CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF
CHIEF MRS. V.A. FAGBEMI

About the events

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About Her

Mrs Victoria Ajayi Fagbemi was born on the 2^nd of August 1932 to James Ademuwagun and Oke Ademuwagun in Amo Quarters of Erusu Akoko. She was the first of four siblings. Both parents unfortunately died in her childhood years; her father died in 1945 and her mother died shortly after in 1948. She was subsequently raised by her Uncle, Abe Fulani. Her childhood years were typical of that time, including education, Christian upbringing and the usual tutoring of a young girl into womanhood.

She worked briefly as a teacher after completion of middle school before she had to follow the path of a soon-to-be wife of a priest. This led her to attend Vining College in Akure, Ondo State, where she received training to become a Vicar’s wife. All this happened whilst her soon-to-be husband, Late Rt. Revd. Seth Oni Fagbemi was in Melville Hall, Ibadan, training to become a priest

She got married to her sweetheart on the 30^th of December 1958 and started the journey of a Vicar’s wife until she departed this mortal life.

Noteworthy to mention that in full submission to the call of God to serve in the Vineyard in support of her husband’s ministry, as a leader of women in the church and most importantly the role of a wife and mother, she dedicated her life completely to these causes without engaging in any paid career. She did however put her hands to trading and animal husbandry from time to time.

On the 3^rd of August, 1987, she became the first President of Osun Diocesan Mothers Union and Womens Guild and led in this role vigorously until both she and her husband retired in 2000.

Retirement did not however mean an end to the service of God. She became passionately involved in the home church, St Thomas’ Church in Erusu Akoko where she was installed as Iya Ijo until her call to glory.

All through her life, she preached and lived a life of love for all and an open door policy. It would be a tasking assignment to recall the number of people that she cared for and brought up; both blood relations as well as complete strangers.

Mrs Victoria Ajayi Fagbemi was truly one called to serve in God’s Vineyard until her death on the 7^th of January, 2025.

Tributes

Children

Writing this tribute is a gut wrenching experience. To accept the reality that encounter with you now can only be in dreams is painful yet gladdening because you lived your life with full dedication to the calls of wife, mother and servant of God. You did all these to a ripe old age and you welcomed death when it came knowing fully well that you had run your race and ready to receive the crown.

On the 2^nd of August, 1932, a star was released in the heavenly realms to blaze throughout this mortal world with such a brightening light that shone through everything in its path and left an illumination for all in its wake to see, That star was you, our most wonderful mother.

You not only brought us into this world but gave us life and gave your life to us. We cannot fully comprehend the sacrifices you made for us but we somehow are dazed by it.

You were an Angel that lived among us. A gift from God above. You showered us with kindness and love. You cherished every moment with the man who was your life, walking hand in hand together to fulfil the responsibilities of parenthood. We remember your saying – both you and our father must always ensure to give us the best of your abilities as we are here by your invitation and not of our own choosing. This has been a guiding principle for us in building our families.

The strict upbringing you gave us and the indoctrination to love all without any semblance of prejudice has stayed with us and made navigating life easy. In prayer you encouraged us, built us up, taught us and held sway for us spiritually.

You are our hero for so many reasons and you are the best mother we could know.

Our mother and matriarch, we bid you farewell and look to the day when we shall meet again.

Rest on Mama Olu.

The Rt. Revd. Dr. Abraham O. Akinlalu

A TRIBUTE BY THE RT. REVD. DR. ABRAHAM O. AKINLALU AN ADOPTED SON OF CHIEF VICTORIA A FAGBEMI,THE IYA IJO OF ST. THOMAS’ ANG.CHURCH, ERUSU, AKOKO DIOCESE.

I joined the Holy family of late Rt.Revd. Seth Oni and Chief Mrs.Victoria A Fagbemi in 1969. l brought a letter of temporary appointment from the Provost of the Cathedral, the Very Revd. Isaac Bamidele Akintemi (later Bishop of Ijebu Diocese), to the Archdeacon of Ondo, Ven. Seth Oni Fagbemi (later Bishop of Osun Diocese). l was working as a Church Teacher at St. Lukes Church, Sapele (later Cathedral of Sapele Diocese). l sat for the entrance examination and l was selected to Vining Christian Leadership Training Centre, Akure. We were to resume April 1969.

My appointment was for four months. The Archdeacon posted me to Emmanuel Church, Aiyeyemi, Ondo as an Evangelist and a Church Teacher. I started the following Monday. I worked at All Saints Secretariat each day from Monday to Saturday, and Sundays for the Sunday School before the morning worship. For the evening worship, one Sunday was used to teach hymns from the Hymnbook.

I soon discovered some Christian virtues from Mama Victoria the Archdeacons wife. I needed these virtues if l wanted to be successful in the sacred ministry l have chosen. I wrote a letter to Mama to accept me as an adopted son in the family. I submitted the letter on a Saturday before leaving the office. On the following Monday, the sexton called me that Baba and Mama wanted to see me. Both of them interviewed me, after some minutes of counselling, they prayed earnestly for me. Mama felt much for me because l lost my biological mother at the age of six. After my acceptance as a son of the house, l became the Captain of the house. Anytime Daddy or Mummy or both of them travelled, l would come to sleep in the house to take care of the children. The relationship started in 1969 and continues till we children have imbibed the virtues of our mother and grandmother.

Among the virtues of our mother Chief Victoria included humility, kindness, compassion, generous, loving, faithfulness accommodating and selflessness. I remember vividly that Mama was weeping profusely when my father died in 1976, a year before l graduated from Immanuel College of Theology and Christian Education. On my behalf, she collected a lump sum of money to help me during my father’s burial.She was a mother to me indeed. She arranged for my wedding in 1977. Ven. Dr. Oye Fagbemi was our ring bearer, while Miss Yemisi Fagbemi was our little bride, and Miss Dupe Olowokure and Miss Dare Anike served as the brides maids.

Mama, we thank God that you have lived an exemplary life for young wives to emulate. With such a befitting burial, we bid you bye for now. We believe we shall meet at the feet of our Saviour Jesus Christ.