the guests to always do good because according to him “Whatever a man does, be it good or bad is on record”.
The title of the Venerable’s sermon posed a pertinent question “What will you be remembered for”?
For those at the Funeral Service and everyone who had an encounter with the late Chief(Mrs) Rachael Olaoko Fasakin-Adeyomoye in her glorious lifetime, the answer to the venerable’s question is not far fetched; they would want to be remembered for good and to achieve the goal, they have to emulate the departed who gave her all in the service to God, to the community and to humanity.
Late Chief (Mrs). Rachael Olaoko Fasakin-Adeyomoye who was a staunch member of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church was married to late Chief David Fasakin-Adeyomoye, the Otun Ijo of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Ayetoro-Ekiti and they were blessed with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The children are Mrs. Deborah Oseni, Deaconess Alice Agbaje, Mrs. Folashade Afolabi, Evangelist Benjamin Fasakin, Rev. Adebodun Fasakin and Mr. Abiodun Fasakin.
