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ORIN-EKITI AGOG AS EX-EKITI CHIEF OF STAFF’S MOTHER, OLORI RACHEL ILORI LAID TO REST
…Event Attracted Former Governors, Ministers, Company Executives, Captains of Industry, Others
Forty-five years after the demise of her husband, the Olorin, Oba Samuel Ilori, Olori Rachael Ilori has been laid to rest at age 87.
Children, relatives, friends, and well-wishers converged on Orin Ekiti in Ido-Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State to bid farewell to the late octogenarian.
The unique story of the late Olori Rachel Ilori and her husband was that both served as Ministers in God’s vineyard, before Oba Ilori eventually ascended the throne of his forebears.
Born into the family of Late Chief and Mrs Thomas Faturoti in 1938, Mama Rachael Ilori proceeded to Ibadan after her primary education, where she was trained as a sewing mistress.
Mama Ilori was married to a Methodist Church minister and together were transferred to different places including Ago-Iwoye, Ilaro, Ikorodu and Oye Ekiti.
They got deeply involved in church activities, particularly the women fellowship where she served as president in all the local churches they were posted to.
Mama Ilori later returned home with her husband after he was selected to ascend the throne as the Olorin of Orin Ekiti.
Mama Olori Rachel Adelubi Ilori’s final journey home began with a Christian Wake at her residence, Ule Adebanji on Ifaki road where religious leaders from the Methodist Church of Nigeria coordinated the event.
The Bishop of Kwara Diocese, Rt. Revd. Joseph Osifuwa described the late octogenarian as a yardstick to measure commitment to service in the vineyard.
The event had in attendance former Governor Segun Oni of Ekiti State, Chairman of Green Energy International Limited, Prof Anthony Adegbulugbe, Dr. Goke Adegoroye, Olu of Oke-Lisa Tuntun in Akure, Kabiyesi Kunle Ajanaku and many others from far and near.
On Saturday, Funeral Service was held at Orin-Ekiti Circuit of Methodist Church of Nigeria where the crème de la crème in the various sectors of the economy gathered to bid Olori Rachel Adelubi Ilori farewell.
The officiating minister, Right Reverend Rufus Babalola described the late Olori as a woman of contentment, perseverance and humility who nurtured her children not only in the way of the Lord but also ensured they received sound and quality education.
The Bishop charged women to emulate the virtues of the late mother and live upright lives in order to inherit the Kingdom of God.
The remains of the late Olori and Iya-Yard as she was fondly called were later committed to Mother Earth at her residence, Ule Adebanji on Ifaki road in the town.
Addressing the gathering, her first child, Prince Segun Ilori, Chief of Staff to former Governor Segun Oni of Ekiti State said Olori Rachel Ilori did not only bring her children up in the way of the Lord but also guided their steps in life.
Ilori who is the Director of Legal and Corporate Service in Green Energy International Limited said the late octogenarian played significant roles in shaping their lives since their father died over 45 years ago.
Similarly, her daughter-in-law, Mrs Blessing Ebun Ilori and other children including Princess Fadekemi Adegoke, , Princess Kayode Ilori and many grandchildren, described Olori Rachel Adelubi Ilori as a lover of children who made great sacrifices that made them who they are today.
Dignitaries at the event, including a former Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, former Minister of State for Works and Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority described the late Olori Ilori as a community leader who lived an exemplary life of motherhood.
The Green Energy International Limited family as well as staff and management of First Otakikpo Midstream Limited and Atlantic Terminal Infrastructure Limited from Abuja and Port Harcourt graced the occasion.
Following the death of her husband, Mama Ilori relocated to Akure, the capital of Ondo State, where she established a fashion design and trading business, while also being active in the women fellowship of the Methodist Cathedral, Gbogi, Akure.
The late octogenarian who installed the Asiwaju Obinrin Ijo and a recipient of the Susan Wesley Award held several leadership positions in both church and community.
She also served as chairperson and motivator of the Oba Samuel Adebanji Ilori Foundation, established in her husband’s name for charitable works in education, health, and Christian evangelism.
The late Iya yard and Olori Rachael Ilori breathed her last on November 24, 2025, at the age of 87.
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