Madam Lydia Afayashe

Mama Lydia hails from the Aturu family in Okesi. Although she was not originally related to Eminefo family, her contribution to the growth and development of the dynasty makes her history inseparable from that of the dynasty.

She was the married to the famous Otaro at Ileteju, and with him traveled to several parts of the country, especially the West. Mama as she was known was the mother of Owiya, the first Olori to Ologori G.B. Akerejola. She lived for many years at Lafia Street , Okene in a house occupied mainly by Ogori people, amon whom were mr. Akande (another Babalokoja),Mrs. Inukan's family, Mr. Emmanuel Akpata and Monisola's family.

Mama later moved opposite the General Hospital , to Ologori G Bawa's house, following Baba's movement to Okene with Owiya and other wives. There, she continued her buka business, with new and wider customers. While the hospital was her immediate catchments area for her business, she also serviced commuters from Eika, Kuroko, Ebogogo and Inozomi who passed to and fro Okene market.

Mama' business flourished, and she became popular to the immediate community. Most of Baba's children were also fed from the kitchen. In fact, years after the death of the Ologori, Okene was still the first port of call to many Bawa's children who were arriving home on holidays.

Mama was one of the most humane persons. She added human face to it by allowing patients to pay whenever they could; and those who were unable to, she let go. Mama Lydia was so kind-hearted that she reserved food for the mentally ill Ohiare until the latter died.

Mama was a devoted Anglican in Okene. She was installed as the women leader in the church and served them with the talents God had given her. She was beloved of both the clergy and the laity in the branch.

When Mama became old, she moved to Ogori where she remained in good health for several years. She continued her service to God in the Anglican Church, Ogori, while she was too old to attend services physically; she was still faithful in paying her tithes and dues in the church.

One wish Mama always included in her prayers was that we should all be at home when she answered the final call. Her wish was granted when all gathered at Ogori on the occasion of the funeral of the late Kabiyesi, G. Bade Akerejola. She was called to her final rest in 1999 “with her face covered with palms all grand children and some great grandchildren”. The eulogy rained on her during her funeral service, and the huge crowd from Okene and beyond, spoke volumes of the selfless service she rendered to humanity.

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