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Tribute to Hilda Ogunbanjo
WHEN beggars die there are no comets seen, but the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes(s)". Even though Mama as she was fondly called had been ill, no one ever gave a thought that the cold hands of death would snatch her away from our midst so soon. We had nursed the hope that her unwavering courage, pluck and incredible will would see her through. After all she had recently organised her 70th birthday celebrations as well as the 80th birthday celebrations of her husband last December. "Oh death! Where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" Mama is not dead. She lives forever in our hearts. Her good deeds, good works and good thoughts live after her. They will remain indelible in our memory, a source of inspiration and tower of strength to all those she left behind and those whom she touched during her lifetime. It is indeed an irony of life that Mrs. Adunola Ogunbanjo who craved anonymity while on this material plane of existence, in death became an instant celebrity. The news of her transition hit the airwaves of our radio and television stations with a bang while the newspapers reported the news with dispatch and professionalism. Both the high and mighty as well as the commonality of the people have continued to throng her residence to commiserate with the family. During her lifetime, she had frequently reiterated that one celebrity was enough in the family. She referred, of course, to no other person than her famous husband, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, a business colossus and foremost corporate lawyer. She preferred to remain in the background, that is to say, in the shadow of her famous husband. A celebrity in her own right who through dint of hardwork, perseverance and industry had achieved several strings of firsts in journalism, publishing, printing and business. She was averse to all forms of publicity and shunned the limelight like a plague. Rather she devoted her life to building a happy home, a happy family and a happy marriage. The building blocks of love, tolerance, patience and understanding were the intrinsic qualities assembled by this builder and architect of a rock solid love affair and marriage that lasted over half a century. It was half a century of commitment, half a century of devotion, half a century of dedication, half a century of loyalty, half a century of unalloyed support, half a century of unstinting love, half a century of compassion, half a century of kindness and half a century of labour of love. Veritably she was a good woman in the sight of the Lord. Her married life was made of the stuff of a fairly tale. Both husband and wife had remained like Siamese twins all through. The marriage was symbolic in the sense that they had waded through thick and thin, yet neither time nor age had diminished the quality of their love for one another. Their lives represented the twin towers of love and marital bliss. They had remained the best of friends till death separated them. In another sense it exemplified what you may refer to as the God Almighty Grand universal theory (GAGUT) of love. Apologies to Professor Gabriel Oyibo, mathematician and physicist and exponent of GAGUT. Oyibo, a potential Nobel Laureate in physics believes his theory is a cure all solution for major problems in the universe. I believe the GAGUT of love was Mama and Papa's recipe for marital bliss and happiness. They showcased the ideal and positive qualities of marital life that was anchored on God Almighty. They were a tough act to follow. But they laid a very good example for the younger generation. This apart, she was a role model and pacesetter. Her pioneering roles in journalism, publishing and printing were unrivalled and unmatched. Having reached the pinnacle of her profession, she had literally left the ladder of success behind for others to climb to the zenith of stardom and success. Adunola's life, as her name implied, was a melody of sweet song, joy and sweet reasonableness all through her sojourn in life. She brought joy, love peace and goodwill to all and sundry. She was a bridge builder. She built bridges of love, harmony and cooperation within her nuclear and extended families as well as the larger society. Her being radiated an aura of glory, regal splendor, dignity and nobility of character. She was an elegant and virtuous woman. A woman of exquisite taste. She was a lady full of grace, charm, wit and refinement. She was indeed fit only for a man of timber and caliber, as well as royalty. A woman of many parts, she was a foremost journalist, editor, publisher and printer. She was the first woman journalist to win a Federal Government scholarship to study journalism in the United Kingdom in 1958. She began her journalism career with the Federal Ministry of Information in the early 60s. She was the first African woman to publish and edit a magazine, that is Amber that was later acquired by the Daily Times group of newspapers and renamed Woman's World, now defunct. Again, she was the chairperson of an ultra modern printing press and a publishing concern. She gracefully combined these roles with being a good