By Bilesanmi Abayomi
An evening filled with heartfelt tributes and a service of songs was held on Thursday in memory of the late Deaconess Ajoke Rachel Ojurayo Sadiku, affectionately known as Mama Lambo. The event brought together family members, friends, neighbors, politicians, captains of industries, and business moguls, all of whom gathered at Mama Lambo’s Alapere residence to pay their respects to the remarkable woman who passed away last August at the age of 80.
The gathering was a celebration of Mama Lambo’s life, her impactful times, her charitable endeavors, and her deep love for humanity. It was a night of remembrance and gratitude for a woman who touched many lives with her kindness, generosity, and willingness to help those in need.
The Church of Life Evangelical Ministry (Ijo-Iye) Voices choir added a poignant dimension to the event with their soul-stirring worship session, which included hymns such as “Jerusalem on High,” “We Speak of the Realms,” and “When the Trumpet of the Lord Shall Sound.” The emotional songs moved many attendees to tears, and handkerchiefs were used to dab away the tears that flowed.
During a short sermon delivered by Pastor Akinwale Mathew Bolarinwa, he commended the late Deaconess for her significant contributions to the body of Christ and offered prayers for her family.
The first set of tributes came from Mama Lambo’s children, relatives, and neighbors. Her son, Jamiu, expressed his gratitude to God, acknowledging the positive legacy his late mother left for her children. He fondly remembered how she instilled a strong foundation of faith in him during his youth, leading him to have a personal encounter with Christ. He spoke of her as a dedicated prayer warrior who taught him the importance of prayer. He shared that he continues to pray the same prayer she did: that God should judge her based on her deeds through her children. Jamiu believes that her heritage will live on for generations.
Alhaja Muyibat Folashade Oladipupo, Mama Lambo’s daughter, described her mother as a precious gift from God. She emphasized her mother’s beauty, grace, love, patience, discipline, and generosity. She shared how her mother’s strength and smile were a source of comfort even on the darkest days. She expressed her deep sorrow at the thought of navigating life without her beloved mother.
Relatives from various branches of the family, including her husband’s and in-laws, also paid tribute to Mama Lambo. They described her as a remarkable woman, both in life and in death. She was characterized as a caring, loving, and accommodating woman who never took sides during conflicts but instead worked tirelessly to find solutions, always seeking to bring people together.