Late Madam Paulina Olatobi Aniki Laid to Rest in Ogori
Bashir Opaluwa Idris
The remains of Late Madam Paulina Olatobi Aniki have been laid to rest in Ogori, Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area, following a funeral service attended by family members, friends, and well-wishers.
Delivering the sermon, the guest preacher, Very Reverend Father Nicholas Adebija, reminded mourners not to fear death, noting that it is an inevitable passage for all humanity.
He explained that the awareness of death should inspire people to prepare for life hereafter through righteous living and service to others.
Very Reverend Father Adebija urged Christians to make meaningful impacts in the lives of those around them, emphasizing that their daily conduct should reflect the teachings of the Gospel.
He described the late Madam Paulina Olatobi Aniki as a woman who lived a fulfilled life guided by love for God and humanity.
The cleric also encouraged the children of the deceased to sustain their mother’s legacy by promoting unity and love within the family.
Speaking on behalf of the family, a son of the deceased, Mr. Felix Udebu of Reflection Newspaper, described his late mother as an inspiring and compassionate woman who was always willing to support others in times of need.
He noted that she was caring and kind-hearted to him and his siblings.
Mr. Udebu expressed gratitude to his late mother for introducing him to the Christian faith at an early age, which he said laid the foundation for his life and values today.
BIOGRAPHYOF LATE MAMA PAULINA OLATOBI ANIKI
(Nee ADEJUMO) 1940-2025
Mama Paulina Olatobi Aniki was born in 1940 to the famous family of Mr. and Mrs. Adejumo in Ogori, Ogori/Magongo L.G.A of Kogi State. She was the fifth and last child of the family. Her mother, Late Mrs. Asimawu Adejumo was born into the Aturu’s family, while her father, Late. Pa Adejumo was from the royal family of Balogun and Ogbodo family.
Mama attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Magongo in 1958. After her primary school education and for some financial constraints, she could not proceed to a secondary school and she got married thereafter moved to Kabba to engage in petty trade.
She left Kabba after some couple of years to settle at Okene to support and assist her mother’s elder sister, Late Madam Grace Balogun to run her restaurant business. Unfortunately, her host at Okene, Madam Balogun, died and this prompted Madam Paulina to relocate to Ilorin, Kwara State in order to join her husband, Pa James Aniki (now late). At Ilorin, she was employed at the Kwara State Ministry of Works, the massive staff rationalization by the state government in 1985 affected mama and this made her go into her former business she knew to do best- restaurant business within Ilorin metropolis. And to the glory of God, she was doing well in the business.
After the retirement of her husband from the Nigerian Police Force, mama followed him home – Obehira and there she continued her food canteen and even went ahead to expand the business to include a locally made drink called ‘Pito’. All her customers and neighbours called her ‘Oyin Sisi’ (Cece) because of her elegance and beauty.
At the demise of her beloved husband Pa. James Aniki, Mama relocated to Ogori, her hometown and continued her business there.
The deceased remained in Ogori for awhile before her first child Mrs. Florence Abijogun took her to Ilorin for good care, she stayed in Ilorin for many years.
Before Mama’s demise in December, 6th 2025, she promised to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with her children and grandchildren in Lokoja and Okene, but unfortunately she couldn’t make it to the festive seasons as God called her out of this sinful world.
During her lifetime, Mama was a strong disciplinarian, tough and resilient, with godly upbringing and consistent in prayers. She inculcated the fear and discipline in us irrespective of peer pressure right from childhood. Mama worked tirelessly to raise the children in Christian way.
Mama was a devout Catholic member, an ardent tither of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Ilorin, she was a member of Catholic Women Organization (CWO). She was also a member of St. Theresa’s Society and a member of Legion of Mary, Apostolicship of the Sacred Heart Society and she was in the prayer group of St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Taiwo Road, Ilorin. At any given opportunity, if she was at Ogori she attended mass at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Ogori.
The most important characteristic one can identify with Mama is that she was a lover of God and above all things, her Christian faith came first.
Mama will be fondly remembered for her happy and generous life, open hands and mind and above all, her unwavering love for God. She is survived by children, grand children, relatives and friends.
Fare thee well, great women!!!
