The matriarch of the Adekunle Fajuyi family of Ado-Ekiti, South-West Nigeria, has died before assistance from the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, could reach her.

Mourning Mrs. Eunice Fajuyi, wife of late Lt. Colonel Adekunle Francis Fajuyi, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, the lawmaker representing Ekiti Central, revealed that after he and Fayemi learnt last week that Mrs. Fajuyi could no longer walk, “the governor had made arrangement to secure a wheelchair to aid her, only to learn of her death this morning.”

Mrs. Fajuyi’s death came 47 years after that of her husband, Lt. Colonel Adekunle Francis Fajuyi, who was killed by Nigeria’s first generation coupists while protecting the country’s then Head of State, Maj.-Gen. JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi. Mrs. Fajuyi, who refused to remarry in honour of her gallant husband, would have been 85 next week.
Senator Ojudu in a statement in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, described Mrs. Fajuyi’s death as “shocking and unexpected” as he and some others “were planning a befitting birthday for her.”

The journalist-turned politician said “Mama was like her husband in all ramifications, strong, disciplined, brave, loyal and people-loving.”

Paying tribute to the departed matriarch and her husband, Ojudu said: “As a little boy growing up in Ado-Ekiti, Lt. Colonel Fajuyi was one of those people who inspired my belief that background and status matter not in one's bid to become notable. His heroic deed was and is still a source of strength and pride to me. This played a great role in my bravery in the face of military persecution during the pro-democracy struggle. Being close to his wife, Mama Fajuyi, showed me that she was in every way like him.”

Senator Ojudu expressed his heartfelt condolence to the Fajuyi family, the Ewi-in-Council, the entire Ado community and the Government and people of Ekiti on the death of the Fajuyi matriarch, promising that he would ensure that mama’s memory linger on.

•Photo shows Governor Fayemi.