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Daughter of slain 89-year-old grandmother, Mrs Comfort Adejoke John, Mrs Olalari Idowu, has said her mother’s death must not be in vain.
Mrs John was killed in her Surulere home on June 19, allegedly by her house keeper, Joseph Ogbu.
Ogbu, who is in prison custody, is also believed to have murdered Mrs John’s daughter, Oreoluwa, who was pregnant.
The funeral started last Thursday with a wake at Mrs John’s residence in 4, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos State.
Friday was the burial service at The First African Church Mission, Jehovah Shalom Cathedral in Tinubu, Lagos State.
She was interred at Vaults and Gardens in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Mrs Idowu said justice must prevail.
“It is unfortunate that her life ended in the hands of a domestic worker. She should not die that way. Justice must be done. That boy killed three people because my sister was also pregnant. It will be a shame if the government does not take up this case and allow justice to prevail. The government must also check and investigate all organisations that are in charge of house keepers.”
The bereaved daughter said her mother died as a saviour, adding that she always showed humanitarian service and took good care of her house keepers.
“She sent her house keepers to school or to learn a trade, depending on what the house keeper wanted.”
Mrs Idowu described her mother as a wonder, a genius and a woman who would always attended to the needs of everybody.
“She taught me how to be neat; she believed so much in praising God. She was a rights activist. She was hardworking and she was bold.
“She was one of the foremost rice importers, golden penny distributors, and she taught her grandchildren mathematics.
“I cherish her time. She taught me how to save and live right and she taught me entrepreneurship.
“She would always attend to maternity emergencies. I remember seeing my mother taking delivery on the roadside and she did it so well,” she said.
In his sermon, Bishop of Lagos West, The First African Church Mission, St Peters Church, Odi-Olowo, Bishop Gospel Jaja said life is borrowed and it can be collected back any day and at any time, whether you are prepared for it or not.
He said: “Anything borrowed is what the owner can come and collect at any time and you have to return it anytime the person comes for it. This is how it is with life. The life we live does not belong to us; life can be taken from us even when we don’t expect it to happen, just as nobody knew nor expected Mama was going to die, most especially considering the circumstances around her death.
“Mama never expected that something will happen that day that will lead to her death. The children will be saying ‘why did mummy die the way she died’. Everybody will be asking questions, many would say ‘Mama was so committed and dedicated in the church to the service of God’. No matter how painful the situation is, you must look up to God, He is the author and finisher of our faith. You must know that God has not changed and that God is still God. No matter how you feel confused at this time, you must always hold on to God.”
The cleric urged them not to be wailed down by the circumstance around the death of Mama but should take solace in God and in that Mama has gone to a better place where there is no more sorrow and she will be safe.
“Our concern now should be that we will die someday and we must be prepared for it. Mama never knew she was going to die, no one prays to die, but when it comes, there is nothing we can do.
“That you don’t want to die does not mean you will not die, there is no argument about it; a day will come that you will die, make amends and live righteous.
He prayed God will comfort and console the family, adding that the family and the congregation’s destiny will not be cut short,” he said.
Mrs John was killed in her Surulere home on June 19, allegedly by her house keeper, Joseph Ogbu.
Ogbu, who is in prison custody, is also believed to have murdered Mrs John’s daughter, Oreoluwa, who was pregnant.
The funeral started last Thursday with a wake at Mrs John’s residence in 4, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos State.
Friday was the burial service at The First African Church Mission, Jehovah Shalom Cathedral in Tinubu, Lagos State.
She was interred at Vaults and Gardens in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Mrs Idowu said justice must prevail.
“It is unfortunate that her life ended in the hands of a domestic worker. She should not die that way. Justice must be done. That boy killed three people because my sister was also pregnant. It will be a shame if the government does not take up this case and allow justice to prevail. The government must also check and investigate all organisations that are in charge of house keepers.”
The bereaved daughter said her mother died as a saviour, adding that she always showed humanitarian service and took good care of her house keepers.
“She sent her house keepers to school or to learn a trade, depending on what the house keeper wanted.”
Mrs Idowu described her mother as a wonder, a genius and a woman who would always attended to the needs of everybody.
“She taught me how to be neat; she believed so much in praising God. She was a rights activist. She was hardworking and she was bold.
“She was one of the foremost rice importers, golden penny distributors, and she taught her grandchildren mathematics.
“I cherish her time. She taught me how to save and live right and she taught me entrepreneurship.
“She would always attend to maternity emergencies. I remember seeing my mother taking delivery on the roadside and she did it so well,” she said.
In his sermon, Bishop of Lagos West, The First African Church Mission, St Peters Church, Odi-Olowo, Bishop Gospel Jaja said life is borrowed and it can be collected back any day and at any time, whether you are prepared for it or not.
He said: “Anything borrowed is what the owner can come and collect at any time and you have to return it anytime the person comes for it. This is how it is with life. The life we live does not belong to us; life can be taken from us even when we don’t expect it to happen, just as nobody knew nor expected Mama was going to die, most especially considering the circumstances around her death.
“Mama never expected that something will happen that day that will lead to her death. The children will be saying ‘why did mummy die the way she died’. Everybody will be asking questions, many would say ‘Mama was so committed and dedicated in the church to the service of God’. No matter how painful the situation is, you must look up to God, He is the author and finisher of our faith. You must know that God has not changed and that God is still God. No matter how you feel confused at this time, you must always hold on to God.”
The cleric urged them not to be wailed down by the circumstance around the death of Mama but should take solace in God and in that Mama has gone to a better place where there is no more sorrow and she will be safe.
“Our concern now should be that we will die someday and we must be prepared for it. Mama never knew she was going to die, no one prays to die, but when it comes, there is nothing we can do.
“That you don’t want to die does not mean you will not die, there is no argument about it; a day will come that you will die, make amends and live righteous.
He prayed God will comfort and console the family, adding that the family and the congregation’s destiny will not be cut short,” he said.
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