From the night of September 14 when she died to the day her remains were interred, people have been flocking to her home in Iba, a Lagos suburb. The late Alhaja Asia Alape-Idowu-Esho was not only a woman of substance in her own right, she also bore great children. One of them is the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule. The Iba countryhome of the Idowu-Eshos, Alapes and Adebules have been a Mecca of sorts since Mama’s death.
Within few minutes of her death, the whole Iba community and by extension, Ojo town started mourning.
The late Alhaja Alape-Idowu Esho, was born into the Ogunbiyi-Alape dynasty of Iba.
Her marriage to Alhaji Kamorudeen Idowu-Esho produced five children – Mujeeb, Monsurat, Idiat, AbdulHafeez and Rasheedat, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She died at 69.
She is survived by her loving husband and children.
After her interment at Iba the following morning, sympathisers joined the family at L.A Primary School, Iba for prayers. The Lagos State Executive Council was led by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. Politicians within and outside Ojo axis were present. Some members of academic staff from the Lagos State University (LASU) where Dr Adebule lectured and obtained her Doctorate in Curriculum Studies last year were not left out. Leaders of the institution’s Muslim community teamed up with the clerics in Ojo to pray for the deceased and the relative left behind.
Some women in the community singing round the town with the picture of the deceased, a tradition often found among the Igbo.
They later joined the guests in the school compound.
Last Sunday, the eight-day Fidau was held at the same school expansive premises.
From Iba junction to the school premises, different big banners with pictures of the deceased were hung at strategic points.
They were sponsored by individuals, party and siblings of the deceased.
Commercial motorcyclists had a bright outing; itinerant drummers were also on hand to enliven the atmosphere.
The crowd was massive; even the down pour could not stop them from thronging the venue in large number.
They shone in white attires and purple headgears and caps.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District was among the early birds at the venue.
She led eminent personalities which include state executive, former state cabinet members, party stalwarts, community leaders and youths.
The event, which began with prayer, featured recitation of the Holy Quran, admonitions and special prayers for the deceased and her family.
Among the guest speakers was Dr AbdulLateef Adetona, who enjoined the gathering to be God conscious in their dealings.
Adetona, the LASU Senior Lecturer, said death could come at anytime, hence mankind should always prepare.
Donations were collected for charity on her behalf.
According to a family friend, Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso, the amount realised is N2.5 million.
Oyefeso, the former Lagos State Independent Electoral Commissioner said, the money would be used to dig boreholes in some Mosques within Iba and procure other useful material to development the Iba Central Mosque.
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed prayed Allah grants her Al-Jannah firdaus (best of the paradise.)
Lagos State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Dr Ajibayo Adeyeye who has known Dr Adebule since year 2000 believed the late Alape-Idowu-Esho had great impact on her daughter.
“Dr Adebule is an upright woman and that is I have always identifies with her. I pray God grant Mama paradise and give my sister (Dr Adebule) and the rest of her family the fortitude to bear the lost,” Adeyeye said.
Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba described her as a righteous woman.
“She trained all her children to be of good personality and they are people of integrity. I pray that Allah grants her Al-Jannah firdaus because she truly served Allah,” he said.
He urged parents to emulate the lifestyle of the deceased for them to enjoy good gesture after their demise.
The son-in-law of the deceased, Alhaji Saheed Adebule, an Information Technology expert described her as “my mother because she treated me like her son.
“She was somebody you cannot forget in a hurry because she always leave her impression on your mind; she was loved by everybody; reliable, honest and straight forward. Oh, I would miss her companionship,” Alhaji Adebule said.
His wife, Dr Adebule though described her death as painful but thanked Allah for given her mother the grace to serve Him.
The Lagos State SSG said of her mother: “She dedicated her last 13 years serving Allah, stop hustling for money and focus on humanitarian gesture. Aside engaging in charity on our behalf, she even gives us money not minding our status. I was surprised during the last Eid-il-Fitr when she told me she fasted the whole 29 days of Ramadan as if she knew she would not witness another edition.
“She was my role model; always stretched back to meet our needs; none of her children ever lack anything; very supportive and prayerful. I miss everything about her; she really understands me. I lost a priceless jewel.”
Dr Adebule thanked people who stood by the family during the funeral and prayers.
“I was shocked by the turn out and people sending condolence messages. I thanks them all,” she said.
