…She made me believe I could become somebody — Son, Sunday Babalola
By Mike Adeyemi
The ancient town of Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, stood still in grief and remembrance as family members, friends, political associates, business leaders and well-wishers gathered to bid a final farewell to Mrs Comfort Oyebola Agbeke Babalola (JP), a revered matriarch whose 96 years on earth left indelible footprints on the lives of many.
Mrs Babalola, who died on March 27, 2026, was laid to rest amid tears, prayers and a deluge of glowing tributes during her funeral and thanksgiving service held on August 14th, at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Diocese of Omu-Aran, Kwara State.
The solemn ceremony brought together dignitaries from different walks of life, including members of the Babalola family, political leaders, captains of industry, community leaders and friends who travelled from different parts of the country and beyond to honour the memory of a woman whose life was defined by motherhood, sacrifice, discipline, compassion and unwavering commitment to the progress of her family and community.
For the family, however, the gathering was more than a funeral. It was an emotional celebration of a remarkable life that spanned nearly a century and witnessed generations come and go.
In the midst of the grief, tributes poured in from those whose lives were touched by the deceased, with many describing her as a woman who possessed an uncommon capacity to nurture, encourage and inspire people around her.
One of her sons, Sunday Babalola, a former governorship aspirant in Kwara State, gave a particularly emotional account of the profound influence his mother had on his life.
According to him, his mother’s words, sacrifices and confidence in his abilities played a significant role in shaping the man he eventually became.
Recalling her impact on his life, Sunday said: “She made me believe I could become somebody.”
The statement, though brief, captured the essence of the relationship between the late matriarch and her children — a relationship built not merely on motherhood but on encouragement, confidence, discipline and an enduring belief in the possibilities of the next generation.
For the children and grandchildren she left behind, Mrs Babalola was not simply a mother or grandmother; she was a source of wisdom, strength and direction whose presence provided a sense of stability and belonging to the family.
Her passing, therefore, marked the end of an era for the Babalola family and a painful farewell to a woman whose influence extended beyond her immediate household.
As mourners filed into the Cathedral of St. Paul, memories of her life, words and deeds dominated conversations, with many struggling to hold back tears while recounting their encounters with the deceased.
From her years of raising and nurturing her children to her relationships with members of her community, Mrs Babalola was remembered as a woman who understood that true motherhood extended beyond giving birth — it involved building character, instilling values and giving others the confidence to pursue their dreams.
The funeral service consequently became a poignant mixture of sorrow and celebration: sorrow over the departure of a beloved mother, grandmother and community figure, and celebration of the legacy of a woman who lived to the remarkable age of 96.
As the final rites were performed and the remains of Mrs Babalola were committed to the earth, the tears of mourners told one story, while the tributes told another — that of a life well lived, a mother deeply loved and a matriarch whose memory will continue to live on in the generations she left behind.
Speaking further on the life and legacy of his late mother, Engr. Sunday Adebayo Babalola, a petroleum engineer and former gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described her as “the great gardener” who carefully nurtured her children and planted enduring values in their lives.
Babalola, who is a son of the deceased, said his mother did not merely give birth to her children but deliberately cultivated their character, confidence and sense of responsibility, leaving behind values that have continued to guide him throughout his life.
Recalling the profound influence she had on him, he said: “My mother kept a garden. A garden of the heart, she planted all good things. That gave my life its start.”
According to him, his mother played a pivotal role in shaping his personality and encouraging him to dream beyond his immediate circumstances.
“She turned me to the sunshine that I am and encouraged me to dream. She nurtured me to achieve this great life that I now live. She sowed in me the seed of self-esteem and when the winds and rains came, she protected me enough, but not too much, because she knew that I needed them to stand strong and tough,” he said.
Babalola recalled an incident from his childhood which, he said, remained one of the unforgettable lessons his mother taught him about discipline, resilience and responsibility.
He narrated how he once climbed a tall ackee tree, popularly known as “Igi-Isin”, and fell from it.
“Instead of my mum pouring oil on me and comforting me, she disciplined me in a way I will forever remember. That was a year that many youngsters died from such falls in Gwanara.
“Her constant good example always taught me right from wrong, which has become markers for my path,” he added.
The former gubernatorial aspirant said his mother also passed on to him a philosophy of life which, he noted, had remained an enduring foundation of whatever success he had attained.
“Mama taught me a lot of enduring philosophy for my life journey, part of which is: make peace, not war. She taught me to be bold, focused, considerate and gentle.
“She taught me to be quick to hear but bold to speak when needed. She would say nobody gets killed immediately for saying their mind. She always philosophised that I should remember the child of who I am,” he said.
According to him, his mother’s philosophy extended beyond the immediate family, as she taught her children to treat people with kindness, affection and fairness.
“Mama taught me to be kind and affectionate to everyone that crosses my path. This has been the foundation of my life.
“Interestingly, I married a woman who was impacted with the same ideals, thus making my life easier to live. As I said earlier, my mother taught me boldness, fair-mindedness, openness and never to hold anyone in unforgiveness or malice.
“She taught me to always do my best in any situation. My mum, Agbeke Aro, taught me to apply my full strength to anything I do,” the APC chieftain stressed.
Also paying tribute to the deceased, another of her sons, Mr. Peter Tejumola Babalola, described their mother as a source of comfort to her husband and an unwavering shield for her children.
Peter said his mother was willing to go to extraordinary lengths to protect, support and secure the wellbeing of her children, regardless of the circumstances.
“Mama would go great lengths for the sake of her children. She loved them all. I do not have a single moment of regret coming into this world through her. She was the epitome of true love and of motherhood,” he said.
Reflecting on the challenges he encountered during his life journey, Peter said his mother remained steadfast and never abandoned him, even in moments when circumstances became difficult.
“In my journey of life, I came across a lot of trials and travails. Mama never at any moment cast me off, nor abandoned me, no matter what. I was like a Joseph in her life,” he said.
The tributes from her sons further underscored the profound impact the late matriarch had on her family, with her legacy described not only in terms of motherhood but also in the values of discipline, courage, compassion, forgiveness, hard work and self-belief which she painstakingly instilled in her children.
For the Babalola family, therefore, the burial of their matriarch was not merely a farewell to a beloved mother, but a celebration of a life whose influence continues to live on in the character, achievements and memories of the children she painstakingly raised.