Ilora, an idyllic town near the ancient city of Oyo will never forget January 8, 2022 in a hurry.

It was the day the Oketíkun family bid final farewell to their late matriarch, DEACONESS CHIEF JANET MOJISOLA OKETIKUN (JP).

It witnessed a huge influx of dignitaries from far and near, even from distant climes like Europe and the Americas. It was also an event graced by their Royal Highnesses including the monarchs of Ilora and Fiditi.

But then, knowing the pedigree of the great soul being given her final honours, observers contend that nothing else would have sufficed. A great woman of influence, loving wife, great mother and renowned Christian leader, Deaconess Chief Mrs. Janet Oketikun, truly deserved to be so honoured.

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The Oketikun siblings call her “The Greatest Mother in the Universe” and they showed their unalloyed appreciation of her love and care by giving her a befitting farewell. From the wake keep to the church farewell service and the posh party after the interment, Màmá Oketikun truly blazed a glorious trail as she became one with her late husband and the other ancestors.

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Mama’s children still feel the pain of her parting as evident in the following tributes to her. “We don’t think we can ever be ready to accept the fact that you have passed on to the great beyond. The pains and vacuum your demise has left in out hearts are unimaginable.”

“Our mother, our first love, our true confidant, our prayer warrior, how can we live a day without hearing your voice?”
“Mum, the awful anguish and grief we have is unlike anything we have ever experienced. No words can express our grief of losing you from our lives. You taught us the value of hard work & self discipline, the fear of God, the importance of prayer and the meaning of love and humility.”

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Despite their pain and sense of deep loss however, Mama’s Children and other family members still take solace in her exceptional life. In their tribute, they said:

“We all know without a shadow of doubt that we are blessed to have the most wonderful Mother ever! Mum was the kindest most loving and giving person. The challenge we all have now is how we can go on in this life without her here, but we are ever comforted to know that we will meet again at Jesus feet.

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Our mother was an embodiment of respect, peace, wisdom, kindness, open heartedness. As her children we are forever grateful for the influence that Her love, wisdom, amity, discipline and guidance had in our lives.”

The children also feel proud to have a woman of substance as matriarch. The outpouring of love from the society indeed brought them succour and they expressed this in their tribute: “Many people have alluded to the fact that our mother was an institution. No single word can describe her. Mum was by far the strongest woman we have ever known. She has had her own trials and tragedy in life, yet she overcame all of them. She also made a huge success out of her life regardless of the absence of her biological parents.

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She gave her love to teach us how to share our love and care for one another. She gave more love than we ever knew possible. She always put the family first and adored everybody. Throughout her life time, Mum always amazed us with her spiritual powers and ability to anticipate our troubles and find solutions to them through her personal prayers. And most surprisingly, attend to our grief and troubles remotely through your prayers though we were sometimes distant from you since almost everyone of us are away from her.”

Also, Mama’s children all agreed with the fact that she had the soul of an angel. “She was a mother in a million,” they told The Lagosian. “She was funny, loving, courageous, dedicated, dependable, hard working, honest and a beautiful soul.”
In appreciation of Mama’s exemplary life, the children promised her as they bade farewell:

“We will always exemplify the values you have imparted to us all. They are ingrained in our hearts and soul. Mum, as you journey onward to the Father, may you remember always that our love and deep appreciation for you and all the blessings you have brought unto us and of many others will forever be etched in our hearts.”

As Màmá was committed into the hand of her saviour, they did not hesitate to appreciate God for giving them such a wonderful gift as Mother.” Thank you Lord for the gift of our Mother,” they said.

And on a final note, as Màmá left in a blaze of glory, the Oketikun clan told her: “We are exceedingly grateful for the long life that God granted you, Mum, and for the many good deeds you were permitted to do, for us and for many others. We shall never forget what you represented and all that you did for us and for the extended family.”

What better way to leave this brief journey called life into the joy of the everlasting? Adieu Deaconess Chief Janet Oketikun.