By joshua Hon. Bolanle Bola Olorunsaiye (Née Amupitan), Former Commissioner For Women Affairs, Celebrates Mother’s 80th Birthday In Grand Style
It was a celebration of grace, virtue and impactful living as Hon. Bolanle Bola Olorunsaiye (Née Amupitan), former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kogi State, rolled out the drums in grand style to celebrate the 80th birthday of her beloved mother, Mama Mary Malomo Amupitan.
The colourful ceremony, held in Abuja, attracted family members, traditional rulers, political associates, friends and well-wishers from across Kogi, Kwara and beyond, who gathered to honour a woman described as a virtuous mother, trailblazer and pillar of strength.
Personalities at the occasion paid glowing tributes to Mama Mary Malomo Amupitan, describing her as a woman of uncommon courage, integrity and enterprise. They expressed gratitude that her lifestyle and sterling qualities of truthfulness, hard work, discipline and compassion are being replicated by her daughter, Hon. Bolanle Olorunsaiye, whose tenure as Commissioner for Women Affairs was marked by humility, dedication and service to humanity.
The high point of the event was the pouring of encomiums, prayers and goodwill messages for more years of good health, peace and joy for the octogenarian.
BIOGRAPHY: MAMA MARY MALOMO AMUPITAN (NÉE AYODELE): A VIRTUOUS WOMAN, TRAILBLAZER AND PILLAR OF STRENGTH
A Life of Grace, Resilience and Purpose
Mama Mary Malomo Amupitan (Née Ayodele) was born on 18th September, 1946 into the family of Pa Joseph Ayodele Molegbemi and Mama Marion Iyeyomi Molegbemi, both of blessed memory, of the Iyamoodogan Clan, Idiamuyan Compound, Mopa, in Mopamuro Local Government Area of the then Kabba Province. Though raised by Mama Rhoda Olodooa, a relative of the same clan, her life has remained a living testament to God’s faithfulness and the beauty of a heart totally surrendered to Him.
As the firstborn of five children, she blazed the trail of responsibility and love from an early age. Her siblings are Julius Ajayi Ayodele (passed unto glory), Gbadebo Ayodele (of blessed memory), Olufemi Ayodele and Remilekun Folarin (Née Ayodele).
Education and Early Career: A Foundation of Diligence
Mama Mary’s educational journey began at Baker Girls Primary School, where her extraordinary love for learning and insatiable thirst for knowledge shone brightly even in her tender years. Her passion was so compelling that she would follow the white missionary teacher around, drawn by an irresistible desire to learn and better herself. That early display of determination foreshadowed the resilient, hardworking and goal-driven woman she would become — a woman who never allowed circumstances to define her destiny.
She later concluded her primary education at SIM/ECWA Primary School, Okedigba, Mopa, where she obtained her Standard Seven Certificate. Even as a young girl, she combined schooling with work, a clear reflection of her unwavering determination and industrious spirit.
In 1969, she served as an Auxiliary Teacher in Itakete-Ide, where she rode a bicycle, and later excelled at riding both bicycles and motorcycles. She also worked with Mr. Akobe from Kabba.
Driven by a thirst for self-improvement, she enrolled for the TICEP B and A Teachers’ Training Programme at Kabba Teachers’ College (KTC), Kabba in 1972. She subsequently obtained her Grade II Teachers’ Certificate in 1980, with which she served diligently as a primary school teacher until 1983.
Family and Marriage: A Union of Love
In 1972, Mama Mary met and married her late husband, Pa Solomon Adeniyi Amupitan Obarewo. Their union is blessed with six wonderful children: Lucky, Adekunle, Olabode (Sir Bodet), Bolanle, Oluyomi and Olufunsho. Though her beloved husband passed on to glory in June 1996, Mama Mary remained steadfast, raising her children with love, discipline and the fear of the Lord.
A Bold Career Transition: From Classroom to Commerce
In 1983, under the administration of late General Muhammadu Buhari, a policy was introduced requiring all teachers to possess both the National Certificate of Education (NCE) and B.Ed to remain in the teaching profession. Rather than be deterred, Mama Mary made a bold and courageous decision, she resigned from teaching to go into full-time trading, a step that enabled her to focus on raising her children and building a solid financial base.
Her entrepreneurial journey began with the sale of drinks. She later travelled to Ibadan to procure plastics for sale. Not one to limit herself, she added diesel to her trade and ventured into large-scale farm produce, travelling to Nasarawa and its environs.
Mama Mary later ventured into the timber business and today, she stands proudly as the only female member of the Mopa Timber Contractors Association. A true trailblazer, she broke barriers in a male-dominated industry and excelled through sheer hard work, integrity and determination.
A Woman of Faith, Politics and Community
Mama Mary is a lover of God and the things of God. She is devoted to her family, truthful to the core, a unifying factor and a woman of virtue who strongly believes that hard work is the best policy.
Her diligence was reflected in politics. Under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), she served as Women Leader of Adogbe Ward for eight years. She was a staunch believer in the principles of the late Chief Silas Bamidele Daniyan. A political associate once described her as one of the few who did politics with truth, saying, “Once Mama declares her support for a candidate, she never goes back.”
She is a disciplinarian to the core — one who will say the truth not minding whose ox is gored. She is a community leader who loves Mopaland dearly, shares her meals with all, and is a woman who can turn anything to wealth.
Roll Call Of Dignitaries At The 80th Birthday Celebration:
1. Oba Dr. Muyiwa Ibeun – The Elulu of Mopa and Chairman, Mopamuro Traditional Council
2. Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, Oba Solomon Olugbenga Oloyede Atolagbe I – from Isin Local Government, Kwara State
3. Representative of Hon. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu – Amb. Enikanolaye
4. Representative of Hon. Leke Abejide, Member, House of Representatives, Yagba Federal Constituency
5. Representative of the Secretary to Kogi State Government, Mrs. Arike Folashade Ayoade
6. H.E. Arc. Yomi Awoniyi – Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State
7. Barr. Shola Ojo and wife
8. Hon. Sam Aro – Former Member, House of Representatives, Yagba Federal Constituency
9. Hon. Olawumi Jacob – Member, Kogi State House of Assembly representing Mopamuro Constituency
10. Erelu Professor Ronke Bello – Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Abuja
11. Alhaji & Alhaja Sola Gold – Former SSG, Kwara State
12. Amb. Rotimi Akenson – ODA National President and National Secretary
13. President, Mopa Women Council
14. Directors and Staff of RMAFC, Abuja
15. Directors and Staff of PCRC, Abuja
16. ESSMO Old Students Association
17. Children, Grandchildren, Family Members, Political Friends and Well-wishers