Family, friends, and colleagues have observe the 40-day Fidau (prayer) for the late Alhaja Sidikat Winlola Ishola (née Yusuf), a devout Muslimah, whose life was a testament to strong faith and dedication to Islam.
The late Ishola worked at the First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), where she rose to the position of Business Development Manager (BDM).
Fondly called ‘Lolly’ by her husband and ‘SWO’ by her close friends and colleagues, the mother of Dr. Adenike Adigun, Teslim Ishola, an Engineer, and Dr. Adedoyin Otegbeye, passed away on May 13, 2025.
On Sunday, family and friends converged on the Shamsi Adisa Mosque Hall at the Old Lagos State Secretariat, Ikeja GRA, for special prayers and tributes.
The event featured recitation from the Holy Quran, admonition and testimonies among others.
After special prayers from the clerics, the participants took turns to pay glowing tributes to her.
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The widower, Alhaji Amusa Ishola, an engineer, recounted their almost 40-year journey together, which began in 1982.
He said: “The moment I laid eyes on you, I fell in love and I proposed to her right there by saying ‘Please Be My Wife.”
Their marriage, solemnized in December 1985, was a partnership built on unwavering love and care, blessed with successful children and grandchildren.
Alhaji Ishola spoke of his wife’s immense impact not only on their immediate family but also on the wider Ishola and Yusuf families, friends, and professional circles.
He highlighted her 28-year career at FBN and her significant contributions to various Islamic organizations, including Nawair-Ud-Deen Ikotun (where she was Aare Adini Obinrin), The Muslim Community of Houston, Al Mumineen, Al Iman, The Elders (Women Group), and The Companion Group. Even after retiring from banking, she continued to serve as a substitute teacher in the Katy Independent Schools District, a testament to her lifelong dedication to service.
The deceased’s Brother-in-law, Alhaji Muftau Ishola, described Alhaja Sidikat as much more than a wife to the family.
“She was my mentor, my guide, and my confidant,” he said.
He lauded her deep religiosity, golden heart, and accommodating nature, emphasizing how she treated every family member with compassion and respect.
“Her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit left an indelible mark on our family,” he added.
A close friend, Alhaja Fatima Yewande Oyefeso, who also retired from FBN, described Alhaja Sidikat as a beloved friend, darling sister, confidant and gist mate.
“My sister from another womb was a Muslimah to the core, ensuring that all her religious obligations are met all the time and upholding the five pillars of Islam tenaciously,” Alhaja Oyefeso said.
The late Alhaja Sidikat was born on March 12, 1960, in Kumasi, Ghana, to the late Alhaji Busari Yusuf and Alhaja Asmau Yusuf. Her early life was shaped by her family’s move to Nigeria following the 1969 Aliens Compliance Order. She received her foundational education at Yaa Asantewa Primary School in Kumasi and St. Bridget’s Primary School in Ibadan before attending Ogbomosho Girls High School, where her exceptional academic abilities led to her appointment as Head Girl.
Her pursuit of knowledge continued at the Federal School of Arts & Science, Ondo, and briefly at the University of Ife, culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan in 1985. She later earned an MBA from Lagos State University (LASU) in the 1994/95 academic session.