Obituary: Princess Janet Olufunke Adebayo (1934—2025)

38
Spread the love

By Ralph Agbana.

Daughter of late Oba of Egbe (Elegbe of Egbeland), His Royal Majesty, late Oba Aina Owojaiye, Princess (Mrs) Janet Olufunke Adebayo, famously known as Funke Omo Oba Owojaiye, died recently. She was aged 91 years. The burial ceremony will be held between Thursday, October 2nd and Friday, October 3rd, 2025, in her hometown, Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area, Kogi State.

Janet Olufunke Adebayo was born into the Royal family of Oba Aina Owojaiye in 1934. Her mother, Aya Oba (Queen) Oniwarun Owojaiye, of blessed memory, was also a Princess from Ayanyin, Okedisin, Egbe. Her grandmother was from Ijagan, Egbe.

Funke Omo Oba was the third child of her mother’s five children, following immediately after her late brother, Prince (Chief) Julius Ajibola Owojaiye, the first Aare of Egbeland. Her surviving siblings are Princess (Mrs) Abejide Alegbe, her older sister, Prince Adebayo Owojaiye and Prince (Dr) Gbenga Owojaiye, her younger brothers.

A self-made woman, in spite of her rich royal background, Mama Funke Omo Oba was the dote of her father—extremely fond of—hence, she learnt at the feet of her father. She could not venture into the wider world until the demise of her father in October 1955.Thereafter she learnt fashion design under Madam Lizzy Morafa, also of blessed memory. Funke Omo Oba was married to late Bolaji Owa (Baba Remi). She later got married to Mr Adebayo, also of blessed memory. She returned to Egbe to— take care of her mother, who died aged 94 years.
Funke was neither the first daughter of Oba Owojaiye nor the last daughter, yet she solely carried the special epitome and eponym, FUNKE OMO OBA, all on her own, all on her head.

A devout Christian, she was an active member of the Itunu Group of the 6th ECWA Church, Egbe. She gave generously to the poor and the needy. Funke Omo Oba was a beautiful woman, pretty, elegant, tall, fine, kind, assured, proud of her royal lineage, and she was of excellent comportment. Her love for family and humanity was legendary. Indeed, her loving and caring character will forever linger in the memory of her immediate and extended families and all whose paths crossed hers. She did not seek her own; she was not easily provoked. She thought
no evil, but rejoiced in the truth always. Above all, she bore all things and endured all things. She used to be mistakenly called Mama Olugbenga because of her fondness for her youngest brother, Prince (Dr) Olugbenga Owojaiye. Their resemblance is striking. The Royal family wrote in a tribute: “You sacrificed a lot for us, and your impact on us is tremendous. We will miss your smiling face, your generous nature, and your big heart. You lived a life worthy of emulation. We are proud of Mama Funke’s high level of commitment to God, family and humanity; and her doggedness and sacrificial love”.

She is survived by four children : Prince Remi Bolaji, Princess (Mrs) Fadekemi Johnson- Abejide, Princess (Mrs) Abosede Ajayi, Prince Toba Adebayo, popularly known as “Belushi”; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Life is a beautiful journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. Her splendid journey of life took her from Egbe, her place of birth, to Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, and back to Egbe, where she died. What a beautiful journey of life for her.

May her beautiful soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.


Spread the love