By Vincent Akindele

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since Mama Rachael Omotola Kwadjo-Morakinyon left us on June 18. This great woman lives on in our hearts despite her departure to the great beyond. She was a mother to many of us who were privileged to cross her path. I’m honoured to present her virtues and enduring legacies as lessons to the world.

I became an “adopted” son to Mama Kwadjo-Morakinyo, figuratively speaking, after meeting her eldest son, Roland Morakinyo at African Church Grammar School Apata, Ibadan Remedial Classes. Roland’s captivating personality, marked by his fair complexion, distinctive features, and warm smile, drew me to him. I admired his charm, while he appreciated my academic dedication and intellectual curiosity. We formed a strong bond, becoming close friends by choice, a friendship that has endured over time.

Mama’s magnanimity was truly remarkable. Roland often invited me to share meals with him and his family. One memorable occasion, a few friends joined us for foofoo and melon-vegetable soup. When the soup ran out, Roland quickly fetched the family’s pot and poured the remaining soup for us. Just as he did this, Mama arrived from work. I expected her to scold Roland for what might be seen as impolite behaviour. Instead, she expressed concern that the soup had finished and kindly asked if we were satisfied with the meal. This display of kindness and generosity has left a lasting impression on me.

Mama was enthusiastically accommodating and compassionate. She warmly welcomed me and other friends of her children into their home, particularly showing me special attention probably because of my situation then, at a tender age, living without my parents—or our shared roots, as I’m from Idogun via Owo, her hometown. Her home was also a haven for relatives like Sade, who later became an NTA newscaster, Olumide, and the beautiful ‘Aunty’ Derin. In fact, under her guidance, many individuals received valuable support and developed their potential, achieving greater heights.

Mama Kwadjo-Morakinyo possessed an admirable entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness. Beyond her passion for knitting as a pastime, she notably contributed to the family income by commercially producing foofoo, a staple African food, showcasing her dedication to her family’s well-being.

It is interesting to note that Mama was an effective and result oriented nation builder. Her being a trained teacher reflected in the upbringing and lives of her children who succeeded immensely in their academic pursuits and careers. Besides, they took up leadership roles wherever they find themselves. For instance, my friend, Roland won a keenly contested election and emerged, the Students’ Union President of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State.

Mama was an exemplary Christian mother, a caring wife and virtuous woman who intentionally trained her children in the way of the Lord. Little wonder, her eldest son, my bosom friend is a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Her two daughters, Doyin and Bimbo are co-pastors with their husbands in the RCCG.

Mama Rachael Omotola Kwadjo-Morakinyo (née Aladejebi) was born on October 10, 1945, in Owo, Ondo State. Her educational journey began at St. Andrew’s Primary School, Owo, followed by St. Louis Secondary Modern School, Owo (1959-1961). She later obtained a Grade II Teacher’s Certificate from St. Luke’s College, Molete, Ibadan (1980), and an Associateship Certificate in Education (ACE) from the University of Ibadan (1986).

Mama Kwadjo was diligent and committed in her teaching career and served meritoriously in different capacities. Her teaching career spanned over three decades. She started as a temporary teacher at IDC Adifa (Ibadan Less City) in 1977. After completing her Grade II Teacher’s Certificate, she was appointed as a Class Teacher and served at various schools which included Islamic Mission Primary School, Omi Abidogun, Ibadan (1977-1982); St. James’s Primary School, Oke Bola, Ibadan (1982-1994); Ratibi Moslem School, Molete, Ibadan (1994-2001); and St. Michael’s Primary School II, Apata, Ibadan (2002-2006).

She voluntarily retired on December 31, 2006, after 30 years of dedicated service.

Though Mama Kwadjo-Morakinyo is no longer with us physically, her spirit and legacy live on in our hearts. Her selflessness, kindness, and dedication to her family, church, community, and humanity continue to inspire us.

*Akindele, a seasoned journalist and media practioner, writes from Ibadan.*

Tanker drivers in Lagos State say they will stop loading petroleum products on Monday, claiming they cannot afford N12,500 per truck for the E-Call Up system on the Lekki-Epe Corridor.

Recently, the Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, said the E-Call Up system was designed to regulate the movement of articulated vehicles and tankers accessing the corridor, thereby promoting orderly traffic flow and preventing the kind of gridlock previously experienced in the Apapa area.

However, the tanker drivers, under the aegis of the National Association of Road Transport Owners, said they could only pay N2,500 per truck.

In a brief interview with our correspondent on Sunday, NARTO President Yusuf Othman said the association was still in talks with the Lagos State Government to allow its members to pay N2,500 per truck instead of N12,500.

“For now, we are still negotiating with the Lagos State Government. The N12,500 is too high. We recommended N2,500 from the beginning. Let’s see how it goes and if we can reach an amicable resolution. But if the government does not agree, our boys will not go and load tomorrow,” Othman said.

Reacting, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, said the N12,500 was not going into government coffers.

According to Musa, the money was for the use of the facility built for the drivers in the Lekki axis to avert gridlocks and environmental pollution.


He added that the facility was built by a private investor and said the union and the drivers should try to obey rules and regulations to prevent the Lekki-Epe corridor from turning into the old Apapa road.

Angry youths on Sunday stormed the Wurukum food basket roundabout to protest the alleged killing of scores of residents by suspected herdsmen in Yelwata, in Benue State.

The protesters converged on the Wurukum food basket roundabout Makurdi as early as 8 am to demand action over the alleged killing on Saturday in Yelwata.

They were later joined by a social media influencer, Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.


Speaking to journalists, one of the protesters, Solomon Amande, said Benue youths were angry at the deafening silence of President Bola Tinubu, and the governor of Benue State despite the killing of children, women, and the elderly.

An attempt by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode, to address the protesters was resisted as they told him to tell the governor, Hyacinth Alia, to come personally to address them.

They were later confronted by armed policemen and soldiers who attempted to stop them, leading to an escalation and the use of tear gas at the protesters.


However, the defiant protesters said they would resist any intimidation, calling on the President and the governor to take action.

The protest came amid incessant attacks that have resulted in the deaths of innocent people across the state.

Last Saturday, armed men, suspected to be herders invaded Yelwata, leaving scores of residents feared dead.