Muslim clerics, family and friends will gather in Ibadan, Oyo State, Monday, December 16, 2024, for special prayers and bid farewell to the late wife of former Oyo State Governor, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Olori Tinuade Mathilda Ladoja (nee Ayamolowo).
The prayer session, billed for her husband, Otun Olubadan’s Ondo Street, Bodija residence, Ibadan, between 8am and 9am, kickstarts a weeklong funeral programme for the departed Ladoja family’s matriarch who died on October 14, 2024, aged 71.
Later at 11am, a service of songs will also hold for the foremost Christian, woman leader, businesswoman and philanthropist at the Celestial Church of Christ, CCC, Worldwide, Rehoboth International Family Cathedral , Oke Ado, Ibadan, according to a funeral programme issued on behalf of her family at the weekend by Titilola Idakula and Bolatito Egwumba.
Pastor/Spiritual Head, CCC Worldwide, Rev. Mobiyina Friday Oshoffa and other church ministers will officiate at the event slated for 11am.
Olori Ladoja was until her demise, a high-ranking member of the CCC and the only woman to sit on its Council of Pastors, one of the church’s highest decision-making organs.
She was also the Woman President of the Aladura, a conglomerate of the charismatic white garment churches.
Similar services of songs will take place at the Salem Evangelical Christ’s Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ilupeju-Obanikoro, Lagos, at noon, tomorrow, Tuesday, and at the CCC Agidingbi parish, Lagos, at 5pm on Wednesday.
A Christian wake-night of tributes follows on Thursday at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, by 5 pm, while internment holds the next day after the lying-in-state of the body between 8 am and 9 am and funeral service at the Bemil Chapel of Epiphany, Bemil Road, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos, the same day.
Activities will be rounded off on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at her main church, CCC Unity, Ikeja, Lagos.
An astute business entrepreneur, philanthropist and woman of incredible faith and evangelical passion, Olori Ladoja was held in high esteem within her church and the Aladura Movement for her commitment, contribution and services towards the growth of the church.
Called Prophetess Mother Celestial, she surprised many when, at age 60, she went into the seminary and bagged a degree in theology.
A widely travelled and professionally trained secretary, she had a stint working as Secretary at the Southern Atlantic Oil Services before settling to a career working in diplomatic service including serving at the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, in the course of which she met her husband.
She had three daughters of which two are through a previous marriage.