Ibironke Naomi Ige-Owa (1918-2015)

THE death has occurred of Madam Ibironke Naomi Ige-Owa, Yeye Oba of Odo-Eri, Yagba West Local Council, Kogi State. She died at 97 years recently.

  She was born in Okoto, Odo-Eri to the family of the late Pa. Oni in Oke-Efa, Okoto, Odo-Eri and the late Mama Boluwaye of Idau Compound, Odo-Eri in the present day Yagba-West Local Council in 1918.

  She was married to the late Chief Ibiyemi Aina Owa of Odobo Compound, Igbaruku, Oke-Eri in Yagba-West Local Council. However, she lost her husband early in life and the responsibility of catering for the family fell on.

  Mama was very industrious in life. Having had no opportunity of a formal/western education, due to no fault of hers, she learnt clothe weaving as her vocation and also engaged in trading. She was into buying and selling of fruits such as oranges, mangoes etc., and took them to places like Pategi, Kosogi, Gada, Idanaku and Dina. In return, she brought back dry fish, rice and onions, among others for sale across her locality in Yagba-West and Okunland in general. Mama and her late husband, Pa. Ibiyemi Aina Owa, for a better part of their lives sojourned in so many places including Jebba in Kwara State where her husband traded as a shoemaker while Mama engaged in her usual trading.  They later relocated to Isanlu-Mopo in Yagha-East Local Government Area of Kogi State. There is no doubt that Mama played a significant role in sustaining her family after the demise of her husband.

  After retiring from trading in 1999, she dedicated her life wholly unto the service of God and humanity.

  She was a practicing Christian and a great mobiliser in the Christendom. She was a member of the Good Women Society (Egbe Obinrin Rere) in the ECWA Church, Isanlu-Mopo, and Yagba-West Local Council and later became the leader of the society.

  A renowned community leader, she rendered selfless services to all and sundry when the occasion demanded. In recognition, Mama was installed as the Yeye Oba of Odo-Eri, Yagba-West Local Council in 1993. 

 She is survived by blessed with very responsible male and female children among whom are Mrs. Florence Bosede Owoyele, Mrs. Yetunde Aina, Otunba Sam Olu Owa and Mrs. Funmilayo Owode.  

  Adieu Mama! May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!