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Mother of Otunba Mike Adenuga, Globacom Chairman, Chief (Mrs) Oyin Adenuga, is dead.
Mother of Otunba Mike Adenuga, Globacom Chairman, Chief (Mrs) Oyin Adenuga, is dead.
She died in the early hours of yesterday at the age of 90. Mrs Adenuga celebrated her birthday on February 19.
Born Oyin Onasile on February 19, 1915 at Ibido, Oke Sopen Quarter, Ijebu Igbo in Ogun State to Late Pa Silu Onasile and Late mama Dorcas Onasile, she is the fifth of her mother's seven surviving children.
She enrolled at St. John's Anglican Primary School, Oke Sopen, Ijebu Igbo. Upon completing her primary education, she proceeded to Lagos as was the fad in those days where she learnt dressmaking. With her midas touch, she soon turned dressmaking into a goldmine, and was known as one of the best dressmakers of her time.
On January 5, 1937, she walked down the aisle with her heartthrob, Late Pa Michael Adenuga, also a native of Ijebu Igbo. He was a teacher and inspector of education and was reputed to have lived a spartan life of discipline. With her husband, mama took residence in Ile Ife. She relocated to Ibadan in 1944 to establish a vibrant dressmaking institute.her birthday on February 19.
Late chief Adenuga, who is the mother of Nigeria's business icon, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. was regarded by her admirers as the quintessential, priceless gem and a symbol of purity.
Priceless still are her immense contributions to the moulding of lives. Her impeccable character has made her role model to countless young women who look up to her in their journey through life as wives and mothers. Her children are today men and women who hold key positions in various fields providing, employment and succour to thousands of lives worldwide.
Born Oyin Onasile of February 19, 1915 at Ibido, Oke Sopen Quarter, Ijebu Igbo in Ogun State to Late Pa Silu Onasile and Late mama Dorcas Onasile, she is the fifth of her mother's seven surviving children.
Her father, knowing the value of good education, rolled her at St. John's Anglican Primary School, Oke Sopen, Ijebu Igbo. Upon completing her primary education, she proceeded to Lagos as was the fad in those days, and there she learnt dressmaking. With her Midas touch, she soon turned dressmakers to a goldmine, and was known as one of the best dressmakers of her time.
On January 5, 1937, she walked down the aisle with her heartthrob, Late pa Michael Adenuga, also a native of Ijebu Igbo. He was a teacher and inspector of education and was reputed to have lived a Spartan life of discipline. With her husband, Mama took residence in Ile Ife. She relocated to Ibadan in 1944 to establish a vibrant dressmaking institute with several young women apprenticed to her.
Understanding the dynamic of life, Mama knew her locally celebrated skill n dressmaking will be enhanced by international exposure and further education. She jetted out of England where between 1995 and 1956 she obtained a Diploma in Dressmaking from The London Polytechnic. As would be expected, her outfit started competing favourably with the best international labels and she enjoyed the patronage of the noble and the affluent. Her quest for growth and excellence propelled her to expand her business beyond dressmaking as she ventured into buying and selling on a large scale.
Mama Adenuga soon became one of the first set of distributors for Nigerian Breweries and Guinness and her annual turnover was so impressive that she was rewarded yearly as one of the two companies most outstanding distributors.
In recognition of her innumerable contributions to commence and her community, she was in 1961 honoured with the title of Otunba of Ikija Ijebu, followed by the title of Iyalaje of Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State in 1969. The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona conferred of her the exalted title of Yeyeoba of Ijebuland in 1985.
A deeply religious woman, Mama Adenuga, an Anglican, attends St. Anne's Church, Ibadan and St. John's Anglican Church, Oke Jaga, Ijebu Igbo. Matron of the Egbe Itesiwaju Society of St. Anne's church, her contributions to church growth and development qualified her as one of the church's Octogenarian Honours Awardees on December 12, last year.
Chief (Mrs.) Oyin Adenuga is blessed with three daughters and two sons, including Mrs. E.O. Osunsade, Otunba (Mrs.) Akande, Chief Ademola Adenuga, Otunba (Mrs) Yetunde Adegbola and Otunba (Dr) Mike Adenuga (Jnr), Chairman, Globacom Limited and other blue chip companies.