Veteran journalist and unionist, Deaconess Olufunke Fadugba, has lost her mother, Chief (Mrs) Folake Grace Awosanya, who until her death was Iyaloja of Bakare Bello Market in Araromi Sawmill in Kosofe Local Government area of Lagos State.

A statement by the family made available by Fadugba, a Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council and a school proprietress, said the famous market leader passed peacefully at age 98 in the morning of Tuesday (March 18) at her private residence in Asese, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

"The death has been announced of Chief (Mrs) Folake Grace Awosanya (Obanibasiri) the Iyaloja of Bakare Bello Market in Araromi Sawmill in Kosofe Local Government area. Aged 98, she was installed as the Iyaloja of Bakare Bello in 1978, a position she held until her death", the statement read.

The statement added that the deceased in August 1997, having demonstrated leadership, was given additional responsibility as the market leader (Iya Egbe Oloja) Kosofe Local Government Market Women and Men Association by late Alhaja Chief (Mrs) Abibatu Mogaji, the President General and Iyaloja of Lagos.

"She was a functional community leader and a distinguished grassroots mobiliser. She impacted positively on her communities in Araromi and Iperu Remo in Ogun State. She had some awards to her credit including award of Grassroots Leadership in 2021, certificate of merit, Egbe Akekoo Ijinle Yoruba Yunifasiti Eko in 1995, Certificate of merit by Christian Youth Circle of Nigeria 1988 and she participated in the First Better Life Fair in Abuja", the statement reads

The statement added that the late Iyaloja General of Kosofe is survived by children, grandchildren and great grand, and prayed for her soul to rest in perfect peace adding that burial arrangement has been scheduled for May 24, 2025 at the Marquee, Radio Lagos, Opposite Coca Cola Depot, Ikeja, Lagos State.