By Sola Lebile
As we mourn her painful and irreparable loss, while I visited the deceased’s husband the other day, commiserating with other mourners, I felt a loss of fragrance there at the home. And in a flash, images of certain encounters with her surfaced like a symphony. ‘She has gone!’, I shivered.
Olori Helen Olametan Olanrewaju Nana (fondly called Mama Bose) was a woman of plenteous virtues: neat, simple, decent, honourable. What’s more? She was intelligent, enterprising, straightforward, and reserved. Noted to be at peace with herself and everyone; never running with the crowd but always minding her own business such that she cut an exciting picture of a hardworking, caring, and industrious woman.
Indeed, she was able to burn the candle at both ends, balancing her work life with household responsibilities in a laudable manner. A hands-on mother to the children, and those ones who lived with them at one point or the other. She nursed and safeguarded all to their adulthood. We missed her greatly.
Trader, teacher, urbane, homemaker, well- traveled and devout Christian, Mama Helen Olanrewaju, the second child from a large family was born in Zion Pepe (Ilaje Local Government) to Pa Jonathan Ogunfemi and Madam Martha Ogunfemi (nee Ojatuwase) on February 10, 1943. Her parents were notable traders and farmers, transporting fish and farm produce from Ilaje to Ejirin and Ebute-Ero in Lagos and bringing back needed consumables like provisions and toiletries to Zion Pepe to sell. That way, Mama learned to trade and work hard as a young girl.
Young Olarewaju desirous of educational attainment, completed her Primary Six in 1960 and proceeded to Modern Secondary School passing out in 1963 with good grades. She was an excellent athlete in her school days, participated in various sports competitions, and won many laurels to the delight of the people.
Prior to her admission into Modern school, she participated in the Miss Ilaje beauty contest which took place at Aiyetoro in 1960, and came first, thereby emerging as the first-ever Miss Ilaje. She became a folk heroine with the award. Miss Ola met her husband, Prince R.O. Nana, son of Ojomo of Ugbo kingdom at Zion Pepe where he was teaching at that time. The union was solemnized in 1964.
Her husband’s career as a teacher made them traverse many communities in Ilaje and Ogun State. They include Abigi, Makun-omi, Ijebu-Ode as well as Oroto, among others. Mrs. Nana taught briefly at Holy Trinity Primary school, Igbokoda before returning to school to become a trained teacher.
She was at the Ansar Ud Deen Teachers Training College at Otta, Ogun State in 1973 where she obtained her Grade 2 teaching certificate in 1976. She then taught briefly at St Pauls’ R.C.M Primary School, Ondo, in Ondo state before retiring into private business. She settled down in Igbokoda after her husband’s retirement from the service.
She had traveled far and wide and lived in Canada with her children for a couple of years. In her lifetime, we saw a uniquely deep and unbreakable bond displayed in the family largely occasioned by her steadfast support that never wavered.
She died in January 2023.
Mama Helen Olametan Olanrewaju Nana, while on this Planet earth demonstrated a life ever simple, ever impactful, ever zealous for God.
PS.
Mama Helen Olametan Olanrewaju Nana will be buried this week Saturday at Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
