Abigail Oladoyin Aduke was born on August 17th, 1958 into the family of Late Pa J G Ekunnrin of Sanganmo Compound, Oke-Ode Land in Kwara State and Late Mrs Grace Oredola Ekunnrin from Atosa Compound in Iresi, Osun State.
She lived with her mother and her other siblings, her elder brother, now Chief Oludaisi Aina the Asiwaju of Iresi land, her immediate younger brother now Eesa Oladosu Ekunnrin, Eesa of Oke-Ode Land (Head of the Kingmakers’ Council), twin brothers Otunba Taiye Ekunnrin (Baba Insurance) and Mr Kehinde Ekunnrin also an insurance manager. They all lived at Oke-Ode, Isanlu Isin and Ekanmeje between 1958 and 1965 when they suddenly lost their mother in 1965.
After the death of their mother at Ekanmeje, Oladoyin and her immediate younger brother Eesa Oladosu Ekunnrin were temporarily moved to Ado-Ekiti to live with their father, and later moved to Oke-Ode where they both attended ECWA Primary School, Oke-Ode. Within the same year, they moved to Mushin, Lagos until 1966. They were again moved from Mushin to Badia in Lagos to live with their paternal Uncle Baba Idowu and his wife Iya Idowu due to their father’s incessant trips in and outside the country as an alternative medical practitioner. The twins were taken to Akure to live with their maternal grandmother.
In Badia, at their tender age of 8 and 6 respectively, Yeye oge Oladoyin and Eesa Oladosu went through tougher lifestyle where they were made to serve more like hirelings, street-trading cooked food from Badia to Ebute Metta to Oyingbo, Iddo, part of Lagos Island, Apapa back to Badia. They would usually walk from Badia to Ebute Metta a distance of over 10 kilometres to fetch firewood for cooking. Her brother Eesa Oladosu was also signed into a 20-year long welding training while living on just one cloth each through the year and a meal a day.
In 1969, they were rescued and moved to Omu-Aran in Kwara State to live with their father and many stepmothers. In Omu-Aran, Oladoyin attended ECWA Primary School, Agamo. Life was good at Omu-Aran where she developed interest in home economics, which later laid her foundation in fashion designing.
Abigail Oladoyin attended the Teachers‘ College in Okene (now in Kogi State) and was made a Class Prefect between 1977 – 1979). It was there in 1978 she met and fell in love with a young Civil Engineer, Owolabi Onasanya, who was working with the Federal Ministry of Works constructing the Okene/Ajaokuta highway. They wedded in 1979.
After her wedding ceremony in Lagos, Oladoyin lived with her husband in Ilorin and later at Egayin village then in Kwara State now Kogi State because of the proximity to her husband’s various highway projects. Her love for Education, made her proceed to the Ogun State College of Education (now Tai Solarin College of Education) between 1981- 1984. She was made a Treasurer and later the Students Union Leader between 1983-1984.
The family later moved to Kaduna where she traded in various commodities. She however, started a trend blazing fashion school called Abisan Fashion Institute along with a television program on fashion and style, which was a huge success.
In 1997 Oladoyin Aduke relocated to the U.K with her children where she successfully brought them up with the fear of God and high standard education. Whilst in the U.K, Oladoyin single handedly supported her children through their studies and career aspirations. She took up tailoring as a means to support her family, and as she did in Nigeria, excelled in her business endeavours. Despite all the challenges faced, her children never went a day without food, clothing or shelter, a true testament to her dedication, hard work and effort as a mother.
Oladoyin was a wise and caring woman and as such, she also cared, counseled and mentored many other children, including opening her heart and house to friends in need and family members.
In July 2014, Oladoyin witnessed the birth of her first grandson Leo Emmanuel Onasanya. In 2016, she travelled to Nigeria to celebrate the wedding ceremony of her daughter Oluwayemisi Onasanya and later that year to care for her second grandchild and first granddaughter Taraoluwa Oluwatamilore Towolawi. She was actively present and participated in caring for both her grandchildren in their early days, a duty that brought her so much joy, happiness and contentment.
Abigail Oladoyin Aduke loved the Lord. She served in his vineyard in various capacities. She also went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem in August 2013. A feat she cherished and encouraged Christians to experience.
A mother-in-Israel to all that crossed her path. A prayerful mother, a forgiving heart and uncompromising disciplinarian.
Today, she is survived by four wonderful children, Babatunde, Oluwayemisi, Ayodeji and Itunu, a daughter-in-law (Adeola), a son-in-law (Olanrewaju Towolawi), a handsome grandson (Leo Onasanya) and a beautiful granddaughter (Princess Taraoluwa Towolawi).
