JOSHUA DADA writes on how a housewife suddenly died while the remains of her husband were being prepared to be taken to the mortuary in Osogbo, Osun State | Losing both parents on the same day has put me in much pain – Daughter
The harrowing event of January 8, 2026, left the Adegoke family wailing in disbelief and will continue to linger long in the minds of the Adegoke family of Erin-Osun, Osun State. As on every other day, the sun brightened the day on 8 January 2026. The illuminating light that propelled activities among the living was universal and embraced by Chief Adeyemi Olukayode Adegoke, who had fully recovered from an illness, and by Mrs Janet Mojirade Adegoke, who had no underlying disease record on that fateful day.
They were bubbling with life until later in the day when Chief Adeyemi Adegoke was said to have suddenly developed complications, during which he gave up the ghost in the hands of his lastborn, Adewale Adegoke, at home before he could be rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
It was gathered that, though apparently shocked by the sudden death of the father of the house, the immediate family members present at the scene contained and comported themselves. Both the young man and the mother started making calls to family members and friends while Mama braced herself and decided to take a brief shower before accompanying her husband to the mortuary.
According to Adewale, Mrs Adegoke took her bath and returned to the room to dress. By then, family members and sympathisers had begun to arrive. The grieving Adewale was, however, jolted when he felt his mother ought to have joined the people in the living room and decided to check on her in the room, only to find her on the floor.
He quickly raised the alarm, and people rushed into the room, instantly forgetting the passing of Chief Adegoke and focusing on how to revive Mama Ope, as she was fondly called. She was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors pronounced her ‘brought-in-dead’.
Her remains consequently landed in the mortuary before her heartthrob was brought in to join her!
The mood in the church was better captured by the Vicar of St Matthias Anglican Church, Erin Osun Ven. Kolawole Olaobaju, who in his sermon said “we are grieved, we are pained, we are demented, we are filled with sorrow, this saddens us, we are devastated, it is unprecedented”, but he quickly, in solemn voice, asked the congregation to rejoice because ”they shall soon meet to pass no more.”
Ven Olaobaju, who titled his sermon “Grief Not”, described Chief Adegoke as a man of honour and integrity who, he said, devoted his life to serving God and humanity while on the planet earth. “We are grieved that the twain passed on without any parting words to either the vicar or any of us”.
“However, we are comforted that they both lived their lives in the service to God and humanity. We witnessed and heard about their relentless determination to serve in God’s vineyard with the talents, zeal, and endowments God has given them.
“The vacuum they both left will be difficult to fill, but we are comforted that God has prepared an abode for them which far surpasses what they have here”, quoting John 14:1-4.
To the congregation, Ven. Olaobaju charged them to refrain from attributing the death of the couple to witches, wizards, enemies, a covenant between the deceased, or any form of attributions, but rather accept that death is inevitable and that God does not need the permission of anyone to take away his beloved anyway, any day, anywhere, and anyhow.
He added that they must add wisdom to their reactions to avoid sinning, because no mortal can understand everything, saying that God doesn’t do evil, the secret is with Him, and cautioned that it could be the turn of anybody and that nobody can query God.
Olaobaju admonished the three children of the deceased and their grandchildren to emulate the good works of their parents, and asked them to: “Have hope in Christ Jesus, face reality, I say, look around and face the reality of life, remember that your parents are special couple, sustain their legacy, your parents are rallying point in the family, church, community and the society at large, be brave and courageous because there shall be light at the end of the tunnel”
Speaking to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND with uncontrollable tears, the immediate junior brother of Chief Adegoke, Engr. Adebayo Adegoke, after the interment, said, “My brother meant much to me; he was my twin brother. Words cannot describe my grief, as you can see. I don’t know how much time it will take to heal; however, I find comfort in the good life he lived.”
Also speaking with pains, Elder Sola Olaniyan, an elderly relative of Chief Adegoke, said: “I still find it difficult to believe that ‘Kayode is gone, he and his wife were at the induction of my wife as Deaconess in our church recently. He was a pillar in our family, highly caring and concerned about the welfare of family members.”
In a joint tribute by the children, they remarked: “Though our hearts are heavy with grief, we take comfort in the knowledge that our loved one is now at peace. May their memory be a blessing to us all, and may their spirit continue to guide and inspire us. May they rest in the arms of love, surrounded by joy, peace, and happiness. May their legacy live on through the countless lives they touched, and may we strive to make them proud.”
The late Mrs Janet Mojirade Adegoke was a civil servant until her death. Her boss, Barrister Bukola Aderibigbe, has this to say: “Her death was a rude shock! Would I describe this as a duplicate of Romeo and Juliet? Mrs Adegoke was diligent, punctual, accountable, productive, effective, charitable, and full of life.
‘‘Why so soon, Mrs Adegoke, you left for your annual leave never to return. We take solace in the exemplary life you lived. May your beautiful soul and that of your loving husband I never knew rest in the blossom of the Lord”.
Opeyemi, their only daughter, said, “I stand carrying a burden that feels too heavy for one heart. Losing you both on the same day has left me with pain, responsibility, and a longing that never fades. I wonder how to walk this road without you, how to be strong when my strength came from you. Yet even in pain, I know you would want me to rise, to lead and to carry forward everything you taught me”.
Their granddaughter, Adegoke, in her tribute, wrote: “My grandpa was caring, kind, and full of joy. He always called me his ‘girlfriend’ and it made me special, he loves sports and was always happy talking about games. My grandma was full of life and loved to party, but she loved praying with all her heart. She was a true woman of God. She cared so much about my education.”
Various groups came to honour the departed couple, among them the Representative of the Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuf Omoloye, Oyagbodun II; the Elerin-in-Council; the University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA), Osogbo branch and beyond; Lions and Lionesses Abeokuta Branch; St Bananas Church, Osogbo; and numerous others.
Chief Adeyemi Olukayode Adegoke (JP), a retired career civil servant, was High Chief Aro of Erin Osun, Mayegun of St. Banabas Anglican Church, Osogbo, Branch President, UNAA, Osogbo Branch, until his demise. Mama Adegoke was a serving civil servant in the service of the Osun State government; she was the secretary of the Women Organisation and a Board member of Osogbo Archdeaconry, Osogbo, until her death.
Oba Yusuf Omoloye, Oyagbodun II, while speaking through Chief Taiwo Olawuyi, the Akede of Erin Osun, said Chief Adegoke, a member of Erin-Osun Progressive Union, contributed immensely to the growth and development of Erin-Osun. Oba Omoloye recounted the impacts of Adegoke on the provision of personal assistance to the indigenes of the community and his concern for the peace and prosperity of the Erin community. He referred to him as a community man.
Leadership news
