Nigerians from all walks of life joined Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and the family in Lagos, to celebrate his mother, Mama Olubisi Osinbajo aka ‘Mumisco’, as she turned 90 on Thursday, 16 February, 2023.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, top government officials and dignitaries attended the thanksgiving church service.
The thanksgiving service was held at the St Jude Cathedral Church in Ebute-Meta, Lagos State.
It was led by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye.
Leading the special celebration messages for Mama contained in the event brochure is President Muhammadu Buhari who wrote a personal letter to Mama Osinbajo.
According to the President in a message earlier released by the Presidency, “on behalf of myself, my family, and Nigerians, we rejoice with Mama and wish her continued grace and joy in the Lord, all the days of her life. Amen.”
President Buhari thanked God for the gift of long life and all her accomplishments, particularly “for giving Nigeria the gift of your son, our Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and his other illustrious siblings.”
He also expressed happiness that “the matriarch of the Osinbajo family had thought it worthy to establish the Olubisi Osinbajo foundation, which caters for the wellbeing of widows and families of clergymen. It is an initiative I recommend to other endowed people in our society, as it has lofty rewards not only here, but also in the hereafter.”
On his part, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said Mama is so exceptional in many respects but there are four things he has learnt from her.
According to him: “four things I learnt from Mama. First, is her personal integrity, simply telling the truth always.
“She simply did not tolerate lying, even seemingly white or innocuous lies! She also had a problem with excessive display of wealth, she felt it reflected poor breeding.
“Second is her insistence on proper behaviour, politeness and respect for elders. Third is how she had always believed I would be a lawyer. She always resisted every attempt to distract me. The fourth is her service to the gospel and her prayerfulness.”
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye who also ministered at the service, prayed for the celebrant, thanked God for her life and asked for God’s blessings on her and everyone at the service.
Mama Olubisi Osinbajo was born on the 16 February 1933 to Thomas and Victoria Aiyegbayo both of blessed memory.
She had her early education at Sagamu Girls School in the early 40s and she thereafter attended the Sagamu Teachers Training College where she graduated as a teacher.
On 28 December 1954, she got married to Opeoluwa Osinbajo and together with her husband successfully ran the first automated sawmill factory in Nigeria. Mama is a devoted Christian and is actively involved in the activities of her church and charity.