The Passing of a Matriarch
In the early hours of Friday the 8th of December 2023, the family of Oyede-Lawal announced the demise of Mama- Alhaja Silifat Lawal who died and was buried same day according to the Islamic rites.
Alhaja Silifat Abike Lawal-Oyede was the mother of Alhaji Mutiu Oyede-Lawal- the Deputy Registrar of Crescent University Abeokuta and one of the three contenders to the throne of Oloola of Ilara.
Alhaja Silifat was born into the family of Late Abiola Goolu of Ilikimou in Benin Republic and Late Ajiun Hannah Opeilu of Igbaka Compound of Ilara in the mid-1950s. She leaved her early life in Derin town of Republic of Benin where she learnt and was established in trading.
Known for her unflinching commitment to family life and love, Alhaja was married to Late Alh. Ibrahim Dende Oyede-Lawal in 1973 with whom she lived until the passing of her husband in the year 2001.
Being a steadfast Muslim and a strong advocate for peace, Alhaja travelled to Saudi Arabia in 2012 to fulfil the fifth pillar and requirement of a devoted Muslim; an act through which she has mentored many, including her children to emulate.
Though Alhaja was known for trading in domestic goods in which she was successful and recognized, many have described her as someone who was more interested in the success of younger generation through her selfless way of training and raising young people in and around Ilara; with several persons such as Aminat Abiola, ChigoGold, Olabosi, Abiola Dare, Oluwaseyi Adeluyi, Gbadesere being few out of many who benefitted from her motherly care, sound upbringing and generosity.
Popularly called Iya Talori, Alhaja Silifat is survived by many children such as Alh. Yusuf Amuda Lawal, Alh. Mutiu Lawal, Alh. Modinat Arowosegbe, Alh. Sherifdeen Lawal, Alh. Fatal Lawal and Mr Sulaimon Lawal, among hundreds of other non-biological children who held Alhaja Serifat as a dearest mother to be sorely missed.
Speaking to CMnews, Alhaji Mutiu Lawal said the demise of his mother is a loss felt by the entire town of Ilara and beyond based on her influence as matriarch to consult with, for fundamental guidance and elderly insights.
He announced that a Fidau prayer has been arranged to take place on the 15th of December 2023.
