Tribute: Biography of Late General Reverend Apostolic Mother, Mrs Cecilia Kehinde Sijuwade Elugbaju

Tribute: Biography of Late General Reverend Apostolic Mother, Mrs Cecilia Kehinde Sijuwade Elugbaju.

In the early hours of January 31, 1933, a set of twins came into life through the late Gbadebo Adewole from Agbedegbede Ruling House and his wife, late Adedire Adewole from Moore Quarters. She was christened Cecilia Kehinde Sijuwade Adewole and shortly after her childhood, her father, Pa Gbadebo Adewole died, consequent upon which her mother was bequeathed to her father’s younger brother, the late James Adewole after 14 years. They begat Mrs. Dorcas Idowu Ojo (nee Adewole and the only sibling of Mama Kehinde Sijuwade ELUGBAJU).
The late Princess Cecilia Kehinde was a unifying factor in the whole family and abhorred cheating, a reason she earned the sobriquet “Iron Lady of Agbedegbede”
She got married to the late Titus Olufunso Adeyeye Akanbi ELUGBAJU from Idita in the year 1951 and they begot the late Christopher Adeleke ELUGBAJU, the late Mrs. Deborah Adebimpe Faloba (nee ELUGBAJU who was also the first wife to Farotimi Faloba – the current Obadio of Ife), Sooko Kemade ELUGBAJU – Sooko Omoniyi of Ife and the Proprietor of Kemade Highflyers Academy, Ife, Mr. Olaolu Adeyemi ELUGBAJU, Mr. Taiwo Funso ELUGBAJU and Mrs. Idowu Adebanke Joseph (nee ELUGBAJU) and two others who were both late. She slept in the Lord at 8:10pm on 28th December, 2020, a month and 3 days ahead of her 88th birthday celebration. During her lifetime, she was a teacher between 1948 and 1950 at Ifetedo during which time she learnt tailoring. In 1951, she resigned her appointment as a teacher for a full-time tailoring job having over 30 apprentices under her tutelage. She later became the Head of Ife Association of Tailors for Okerewe Quarters. She also became the overall Head for Ife Zonal Association of Tailors a post she held until her demise.
As a wife, she was committed to her husband till death snatched him away from the family on July 22, 1992. Mama was the first of the three wives her husband married. She had 8 children, lost 4 and left four behind. She led an eventful life. She was appointed as the Iyaale of Idita in 2019 when she became the most senior wife of the Quarters.
As a mother, she did her best to assist her husband in raising her children when Pa Titus ELUGBAJU’s transport business suffered losses as a result of multiple motor accidents.
Mama was a devout Christian and a staunch member of the Cherubim and Seraphim, Oodayo Parish where she was “Iya Igbebi” and C & S in Ife Zone where she became a General Reverend Apostolic Mother with many awards to her credit. She was the Matron for all the Choirs of C & S churches in Ife Zone 2019 till she joined her ancestors on 28th December, 2020. May her soul rest in peace.

Courtesy: Sooko Kemade Elugbaju(Daughter).