11th March, 2024
By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi
In honour of Mother’s Day this past Sunday, Denrele Edun, a media personality, has taken to his Instagram page to reflect on the sacrifices made by his mother for him and his siblings.
In a post, he shared how his mother tirelessly worked multiple jobs in Lagos to provide for their family.
From being a class teacher to a headmistress, French and German teacher, and lesson teacher, she juggled various roles to make ends meet.
Denrele recalled a moment in 1989/1990 when his mother had to sell her cherished Indian Saris and gold ornaments to raise funds for his Common Entrance Examination fee, as their financial situation was dire.
Despite his distress over her sacrifice, she reassured him, emphasizing that he was her greatest achievement.
Furthermore, Denrele described the challenges they faced upon moving to their family house, where conflicts with cousins were frequent.
However, his mother fearlessly defended and fought for their well-being, demonstrating her unwavering support.
In expressing his gratitude, Denrele acknowledged his mother’s resilience, strength, and fierce love, encapsulating her as a remarkable woman named Anita Dhunwantee Edun.
“Our MOTHERS.….
They are beautiful, softened at the edges, and tempered with a spine of steel.
We want to grow old and be like them!
All that I AM or HOPE TO BE, I owe to my MUM.
The hardworking, resilient, overtly temperamental (We never understood why, but now I do), MFM Prayer Warrior, Street Fighter, Fashion Killer all-round Superwoman named ANITA DHUNWANTEE EDUN!
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My mother worked several jobs in Lagos to make life worth living for us kids. She was a Class Teacher here, the Headmistress there, a French and German teacher somewhere, and a Lesson Teacher everywhere!
I recall one time in Primary 6 (1989/1990) when I had no school sandals, my uniform was struggling at the seams and we had passed the deadline for payment of my Common Entrance Examination. My Dad was out of a job and my Mum (then) was working as a kindergarten teacher who tried incessantly to get salary advance payment but the School Authorities were already tired of her demands. She sold off her Indian Saris and gold ornaments (sold them ALL…every single one) and even though I was so distraught cos I knew she was saving them up for her flight fare back to Mauritius, she hugged me and told me,
“You silly boy. You are my investment. Make sure u pass your Common Entrance and buy all my Saris back”.
She muttered something in Hindi, tugged at my ears, and rushed off to another job.
Moving to our family house was HELL on earth!
There was never a moment of peace.
My cousins were always out to draw blood but here’s the crãzy part; My MOTHER STOOD UP FOR US ALL AND FOUGHT EVERYTHING FIGHTABLE!
Standing at 5ft 3, she was a FORMIDABLE FORCE and ONE MAN MOPOL! She even broke bottles faster than an Agbero but still Ebute Metta style! I always looked in amazement as she fought bout 8 women in our family house every frigging day whilst my Dad would always leave them to Baba GOD.
Try Anita’s kids and you will see her Indian wrath in all its volcanic glory!
It was my Mum’s Birthday on the 7th, IWD on the 8th, and now Mothering Sunday on the 10th;
Triple Celebration for IYA RELE.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO MY ROCK & SALVATION”.
