DEACONESS GRACE ADUKE ROTIMI BURIED IN STYLE IN KOGI STATE

The family of late Deaconess Grace Aduke Rotimi gave their mum a befitting burial a few days ago in Ekirin-Adde, Ijumu LGA, Kogi State. She was aged 73. Deaconess Grace Aduke Ajayi Rotimi (nee Makanjuola) was born on the 9th of September to Ilaga clan of Otun-Adde, Ekintin Adde.

Her father was Chief Pa Cornelius, Makanjuola popularly known as Chief Olumo, (the Chief Hunter then), and Madam Lydia Omojarobi Makanjuola. She was the last born of 10, among whom are: (1) Late Evangelist John Durosaiye (2) Late Madam Omopariola Ayeniko, (3) Late Madam Ajileye (4) Late Madam Okodunmi Mary Olorunmola (5) Late Chief Samuel Kolawole Makanjuola (6) Late Mr. Zacheus Makanjuola (7) Late Mr. Tade Makanjuola (8) Madam Comfort Tiyemiro Ibiteye and (9) Late Madam Aina Hambolu.

 

Deaconess Grace Rotimi had a passion for the things of God. She loved singing and praying and was also a strong Prayer Warrior. She also loved philanthropic gestures which she did on a regular basis. She was graciously ordained as a Deaconess in the year 1987 in Ilorin at the Resolution Church of Christ (RCC).

She attended all her grandchildren’s naming and marriages, she was a true epitome of a mother who gave her all for the betterment and upliftment of all and sundry.

She inculcated and demonstrated love and togetherness among her children. It was that bond of love, that informed the decision for all the children and grandchildren to always celebrates Xmas/New Year with their parents in the family house in Lokoja till the very end.

She and her husband had a fun-filled & colourful celebration of their 50 years marriage anniversary, precisely on 15 April 2018, which was witnessed with joy of parenthood. To her, she confessed to saying she was fulfilled to be celebrated while alive.

She is blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren who all came together to give her a befitting burial, though painful but thanking God almighty for not making her a “CONCERNED” Mother.

In summary the family dedicated this, in the word of God, in the Book of 2 Timothy 4:7-8 which clearly says: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course and I have kept the faith. There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness..”

The family prayed to Almighty God to grant her eternal rest, as they are convinced that after a worthy life, well spent with love, we would all transit to glory, resting in the bosom of God Almighty.

 

Lets tell you about her schooling. Deaconess Grace Rotimi started her primary school education in Baptist Day Primary School Ekinrin-Adde. Upon completion, she followed her elder sister (Late Madam Omopariola Ayenoto) to Wawa in Kanji now in Kwara State, where she worked briefly as a salesgirl before proceeding with her educational career. She attended the School of Health Technology and other courses which facilitated her working in the health sector (Hospitals). She also attended Staff Development Centre, Ilorin as a Civil Servant.

 

She got married to her husband, Pa Johnson Olu Rotimi who coincidentally was her primary school teacher, on the 14th of April 1968. They both lived together for 52 years and 10 months, before her glorious exit to the great beyond on 4th February 2021.

They started their marital journey, as a young couple at Baptist Primary School Ekinrin-Adde, before proceeding to Kano State in 1971, after a while, her husband, proceeded to the Federal College of Education in Oyo State to study Special Education, and upon completion did his NYSC programme at Christ School Addo Ekiti. played a vital role in taking care of the home front as a virtuous wife and mother. She also worked with Dalla Orthopedic Hospital in Kano. They later relocated to Ilorin, Kwara State due to the Maitasane riot of 1980 in Kano. At Ilorin, she worked with the General Hospital, Ilorin and later at a parastatal known then as MAMSER in Kwara State.

All through her working career, she equally had a strong passion for business and that led her to take up the Canteen of the Federal Ministry of Works in Ilorin where she operated a very successful food business.

 

Upon the creation of Kogi State, she relocated to Lokoja with her family. In Lokoja, her catering business evolved into something bigger. Her catering business enjoyed high patronage from workers that participated in part-time classes with Kogi State Polytechnic on a weekend basis.

In 1991, after the creation of Kogi State, she was posted to General Hospital Kabba. Being a virtuous woman, she supported her husband as they both trained all their children academically up to graduate level.