Grandma Kukoyi, I am still trying to come to terms with the news that you have gone to be with the Lord. You were a special gift from God to my husband and I during and after our wedding. You played your motherly role towards us so excellently, and you were always there for us.

You were such a beautiful, peaceful, loving, caring, and amazing mother-in-love to me. You always loved having the boys around you, and you'd remember to call them on their birthdays.

I will never forget that early saturday morning that you strolled down to our house in the company of your carer; just to check that we were doing well because it had been a while since we came to visit you due to work pressure.

Your good memories will forever be cherished by us. I still have the gold pocket mirror you gifted me about 4 years ago. It will remain dear to me.

We love and miss you, Grandma. May your sweet amd gentle soul continue to rest in peace. Good night, till we meet to part no more!

(Tribute uploaded by Bade on behalf of Prof. P Oluremi Adesemowo)

*FARE THEE WELL", OUR GOLDEN MUMMY*

I appreciate this great privilege I have in writing this short tribute about our amiable and kind mother.

"Mummy, Mummy" as we usually fondly referred to her, was a lover of youth, very tolerant regarding youthful exuberances and idiosyncrasies.

My son lived with Mummy and Daddy Kukoyi for more than a decade , enjoying the benefit of their abode's proximity to the University of Lagos where he studied. They provided a good home, adequate care and unwavering peace of mind for him.

He enjoyed so much unwavering warmth during his undergraduate period that he still stayed put with them at the beginning of his working sojourn!

" Mummy, Mummy " was always there for us with her assuring smile and warm reception. Otherwise an unwilling Mummy would kick out an unwanted person with few weeks. For her extra-ordinary accommodating disposition , we are eternally grateful.

What can we say about missing your warmth, good advice and calculated planning? We say

"Shame on you, Death" for snatching our "Golden Mummy" away from us; because, our "Mummy Mummy" lives on in our hearts for ever. We take great consolation in the realisation that she has gone to rest in the bossom of her creator and that there shall come that glorious morning when we shall meet again to part no more.

Meanwhile, please, rest in perfect peace. Good night. ADIEU ,our own very dear "MUMMY, MUMMY."

From:

Prof. P Oluremi Adesemowo

( On behalf of Late Prince Adedeji Adesemowo & the family )

(Tribute uploaded by Doyin Pearse on behalf of Mrs Sowemimo)

My Dear Aunty, you loved my mom like a blood sister so when I got married and realized you lived a few minutes away, popping in and out of your home with my children became a fun way to spend Sunday afternoons. Some times, you would insist on walking home with me.

I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations in those years. Listening to your many experiences especially in your younger days were a treasure.

I used to marvel at the way you chose your words when you spoke, usually intentional.

You were a very stylish and elegant woman. Even when at home and not going out, you were dressed elegantly.

You were a "PRECIL" Woman. It was always inspiring for me that well over 40 years ago, some of you Ijebu-Igbo women came together to form that group and within that group, you women achieved so much by impacting lives and also learning. I remember being invited to come and educate you all on some points of Law. That experience inspired me to keep gaining knowledge.

Aunty, the Grace with which you bore some of your experiences in life is motivating. I will always appreciate your thoughtfulness in all you did.

I wish Uncle, your children, their spouses, your grandchildren, your family and friends the strength to bear your loss.

Aunty, I wish you Eternal life. Amen.

Olusola Sowemimo (née Semowo)

Mummy Florence Titilola Kukoyi: A good example of Christian Charity

January 3 every year is celebrated in the Catholic Church as the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. It is an important day because on this day, we invoke the power in the Name of Jesus Christ and recite the Litany of His Holy Name. And it is on this great day that God decided to call our mummy, Mama Florence Titilola Kukoyi back home after an 82- year sojourn on earth. These 82 years were years of service to God and humanity and crowned with a glorious transition.

Mummy loved and served Jesus while here on earth. No wonder, He decided to call her back Home on an important day when the Church celebrates the power in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, every year as we celebrate the Power in the Holy Name of Jesus, we would also celebrate the life of our mummy, who like Jesus, touched the lives of all whose path crossed hers.

My wife, Mary and I are one of the countless numbers of people whose lives mummy touched in love. Between 2010 and 2011, my wife had a critical health challenge and went through excruciating pains daily without drawing much attention to herself. But somehow mummy got to know about her condition, after a close observation. To our surprise, one evening, mummy came to our residence at Moshalashi-Idioro to take my wife to see an orthopedic consultant somewhere in Ilupeju for a third opinion. Like the good Samaritan, she also paid the bills. This act of charity touched me and made me a debtor of love to mummy since then.

I am so indebted because mummy and my wife never had any close relationship, apart from being members of the same Church society in St Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, the St Jude Catholic Women Society. The truth is: she was God-sent, and she responded to God’s call. She never told anyone of this act of kindness. This was mummy’s way of helping people silently. I am sure there are many people like us who benefitted from mummy’s generousity who the family never knew or heard of until her death.