mother, dutiful wife, perfect hostess and amiable consort of Chief Chris Ogunbanjo. Not only did she build a business, still she went ahead to build a successful home and was a pivot of support and pillar of strength to her husband and family. Apart from her accomplishments as a journalist and publisher, Mama's second love was printing. Hence, it was no surprise that she established an ultra modern printing press - C & A Prints Nigeria Limited, in 1981. It is instructive to note that C & A represent Christ and Adunola. The press trained a generation of printers, lithographers and book-binders. A sizeable proportion of professional printers passed through the portals of her company. It is equally worth noting that she contributed her quota to the educational development and growth of the nation. She partnered with reputable publishers such as Longman, Macmillan, Nelson, Evans and University Press, to print books for primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Her publishing company - John Daniel Publishers developed various titles for primary and secondary schools. A woman of excellence, she was deep and blessed with high intelligence and an encyclopedic memory. She had an eye for details. She was an astute administrator, consummate manager of men and materials; a master planner. She had great organisational skills and ability. Moreover, she had an uncanny ability to cut through verbiage, cant and humbug. Thus it was not surprising that her editorial skills were brought to bear while she actively ran her printing organisation. In printing parlance, errors and mistakes of printers are usually ascribed to the printer's devil. In her own case, she could be best described as the printers angel because her forensic editorial skills saved the press from grave errors on several occasions. This grand dame of journalism, though born with a silver spoon and married to one of Africa's most successful businessmen, had no airs whatsover about her and she conducted herself with dignity, sobriety and warmth. She did not harbour any delusions of grandeur associated with the glitterati. Rather she was the quintessence of good manners. She was humble, self-effacing and generally good-natured. However, she cherished honesty, transparency and accountability. She frowned at all forms of impropriety. She neither tolerated nor encouraged any form of sharp practice that would confer unfair advantage on any of her businesses. She was a woman of high repute, integrity and unimpeachable morality. On a higher pedestal, Mama exhibited great spirituality. She had honed her feminine qualities of intuition, insight, instinct and emotional intelligence, which served her in great stead in her business pursuits and family life. As a result of this remarkable gift, she was able to keep at bay all manner of predators, interlopers and tricksters who lurked around. It was common place for Mama to spice her conversations with the need for constant prayers. As far back as the early 80s, she had instituted prayer sessions in her company long before the fad caught on with the corporate world here. She lived on a steady diet of prayers, Psalms and praise hymns. She could recite hymns and psalms off hand. Clearly Mama was religious but not fanatical. She was religious in the universal sense of the word. Her religion was of heart; that is love, gentleness, meekness, kindness, goodness, joy and peace. She believed prayer was central to a happy and successful life. She made it a point of duty to commence her activities with prayer. She was a great believer in the efficacy of prayers. At bottom, she was a woman of deep and abiding faith. Not only did she practise her religion, but she also lived an exemplary Christian life, which is worthy of emulation by all. From all indications Mama worshipped God in spirit and in truth. A true citizen of the world she had visited several parts of Europe, United States of America, Canada, Asia, the Caribbean, Israel and Africa. She was well travelled and had practically visited all the continents of the world. The former Hilda Adunola Ladipo was born in Lagos on February 16, 1934. Her father who was an alumnus of St. Andrews College, Oyo hailed from the family of Ogundipe Alatishe and was a tutor in CMS Grammar School, Lagos. Chief Mrs. Ogunbanjo, the Otun Iyaloja of Egbaland, Yeyeoba of Eruwon and Ijebu Imushin trained as a journalist in Regent Street Polytechnic, London. She was the Chairman and Chief Executive of John Daniel Publishers. Her marriage was blessed with children and grandchildren. One of Mama's last acts was the recitation of Psalm 91 after which she fell asleep and thereafter slipped into the great beyond. She had earlier rejected medication preferring to recite Psalm 91 instead. Thus she departed into eternal glory with praise and prayers on her lips to the Almighty God. The heavenly hosts have no doubt accepted her prayers. Surely, Mama would have loved to complete all unfinished projects she left behind. Let us take consolation in the fact that she lived a glorious and purposeful life. There is no doubt that she performed her duties as a wife and mother admirably and creditably well.
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