Ariba Matriarch, Margaret Olufunmilayo Finally Laid To Rest

It was a day of mixed feelings as family and friends converged at Atan cemetery and Lagos NUT house to bid eternal farewell to the matriarch of Ariba’s family, Mrs Mrs Margaret Olufunmilayo.

The event was tinged with a twin note of delight and despair. Delight, on the one hand, in the sense that Mrs Margaret lived a wonderful, purposeful and illustrious life and to have live for over eight decades in Nigeria in a fine fashion is not a mean feat. Despair, on the other hand, as the realisation of departing from a loved one forever, never to be seen again, except maybe in dreams, began to set in for the ones the octogenarian left behind.

Mrs Olufunmilayo died on September 26th 2020 at the age of 83. She was interred at the Atan cemetery today, 13th October 2020.

There was strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols and health guidelines throughout the burial arrangement, from the solemn church services to the sordid internment and boisterous reception.

About Mrs Margaret Olufunmilayo Ariba

Mrs Margaret Olufunmilayo Ariba was born in Abeokuta on 21st January, 1937 to the family of Chief Ebenezer Famuyiwa and Madam comfort Aderiyike Famuyiwa (Nee kukoyi ) of Itoko quarters, Abeokuta, both Ogun State. Her father was a tax collector who worked at the tax office while her mother was into petty trading. She was the first child of her parents. Mama’s birth ushered in good fortune for her dad hence she was named Öluwafunmilayo” (God has given me joy).

Mama Olufunmilayo Ariba attended St. Peters Primary School Itesin in Abeokuta, Ogun State. She later went on to St. Agnes Catholic Teachers Training College Maryland, Lagos.

On 19th June, 1959 she got married to late Chief Anthony Adebayo Ariba and together they had six children.

Mama taught in Ado-Odo for several years before proceeding to the United Kingdom in 1962 for a program in Catering and Hotel Management at the Birmingham Catering School and Hotel Management, United Kingdom.

Upon her arrival from the United Kingdom, she established Adeolu restaurant together with her husband. In 1964, Mrs Margaret joined Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA). She served at the Lagos and Warri Ports before retiring in 1985 as a Senior Staff Canteen Supervisor. Upon retirement, mama was into catering business, buying and selling of household items before she established a pre-nursery school. She was passionate about early childhood education been the foundation for a child’s success in life. Children under her care proceeded to their primary education well-grounded and able to read and write as well as speak confidently.

Mama joined Deeper Life Church in 1991 where she gave her life to Jesus. She served as a volunteer in the children’s church for many years. She was invited to the Lagos branch of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) where she studied the Bible and was baptised as a disciple in year 1995. She served the Sarah Mothers Ministry as a faithful and devoted disciple till her death.

Her home served as a temple court and bible discussion venue for so many years, where brothers and sisters of the faith gathered for night vigils and many other church activities like the neighbourhood service during the time of unrest in the country. Her home was always thrown open for all in need of accommodation.

She loved God and wasn’t ashamed to profess her faith in public. She looked for ways to minister the gospel through her lifestyle, written encouragement notes, text messages, phone calls, visitations, gifts etc.

Mama selflessly served for years as the treasurer of the landlord /tenant association comprising of 4-5 streets within the neighbourhood where she lived. She was also in charge of coordinating and monitoring the activities of the security operatives. She gave out food during the Christmas period to the neighbouring houses and Hausa security guards on the street. This has endeared the hausa people to named her mama…. and always ready to render any help or assistance to her

She believed in hard work, respect, honesty, integrity and obedience which she inculcated in her children and people around her. She wouldn’t let failure knock her to the ground. She was consistent, committed, punctual and a disciplinarian. These attributes earned her various titles such as: Caterer Mrs, Mama Teacher, Counsellor, Evangelist, Disciplinarian, Sisi Boda, Mama Lesson…the list goes on. She also assumed various roles in the lives of all she met so she could be there for them.

She was a devoted wife and loving mother to all, not only her biological children but anyone that came under her care. Her home has always been a succour to all extended family members and non-family anytime they needed a place to stay while in Lagos.