My Dear Sister,
Alias Auntie Muji(dat), alias Nkele, mom’s pet in your youthful days when though feeble, you still dashed here and there like a shuttle in the loom; alias Okanlawon, the only girl of the trio that survived their parents; alias ‘Iya Alaso ni Gbogunja’; respected mother, grand mother and disciplinarian who would scold her victim in the morning and yet cuddle him in the evening, I salute you. Happy 80th birthday!
Who would think that you’ll make four-score years? From the rural Ajebandele, to the rusty terrains of Ijebu-Ode, to the city of Ibadan; to the ancient Oyo town, all in search of greener pastures; and returning to your home town Ijebu-Ode where you settle(d) to enjoy marital bliss and raise your children – good and responsible children all.
The journey has not been that easy but God has been quite faithful. To me, you have been a mighty pillar of support -showing the way and leading by examples: scolding and comforting all the way. From the beginning you took me not as your sibling but as your child, feeding, clothing and teaming up with my elder brother to see me through all levels of education. And when the time came for me to marry, you shouldered almost everything! What could a bubbling but unemployed youth corps member do at that time other than shooting Cupid’s arrows here and there, cuddling his chosen lady from nearby street!
A lot to say, dear sister but memory is fading because your brother is aging, too. All I’m trying to do is to appreciate you and felicitate with you as you step into the octogenarian ladder while preparing for the centurion prize in the next two decades.
Quietly but happily you bore my excesses even when my children started coming. You played your role as a surrogate mom because while dad had departed the world then, mom had retired from work life and was dependent on you and Bro. Laide.
Undaunted about the increasing load, you soldiered on believing that tomorrow (now today) would be better. Not you to leave your younger brothers behind while you pounded the streets in relative affluence. That’s responsible leadership at play. And so we all trudged on together enduring the battles and buffets of life and whatever came our way.
You neither broke the cord of affection nor indulged us, your siblings unnecessarily as you combined responsible leadership with innate generosity.
A lot to say, dear sister but memory is fading because your brother is aging, too. All I’m trying to do is to appreciate you and felicitate with you as you step into the octogenarian ladder while preparing for the centurion prize in the next two decades. Afterall your your husband, LMD, alias Baba Tailor hit 105 before he departed this world.
Still young @ 80, you can still beat that record. That’s my wish for you!
‘Mo ki wen o, yemi,
Omo Jaguna okooko,
Oyinbo Ipamuren,
O gun laaro, O gun lale.
Omo okunrin rodorodo bi olu ogan
Wa a tubo pe reni o
Ninu ola ati alafia’
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