Princess Mopelola Olufunke Adebisi (Akinpelu) Abayomi

the late Chief Moses Adeotan Akinpelu and late Mrs. Abeke Akinpelu, a descendant of Abalabi

Royal Family in Abeokuta Ogun State. Mopelola was the first of her father and the only surviving

child of her mother. At the age of 7, she lost her mother and was raised by her father and

extended family. She attended Abalabi Central School in Abalabi, Agege Central School and

Owu day school in Itaiyalode Abeokuta, Ogun state until 1951 achieving her first school learning

certificate. Even though women were encouraged to marry early, her father encouraged her to

further her education and she later attended Baptist Missionary School and Baptist Teachers

Training College from 1953-1956. She believed that the education she received at the

missionary school helped nurture young girls to face the world and succeed. She was posted to

Surulere Baptist School in Ojuelegba Lagos State where she lived with her mom’s sister late

Titilayo Ogunrinde, where she was blessed to witness the birth of Olaseinde Ogunrinde and later

transferred to Araromi Baptist School in Obalende, Lagos Island.

Mopelola met and married Sanni Abayomi and they had identical twins. They passed

away 7 days after their birth on July 7th, 1958. In 1959, Mopeloa and her husband rejoiced after

giving birth to Moyosola. In 1961 she and her husband left Nigeria to live in England to further

their education. While living in London her husband studied law at the University of London

while she studied insurance at Holborn College of Law and Business in London. During that

time they had two sons named Ayoola and Adewale. 10 years later she returned to Nigeria.

After her husband passed his bar exam in Lagos, Nigeria he established his Law firm and

Mopelola worked briefly at Imona Russel Insurance Company. Mopelola and her husband later

established their own insurance broker company named Sanni and Company. She was the

executive director of this company which was very successful and included international clients

such as Techo Exports who built the National Theater, Eko Holiday Inn, and the national oil pipeline

from Warri to Lagos. International clients also included a Russian company named

Tiajpromexport, who constructed Aljaokuta Steel Company in present-day Koja State. She also

managed her brown hotel in Ajaokuta, providing accommodations for the steel industry. Another

notable accomplishment was the establishment of Omolabake Enterprise named in honor of her

first daughter Moyosola Omolabake Abayomi.

In 1995, her world turned upside down when she suddenly lost her soulmate of 38 years.

She then retired and relocated to the United States to be with her daughter and help raise her

grandchildren, Elizabeth, Priscilla, and Samantha. Mopelola was blessed to witness her

grandchildren's accomplishments and witness the marriage of Elizabeth and Samantha.

Mopelola was a woman of the people. She raised her siblings, and cousins, and helped

support the educational and professional advancements of many people in her community. She

loved to travel, dance, cook, watch soap operas, and politics. She was a lover of fashion and

had a generous heart. She was raised in a Christian home and attended Christian schools which

helped her develop a Christ-centered worldview and a heart for loving and serving God.

Mopelola was a wife, mother, grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and GG to many both in

Nigeria and abroad. She was spiritual and dedicated to serving God in her remaining years. She

was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Holy Church of God in

Edina, Minnesota. In 2006, she was ordained Lady Evangelist at the Holy Church of God and

was also honored with a doctorate degree in December 2019 by Christ Evangelical International

Bible and Seminaries in Lagos. In Lagos her home church is Olorunsogo Baptist Church

Okesenya Papa Ajao. Her first church was an African Church Abalabi. She lived with her

daughter and son-in-law Dr. Samuel Momah for 27 years. She departed this earth deeply

dedicated to God. She was found sitting in peace in a prayer position with her bible next to her,

an indication that even in transition her love of God was undeniable. She taught her children and

those around her the value of prayer and gratitude.

Her memory was like an elephant. She remembered everyone’s birthday. Every year she

would celebrate her siblings, children, grandchildren, and those she cared about whether she

was present or not. She will forever be known as a wonderful cook, famously known for her

jollof rice. She loved to sing and dance and her joyous spirit was contagious to those she

encountered.

Mopelola lived a very expansive life growing her community around the world. She has

influenced and touched the lives of so many people and her legacy lives on in all the hearts of

those who experienced her presence. Her commitment and love of God were admirable and her

memory brings joy to the world to those who have been blessed to witness her grace. May we

continue to honor the life and legacy of Princess Mopelola Olufunke Adebisi Abayomi, wife,

mother, sister, aunty, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and mentor to many.