SOCIETY MATRIARCH, OLA ADEOLA BURIED AMIDST TEARS AND SORROW

On Monday, December 29, 2014, Our Saviour's Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan. Lagos, wore a grim look. The congregation looked funereal. The occasion was the funeral service of Olayiwola Oyinkamsola Adeola, the celebrated society matriarch and prominent lawyer, who was murdered by her male staff on Saturday, 13 December 2014.  
Amidst palpable tears, sorrow and wailing, the remains of Adeola were later committed to Mother Earth at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi. The committal was a very private ceremony, as only her children and siblings were in attendance. The ELITES gathered that the decision was at the prompting of her family. The Christian Wake had preceded the burial ceremony, on Sunday 28, December at Oniru Estate Millenium Homes, Lekki. 

Olayiwola Oyinkansola Adeola was born to Ebenezer Babasanya

Craig and BaiGraig in England on September 10, 1952, the first of seven children. 
She attended the renowned St Anne's,School, Ibadan from 1964-1971. She obtained a Bachelor of Law (LL.B, BL) degree from the University of Lagos in 1975 and was called to the bar in 1976. 
After completing her National Youth Service at Auchi Polytechnic, Adeola returned to Ibadan to work with Chief Olisa Chukwura's legal firm between 1977 and 1979

 She joined the Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation in 1979 as a legal officer and a senior manager; and rose to the position of Deputy General Manager/Corporation Secretary and Legal Adviser. Adela retired in2003. Thereafter, she was invited to serve the Governing Board of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom till 2004. 

Adeola once held the position of Secretary General of the Africa Insurance Law Association (AILA) and the Nigeria Insurance Law Association (NILA). She was a member of the International Bar Association, (IBA), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the International Association of Insurance Law (AIDA), the World Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and the legal committees of Nigerian Insurance Association (NIA). 

Adela also served on organizing committees on international conferences organised by various bodies such as West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA), Federation of Afro-Asian Insurers and Re-insurers (F.A.I.R), African Insurance Organisation (OIA), and the Nigerian Law Association (NILA). 
She was appointed as a Director on the Board of Equity Assurance Plc. in 2007 till her passing. While there, Adeola was the

Chairperson of the Board of Establishment, Human Resources and Governance Committee, and was also a member of the Board Technical, Risk Management and Compliance Committee, where she brought get wealth of experience in Legal and Compliance issues to bear. 

Fondly called 'Ola, Layiwola, O.L.A. or Lailai by those who were close to her Adeola was warm and very loving. She got married on August 2, 1980 to Abayomi Adeola. The marriage was blessed with two wonderful children, Enahoro and Iseme Adeola. 

Adeola was suddenly snatched away on December 13, 2014 and her death has left a huge void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Ever smiling, affectionate, graceful, fun-loving, generous, brilliant, creative, loving and nurturing, Adeola was a great mother to her sons and a cheerful friend of many. She always had a twinkle in her eyes. It was a joy to be around her because she always knew how to spread laughter. She loved to read and thoroughly enjoyed traveling. 

Adeola served God, spreading the love of Jesus, especially in recent years. She is survived by her two sons, Enahoro and Iseme, her siblings, Laide, Kehinde, Taiwo, Funlola, Jide and Biola, nieces and nephews, grand-nephew and niece and many friends.