It is one year since Late Mrs Margaret Olayemi left this sinful world. She was truly a mother to all when she was alive. Below is the rich profile of a woman of many parts.
BIOGRAPHY OF HON. (MRS.) MARGARET AJAYI OLAYEMI JP.
27TH NOVEMBER 1945 TO 15TH JANUARY 2021
The Late Hon. Mrs. Margaret Ajayi Olayemi was born on 27th November, 1945 to the family of Chief Samuel Esu Olorunpomi, of Akodi Compound in Out-Egunbe, Kabba. Her mother was Princess Ruth Ibirunke Ogbondeminu Olorunpomi (Nee Olaboke) of Ohakiti-Kabba.
She started her early life under the care of her parents living in Kaduna, Onitsha and Minna. She had her Primary School Education in St. Louis Primary School, Minna from 1957 to 1963.
After her standard 7 certificate, she assisted her parents in their trades, by so doing she started learning business and trading activities, which served her well all through her life. She later proceeded to School of Administrative Studies, Sokoto for a Diploma in Administration from 1972-1973.
While Mummy was working in Ministry of Information Kaduna, she met and married her heartthrob, Mr. Jethro Adekunle Olayemi. Her husband who was an editor to New Nigeria Newspaper was transferred to Lokoja, which made mummy to quit her job to join him in Lokoja.
She later got employment into the then Kwara State Ministry of Finance in Treasury Department.
After the premature death of her husband, Mummy decided to start off her own business to allow her take care of the huge responsibilities suddenly bestowed upon her, consisting of both her biological and non-biological children, as well as relatives. She sponsored all of them to very enviable educational attainments through the dint of hard work, dedication, perseverance and love.
Indeed, the last 50 years of her life were very eventful, as she moved from a textile proprietor, wholesale distributor to Guiness Plc, Nigeria Breweries, Nigeria Bottling company: Government contractor, Manager of NNPC Guest, House and Canteen Lokoja, Manager of NCWS Canteen Abuja, etc
Mummy founded the famous Blue Moon Restaurant in Lokoja, was very popular, even beyond the shores of River Niger.
Hon. (Mrs) Margaret Olayemi gained the admiration of many as a grass-root women organizer, not just Kogi State but also in Nigeria and even beyond, as she navigated the corridors of women politicking in Nigeria and around the world, she became the Vice president of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) Nigeria, The President Women Entrepreneur, Kogi State Treasurer, Kogi Chamber of Commerce and industries, Honourable Special Assistant on Women Affairs to Kogi State Government (2003-2007), Honourable Senior Special Assistant to Kogi State Government (2008-2012). She was renowned for her immense contribution to the growth and the development of both young and old, and especially the less privileged and widows.
She was determined to honor the good name of her late and well respected husband Mr. Jethro A . Olayemi, a journalist of note in his own time. In her unique way, she instituted foundations that quietly took care of widows and orphans, the needy and the poor in the Church and in society. She had a policy of always making a positive impact on all person she came in contact with. Testimonies of her many good deeds abound and are too numerous to be mentioned here. She was therefore honored by her church with many positions and title like President, Emmanuel Anglican Church, Itesiwaju Band, Lokoja (1998 till date), President, Gbe Obirin Niyi of Emmanuel Anglican Church, Lokoja Dioceses until her death