Evangelist Oluyomi Odumosu
I was shattered and devastated at the sudden news of my younger sister’s exit. I couldn’t reach her for 3 days consecutively on the phone as we usually charted, having done so just two weeks before when she called me herself and we spoke for almost 40 minutes. I called her husband on Thursday and left a voice message. He called me back and told me she was in the hospital. I called back on Saturday and told me she was still in the hospital. I booked my ticket for the next Wednesday to come and see her, only to be called by her husband on Sunday morning as I was stepping out to go to church that he just lost my sister. One can only imagine what state of shock and hysteria I was in.
I could not bring myself to call her children to console them, I didn’t have the nerve. . What would I say and what was I going to talk about? Yomi’s my junior sister and we’re very close. She’s very dear to me. All I could do is to take the flight I have booked and head to Delaware and see them in person rather than phone talk and give each a big hug and to let them know that all is well with them.
Every time I pick up my pen to write something about my sister, my hand trembled and head and mind go blank that I didn’t know what to write and how to begin. Tears rolled from my eyes and that’s the end. I did this many times without success because the pain kept coming to my heart and I had to go out for fresh air.
I still cannot find the words adequate enough to describe my sister Evangelist Oluyomi. She’s a strong pillar, a solid rock, courageous and fearless in whatever cause she believes in. She’s selfless, compassionate, frank, passionate, bold and blunt. She’s for fairness and justice.
Yomi and I were like twins when growing up who got in each other’s way but love each other deeply. She liked to take her chances with me a lot and I let her be herself and she knew exactly when to stop when I sent her the signal. She always respect me for my big sister role. She’s more outgoing while I’m more reserved. She’s very boisterous and she impacted many people around her. She worked very hard in her life alongside her husband till they reach their pinnacle. She’s a great Achiever, very intelligent and full of wisdom. She’s an epitome of virtue and character. She’s easily noticeable by her demeanor and she liked to gather people together wherever she is.
When her family moved to Delaware, she felt Nigerian community were just too by themselves and not interacting with one another. She went to work with her husband until they brought most Nigerians out of their shells and started doing activities together. She organized the Nigerian Community Association of Delaware (NCAD) with every 4th of July and 1st of October to plan activities for children and adults to celebrate American and Nigerian Independence. All Nigerians in the Delaware valley identify with it, regardless of ethnicity or religion and the number grew beyond imagination. I had witnessed two of such occasions when I visited with her where the Mayor of Delaware, Counselor of the Local Government and some government Officials would honor her invitation and give speech and address the Nigerians in Delaware especially during the Nigerian Day.
Yomi’s an Encourager who loves to patronize Nigerians in whatever trade they do and encourage others to do the same. She encouraged people to come and display their skills and trades at the Nigerian Day celebrations and made sure everything that’s needed for the planned activities are supplied by Nigerians within the community.
Yomi’s an advocate of fairness and justice and would not have one oppressing another.
Yomi and I did counsel each other a lot and she often thanked me for the little pennies I was able to lend her as she was dealing with the ENCARD community in Delaware.
The community appreciate her for the great work she has done bringing them together. They often refer to her as their mother in Delaware. She was still planning the activities for the 1st of October which happens to be her birthday with her committee members until she answered the call of her Creator.
When I was the Global President of AGGSOGA and decided to step down to pursue other interest, she encouraged me to organize the Global Conference which took place in 2021. Despite the Covid period, she supported me all the way and made her way down to Nigeria. She served as one of the Panelists for discussion in one of the programs. At AGGSOGA Front, she was a fierce defender of me especially when I was the Global President. That is Yomi for you. She would give her unflinching support for the cause she believes in fairness and justice. She often marveled at my calm temperament and wondered why I had to take so much insults from people. I always told her that a Leader is like a Trash bin who absorbs all things.
Yomi and her husband, Reverend Ayo Odumosu brought up their 3 lovely children in the way of the Lord. Today, they are all doing great in their chosen field and they are children to be proud of anywhere. I’m glad she bonded with her 2 grandchildren for many years doing her grandma roles until she departed .
Oluyomi my darling sister, I love you but God loves you more. That is why you answered the great call to be at the foot of our Lord Jesus Christ until we meet again at the resurrection morning to part no more.
Adieu
Yeye Otunba Adetola Hassan
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