Mummy really followed the injunction of our Lord Jesus Christ on how to do Christian charity; the other hand must not know what the other is giving. And she did this until her death. I thank God for her life. I pray to be like her in charity and her love for God and humanity. Mummy really loved and served God here on earth. She was not just a Sunday-Sunday Catholic, even when age started having a toil on her. She was regular at weekday Masses, especially, on Wednesdays for the weekly Adoration and prayers. I was challenged by her love for God, even when it was not as easy for her as before. I pray to God for the Grace of final perserverance, for the Grace to love God until the end, and crown it with a happy death.

Without being sentimental or judgemental, I can say that God prepared mummy for her death. She had a rare privilege of a priest visiting her some hours before she passed on. Our former pastor, Fr Charles Onwordi, OP administered the last Sacrament of the Church to her on that day. She waited patiently for him to come, despite the obstacles that made the visit impossible the previous day. I would have felt sad if she had left without receiving the last Sacrament, and I am sure, Fr Charles would have felt more terrible. But God in mercy planned it all and made it possible for her to enjoy a rare privilege! However, I’m sad that I couldn’t visit mummy before her departure due to circumstances beyond me. Not so for Mary, my wife. She had the privilege to be one of the last visitors who visited mummy in the hospital before her final departure.

At this point, I deem it fit to appreciate Doyin and her siblings and the nurses who provided the needed support and love for mummy at those critical moments and made the burden light for her. Doyin made the necessary arrangements to make sure mummy attended Masses as she wished and made it possible for her to receive the last Sacrament of the Church.. God bless you. Omo rere a gbehin gbogbo wa, Amin.

Mummy, I know I am still indebted to you for your love for my wife, my children and I. We can’t finish paying it but we know our Heavenly Father will repay you with eternal life in His Kingdom where there is no more pains or tears.

Mummy, ese gan. E sun re, Abiyamo tooto!

A o pade leti Odo!

Odaro.

Chris Mbanewe

On behalf of Mary Mbanewe and the two disciples, Joachim & Jacintha 

Mrs M A Adeogun ( uploaded by Doyin Pearse)

My loving Friend  and sister, a woman of few words gentle, caring, God fearing and well disciplined.

 Adeous

May your soul rest in peace, Amen!

Mrs MA Adeogun

 Our heartfelt sympathies are sent to you and your family as you gather round and remember the sweetness of your dear mother. Love and prayers, Kevin and Jo Ann MacDonald

My tribute to Mummy Kukoyi is in my heart because she holds a special place in my heart.  Gentle, soft-spoken, and simple were you ma. You radiated warmth and affection whenever I was around you and there was always a calmness to your ways. To me, it felt like you operated under the notion that the world could move on with its haste and madness, you would move at your own pace with grace.  

My condolences to the entire family; Mummy will surely be missed.  

Sleep on mama.

My dear mummy, words fail me. 

I understand you are in a better place and didn’t think I would not see you in person again. Thank you for your love and kindness. I remember us sitting down and gisting. Your laughter and my teasing.

You are one of the most pragmatic women I know. I say” you are” because you live on.

Till we meet again, thank you ma for everything.

Your Faith Mi

TRIBUTE TO MY DEAREST AUNTY

Aunty, I am very saddened by your passing. I had hoped that you will hang on for a few more years. I will surely miss you. I will forever treasure all those giggles and laughter we had. All your takes on my education, your priceless advises particularly “Di Olorun mu. You need it Leke, you are too special, evil ones abound”. But I am consoled by the fact of the scripture that “The Memory of the just is blessed” Prov. 10:7. For precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15)

“The Christian meaning of death is revealed in the light of the Paschal Mystery of the Death and Resurrection of Christ in whom resides our only hope. The Christian who dies in Christ Jesus is ‘away from the body and at home with the Lord’ (2 Cor 5:8).”

The life of the one we love is never lost, its influence goes on through all the lives it ever touched. For life is eternal and love is immortal and death is only a horizon. A horizon is nothing save the limit of our sights.

O God who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light; grant that your servant my dearest aunty Florence Titilola Kukoyi (nee Gbolade) to your never failing care and love and bring us all to your Heavenly kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. May light perpetual shine on her and in Your mercy grant her eternal rest.

Sleep on my dearest aunty.

Leke Olu-Osifeso

Thank you Mummy.

I know they say we are not to cry when old people die but this one is hard. I know you are in a better place. We will miss you.

I remember the day my dad brought me to Lagos to resume in Unilag. The teenage Bade was handed to you and Daddy Kukoyi. You raised me as yours. Not only during the time I lived with you (over 12 years) but also even when I moved out. You were my second Mum.

I remember when I would come home to Onike from my Unilag room just to come and eat. I remember our cooking lessons too. I even still use the exact gas cooker hub cleaning technique you taught me.

I remember your advice when the younger Bade decided to start a company from the back room in Onike. You were always checking on me , encouraging me to not give up. You were there ! I remember my first time appearing in a newspaper ... you were so proud. You must have read that news article so many times because you asked me so many questions and details paragraph by paragraph on multiple occasions.

I remember how you welcomed my wife when I introduced her. I used to wonder who knew you first sef... Not that i was jealous sha. I remember your seat in the living room , our technology support sessions and so many more. There are too many memories.

I know as Christians , this is not good bye. This is see you later.

Thank you Mummy for all that you did and were on this side of eternity.

See you later, Mummy.

Bade Adesemowo

(Omo Mummy)