By Bamidele Ademola-Olateju
She was 105 years old. Life had happened to her. But it is the end that matters they say and I believe it. I was told she woke up yesterday all well and radiant. She drank pap for breakfast, told stories and had pounded yam for lunch. A few minutes past 2pm, she fed her two chickens. As she walked in and sat down around 2:30pm, she took a deep breath and passed. Just like that!
Mama Osho lost all her children and was living in grinding poverty until Erelú Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, adopted her, rented her an apartment, furnished it and put her on her payroll.
Mama died happy after going through years of anguish, pain and abandonment. She once said, “I had no idea my children would return”. She found a child in my friend. This iconic picture showed the profound bond between them. As the day breaks, Erelú will be in Ikere-Ekiti to begin the traditional àkàrà (bean cake) frying in celebration of her life. A woman who taught she would die unsung will now have a befitting burial. What an end. May mama’s soul rest in peace. Indeed, it is the end that matters. Ọba jẹ́ kí alẹ́ san wá.
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