By Ismaeel Uthman
All roads led to Ikirun, the headquarter of Ifelodun Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun on Sunday for the inauguration of Mrs Eunice Emiola Baderinwa, the mother of Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa as the Iya Ijo of the African Church, All Saints Parish, Oke-Iroko, Ikirun.
A thanksgiving programme was also held for Baderinwa for his appointment as a member of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s cabinet.
The church was filled to capacity for the two-in-one programme as politicians, career officers, professionals, groups, friends and other well-wishers thronged the church to honour the commissioner and his family.
Mrs Eunice Baderinwa’s appointment, according to the Vicar-In-Charge of the Church, Canon S.S Fulani, was in recognition of her faithfulness, godliness, commitment to the church and services to God.
Fulani described Mrs Baderinwa as a calm, gentle and humble woman with Omoluabi virtues worthy of emulation by other church members.
Thanking God for his appointment, Lani Baderinwa said, his selection for the commissionership appointment was a manifestation of God’s favour in his life.
Baderinwa specifically thanked and appreciated the former governor of the State, Chief Adebisi Akande and the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdulrauf Olawale Adedeji for their support and positive disposition to his appointment.
The commissioner also thanked Aregbesola for counting him worthy of appointment among thousands of qualified people in the state, promising the Governor of his unalloyed loyalty, support, dedication and commitment to the projection and promotion of his administration.
Chief (Mrs) Eunice Baderinwa was born to the family of Late Chief David Adeyemo, Baba Ijo of Saviours African Church Cathedral Oke-Iba, Ikirun in 1935. Her Mother’s name was Late Mrs. Comfort Ajoke Abiola Adeyemo of Idi-Okuta Compound Oke- Iba, Ikirun.
Mrs Baderinwa was brought up by her step-mother, Chief Mrs. Kikelomo Abeo Adeyemo who introduced her to Kolanut business right from her childhood. She became prosperous in this business to the extent that “Kolanut Selling” reflects in her name “Olobide”. This line of trade took her to notable cities like Onitsha, Kano, Kaduna, Yauri, Sokoto e.t.c. Even, she traveled as far as Chad Republic, Cameroon and Niger Republic to sell Kolanuts. Due to this, her interactions with many ethnic groups made her multilingual and helped her so much in the business.
She got married to the Late Chief James Iyanda Abolanle Baderinwa of Babasale compound, Ikirun in 1954.
A devoted Christian and true follower of Jesus Christ, she is God-fearing, an epitome of unity and very hospitable in the family. She is always after the well-being and progress of all children in their family without discrimination.
Her assiduity and responsiveness to church programmes and activities earned her the “Iya Ijo” of the church.
