The first female minister of cabinet rank in Nigeria, in the second republic, Chief )Mrs) Adenike Ebun Oyagbola has been reported dead on Friday at the age of 94
Penpushing reports that this was contained in a statement of condolence from Ogun State Government, which described the deceased politician with courage,humility and a strong will and passion for service.
The Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun in the condolence message added that the late Iyalode of Yewaland had built an enviable path for African women to follow in the quest for gender equality and active participation of women in politics.
Penpushing further reports that Abiodun therefore, prayed for the repose of her soul and for her family to have the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
“I want to commiserate with the people and the entire family of Akinola og Igan-alade in Yewa North Local Government over the passing of their illustrious daughter and a good ambassador of our dear state, Chief Adenike Oyagbola, who made us proud in the Second Republic as the first female Minister of cabinet rank.
“We thank God for her eventful and glorious years of service to humanity as a leading politician and celebrated diplomat of high repute. May God Almighty rest her soul and continue to protect her lovely family,” Abiodun said.
Penpushing also reports the family in a statement by Adebayo Oyagbola confirmed the demise of the woman who also former former Ambassador to Mexico
“With gratitude to the Almighty God for a life well spent, we announce the demise of our Mother, Grandmother, and Sister, Chief Mrs. Adenike Ebun Oyagbola, who passed away on Friday February 28, 2025”, the statement reads.
Penpushing reports that profile has it that she was born in Igan Alade, Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State (then the Egbado Province of the Western Region) on the 5th of May 1931,and had her early education in her hometown and later trained at the Christ Church Teacher Training College in Ilaro from where she qualified as a Grade 2 Teacher, and in her procession of firsts, she was, until her death, the first Iyalode of Yewaland.
The deceased was the Bobajiro of Igan Alade, Yeye-Oba of Ketu and Matron of several Clubs and Associations, and she taught briefly at a number of Yewa towns as well as Mushin before traveling to the United Kingdom for further studies, where she obtained a degree in Accounting.
Penpushing also reports that Oyagbola joined the Federal Civil Service in 1963 and, at the inception of the second republic in 1979, was appointed a member of the cabinet in the Shehu Shagari led administration and was the only woman in that cabinet.
The late politician served with honour and ethics as the Minister of National Planning from December 1979 to October 1983, and she continued her exemplary public service in the year 2000 when President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed her as the Nigerian Ambassador to the United Mexican States with concurrent accreditation to Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala, a position in which she served with great verve and distinction between 2000 and 2003.
Penpushing reports that in yet another first, in the 1990s she was the first President of the International Delphic Council (IDC), a body responsible for the promotion of arts and culture worldwide through the revival of the Delphic Games that was in Greece in antiquity, while she was married to Chief Thomas Oyagbola, an erudite legal luminary, of blessed memory.
The statement explained that the marriage was blessed with children, and grandchildren, adding that funeral arrangements will be announced by the family as a condolence register has been opened at her residence
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