0
0
EX-EKITI CHIEF OF STAFF, OLUSEGUN ILORI BURIES MOTHER, OLORI RACHEL ILORI FEBRUARY 7 IN ORIN-EKITI
…The Susan Wesley Awardee Of Methodist Church Nigeria Women Fellowship, Head Of Women Methodist Church, Orin-Ekiti and Olori Of Late Oba Adebanji Ilori, Olorin Of Orin-Ekiti
The Royal Family of His Royal Majesty, Late Oba Samuel Adebanji Ilori, the Olorin of Orin-Ekiti in Ekiti State has unveiled the programmes lined up for the burial arrangements of the Matriarch of the Family, Late Olori Rachel Adelubi Ilori, JP who passed on at age 87.
Late Olori Rachel Adelubi Ilori is the mother of the Chief of Staff to former Governor Segun Oni of Ekiti State and served as Commissioner for Special Duties in the administration.
According to statement made public by the family, the event would commence Tuesday February 3rd with a commendation service at Methodist Cathedral, Gbogi, Isikan in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State by 11.00am.
On Thursday February 5th, Women Fellowship Service of Songs is slated for her residence, Ule Adebanji on Orin-Ifaki Road where from the Ifaki Diocese of the Methodist Church are to converge in honour of the Susan Wesley Awardee of the Methodist Church Nigeria.
In the same vein, Christian Wake has been slated for Friday February 6th at her residence, Ule Adebanji in Orin-Ekiti.
On Saturday February 7th, political stakeholders, captains of industry as well as community leaders are to converge at Methodist Church in the town for the funeral service after which entertainment of guests would hold at Mother Mary Catholic School Ground.
Olori Rachael Adelubi Ilori JP was born in Orin-Ekiti in Ido Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State on March 9th, 1938 .Her parents were Late Chief Thomas Faturoti, the then Baba Ijo of Methodist Church, Orin Ekiti and Late Madam Juliana Ilori Faturoti of blessed memory.
She started her early education at Methodist primary school in Orin-Ekiti and trained as a Sewing Mistress in Ibadan, Oyo State. She immediately started a career in tailoring (fashion designs) and trading, which became a training center for many apprentices in the trade.
She later married then Methodist Catechist, Samuel Adebanji Ilori who trained at Methodist Theological Institute, Sagamu and worked in the Lord’s vineyard serving in several local churches such as Ilaro, Ode-Sanlu and Ago-Iwoye in the present Ogun State . Also Imota, Igbogbo, Ikorodu in Lagos state and Oye-Ekiti with Mrs Rachel Ilori organizing the women in all the local churches as Chairperson of Women Fellowship .
Her husband later ascended the throne of his forefathers as Oba Samuel Adebanji Ilori, the Olorin of Orin-Ekiti from 1974 to 1980 where she served as the Olori , wife of the King. bearing the responsibility of caring for the King, her immediate family and the entire community.
Her transition from being wife of clergy to the wife of a King did not change her simple and humble Christian lifestyle as Mama embraced everyone who came her way with open arms and hospitality. Despite her love for her children, siblings and apprentices, she would however not spare the rod , and would always admonish with biblical principles and teachings, telling them to remember ” the son or daughter of whom thou art ”
Shortly after the demise of her husband, Olori Adelubi moved to Akure where she established her fashion design and trading business. She also joined the Methodist Church Cathedral Gbogi Akure where she continued to actively participate in women fellowship and evangelism.
She was installed the Asiwaju Obinrin Ijo of Methodist Church, Orin-Ekiti Circuit by then Bishop Ladigbolu. She was part of Ekiti state Christian delegation on Pilgrimage to Israel in 2008.
Since inception in 2015, She has served as Chairperson and motivator for the Oba Samuel Adebanji Ilori Foundation ltd /Gt (OSAIF) set up in the name of her husband for charity purposes in education, health and Christian evangelism. The Foundation has been the sole sponsor of the annual Methodist Church Christian Music Festival ( MECCMUFEST) which holds in Easter period bringing together the choir of all churches for church Hymnal competition.
She joyfully participated and chaired the past 9 editions up till the one held in April 2025. The Foundation also sponsors Medical Outreach Program during the Easter period for routine medical examination for all the community and provision of basic medications apart from educational Scholarships and donations for worthy causes.
In all these her endeavours , Olori Rachel Ilori remained humble, always appreciating God for the grace and mercy over her life and children. These and other attributes surely motivated the Methodist Women Fellowship of the Diocese to confer SUSAN WESLEY AWARD (SWA) on her in July 2025 at the Women Fellowship Conference held at Osi Ekiti by the hand of His Grace Archbishop Oluyemisi Ogunlere , now of blessed memory.
Our late mama is survived by her Children: Barr Prince Segun Ilori, KJW, Princess Fadekemi Adegoke, Princess Toyin Falodun, Princess Nike Ogunleye and Prince Kayode Ilori And they and the grandchildren and great grand children appreciate her life of sacrifice, perseverance and contentment.
For 45 years after the passing of her husband, she remained steadfast in the care of her children and extended family, and devotion to service of God. As she reunites with her husband in heaven, we wish her safe and peaceful repose in the bosom of her maker.
About The Author
