An outpouring of grief and gratitude marked the funeral of Mama Christianah Aderoju Ajike, a revered matriarch and long-standing member of the First Baptist Church, Oke-Adagba, Saki, who was laid to rest on Saturday at the age of 92.
The solemn yet celebratory service drew family members, clergy, and community leaders who gathered to honour a woman remembered for her deep faith, resilience, and unwavering commitment to family and service.
Officiating ministers, led by Rev’d M. O. Boladale, described the late Ajike as “a pillar in the household of faith,” whose life reflected steadfast devotion to God and humanity. Hymns, scriptural readings, and choral renditions punctuated the service, capturing both mourning and thanksgiving.
Born on February 16, 1934, in Gerunkuka, in the present-day Republic of Togo, Mama Ajike’s early years were shaped by migration and modest beginnings. As a young girl, she moved to northern Nigeria, where limited access to formal education did not deter her pursuit of knowledge. Through determination and faith, she learned to read the Bible—an achievement that became central to her spiritual life.
In 1954, she married the late John Adeleke Egunsola, and together they built a family that would later become her greatest legacy. Widowed in 1974, she faced the daunting task of raising six children alone—an experience frequently referenced during tributes as a defining testament to her courage and strength.
Speakers described her as industrious and principled, recalling her years as a trader in textiles and farm produce, as well as her later ventures in local food production. Her reputation for cleanliness, discipline, and diligence earned her admiration within and beyond her immediate community.
Within the church, Mama Ajike was known for her quiet but impactful service. She held key roles, including treasurer for several church groups such as the Sunbeam Band and the Women Missionary Union, and remained active in church affairs well into her later years.
Her son, Ambassador Paul Egunsola, in an emotional tribute, described her as “the backbone of our family and a source of enduring wisdom,” adding that her influence extended far beyond her immediate household.
“Mama was firm, but her firmness built character,” he said. “Her values shaped not only who we are, but how we live and work.”
Other tributes echoed similar sentiments, portraying her as a disciplinarian with a compassionate heart-one who opened her home to relatives and neighbours, offering guidance, support, and prayer.
Clergy members also highlighted her strong spiritual legacy, noting her participation in a Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 2001 and her lifelong commitment to prayer and evangelism.
Despite the solemnity of the occasion, the service carried an undercurrent of celebration, as attendees reflected on a life marked by purpose, sacrifice, and faith. Songs of hope and resurrection underscored the belief, shared by many present, that her passing was a transition to eternal rest.
Mama Ajike is survived by her six children, numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, many of whom were present to pay their last respects.
As proceedings concluded with a final hymn and benediction, mourners filed out in quiet reflection, united in the recognition that her legacy,anchored in faith, discipline, and love will continue to resonate across generations.
Dignitaries at the event include Ambassador Kolawole ,Elder Wole Oladokun ,Ambassador Paul Egunsola.
Other Special guests are representatives of the Baagi’s family, notably Remi Adegbola and Pastor Shuttu.
Also in attendance were members of the Eminent Club of Nigeria, alongside distinguished personalities such as Dr. T. O. Ojebode, Prince Sunday Oyelade, Mr. Adeola, Otunba Segun Alao and family members.