The 40thday Fidau Prayer for the late Hajia Maimuna Umoru comes up on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the Afegbua Royal Palace, Awuyemi, Okpella.
A statement by the National President, Afegbua Royal Family Welfare Association (ARFWA), Alhaji Daudu Abdul Amin Afegbua said the event would attract political party leaders, top government functionaries and business moguls in Nigeria and abroad.
‘’Muslim clerics and scholars will use the occasion to pray for the repose of the soul of Hajia Umoru, the oldest in the Afegbua descendants.
Hajia Maimuna Umoru died on May 16, 2019. The greatest significant of her passage lies not merely in the fact that she was 102 years old but that she led a life of distinction, marked by commitment to the common good and humanistic values.
Hajia Umoru was a devoted Muslim, a successful business woman and a highly respected community leader.
She was in addition a woman of integrity, a role model to generations of women, a source of inspiration to many in her immediate environment and a family woman that radiated the best of family values.
In the course of her life, she was duly recognized as a good advertisement for hard work and sincerity.
Hajia Maimuna Umoru (Nee Afegbua) was born on April 10, 1917 in Okpella to the Otaru and Ekhaifome 1 of Okpella, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Abdulmalik Asekomhe Afegbua (O.B.E). Her mother too was of a royal family breed from Ilorin, Kwara State. She was popularly known and called ‘’IYAAGBA’’ by her beloved ones. A devoted wife and a caring mother, the marriage was a happy one and was blessed with three children – Princess Asimaru, Princess Jenebu and herself.
Hajia Umoru lived a life of generosity, humility and friendship. In terms of pedigree, Hajia Umoru had it all. But what distinguished her from others, perhaps, was her religious zeal and quiet determination to excel and therefore chart a path that was distinctly her own.
The story of Hajia Umoru’s vastness in Islamic Knowledge in her tender age is told in Okpella where she lived most of her life and how it prompted her to acquire Western education.
In the course of her growth, Hajia Umoru made perhaps the most profound decision. She married Late Pa Umoru Obinagbe, an officer of the Nigeria Army from Ogute-Okpella. They had most of their children in Kano. They then moved to Benin City and Iwo, Osun State as a result of military transfer, where they lived till her husband’s retirement in 1979. They later moved to Okpella.
By all accounts, Hajia Umoru was a remarkable woman. She was constantly interested in mentoring others.
In Okpella, Hajia Umoru was a pillar to many people. She was a very kind woman even to a fault.
Her love for the good people of Okpella knew no bounds. One thing that was dear to her was giving commodities to people, especially her relatives. This made her so popular on the street she lived in Okugbe, Okpella.
People who knew her in Kano and Benin City also attested to this fact that at no time would you visit her home and go hungry.
Hajia Umoru lived a life fully dedicated to Allah and that obviously impacted on the family in various ways. She did not joke with her five daily prayers. Infact, she adhered to the five pillars of Islam. In 1984, she embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in fulfillment of the teaching of Islam.
Widely admired and respected by all for her combination of personal warmth, humanity and attention to details, her sense of humour was extraordinary. She was a visionary leader, epitome of service and excellence, kind, peace loving and a role model to many.
The daughter of the first paramount Otaru of Okpella Kingdom was an altruistic member of the Afegbua Royal Welfare Association. She was made adviser in the women’s wing. She became the most senior and head of the females in the Afegbua family in 2015, a position she held until her death.
Mama was also a strong member of the Muslim Women Organization in Okpella. She guarded and promoted the cultural and rich heritage of her people.
Hajia Umoru’s abiding legacy was that she was a humanist to the core, a perfectionist, a quintessential mother and a friendly person.
Indeed, she remained modest and humble all through her life.
She shall be dearly missed not only by her relatives and friends but by Okpella Muslim Community.
Mama had seven children, 28 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Mrs. Ayisatu Obafemi (Late), National Bank of Nigeria, Lagos, Mrs. Abosede Awosika, American Embassy, Abuja (Retired), Mr. Abu Umoru, National Bank of Nigeria (Retired), Mrs. Rabiatu Usman, Retired Nursing Matron, Agenegbode, Edo State, Mr. Saliu Umoru, Sinoma Company Limited, Okpella , Edo State, Mrs. Adiza Odusina (UK) Waltham Forest (Crest) and Mr. Musa Umoru, American Embassy, Lagos.