Yeye Olori Oladunni Sijuwade: The Woman Who Became A World

By Nehru Odeh

There is something extraordinary about Yeye Olori Oladunni Sijuwade. She betrays a kind of astonishing elegance, a rarity that is associated with only a few, a kind of grace that only the blessed carry. Not because she was born into the distinguished Harold Sodipo lineage and married into the revered household of Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II. But because of the enviable yet contrasting qualities she embodies – her presence.

She is indeed a woman who became a world. She has been described as a very beautiful woman, a stallion, a confidant, a loyalist, the Queen of Hearts, a woman of divine completeness, a matriarch, a warrior, and the defender of friends and family. Yet this woman of contrast is not defined by titles or pedigree. And beyond the encomiums lay something more tangible: her presence – elegant, royal, deliberate, and enduring.

To encounter her is to meet not just a woman but a study in contrasts. She is grace and grit, warmth and will, softness wrapped around steel. Her beauty, often remarked upon, is only the first layer; beneath it lies a mind sharpened by experience, a spirit steadied by faith, and a loyalty so fierce it has become legend among those who know her closely. She does not merely enter a room—she alters its atmosphere.

This is indeed the story of Yeye Olori Oladunni Sijuwade. It was for this and many other reasons that family, friends, and admirers gathered on Sunday, March 22, 2026, not just to celebrate her on her 70th birthday, but to honour a life that has been, in equal measure, regal and resolutely human.

It was a two-tiered celebration of style, elegance, and beauty. The first part was the 70th birthday thanksgiving service that was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Redemption Pavilion at Jide Oki Street, off Ligali Ayorinde, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Then the second part, a masked ball, which turned out to be an assemblage of who’s who in Nigeria, took place at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

It was an evening of testimonies, of tributes, of nostalgia, and indeed of emotions as guests poured encomium and paid tributes to a gravitational force, a woman who has mastered the art of being both regal and real.

A very important highlight of the event was when the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II praised the celebrant, who was described as a very supportive mother, wife and pillar. And he then asked the audience to stand up and give a resounding round of applause to her in appreciation of all the good things she has done. “Please, can you stand up and let us honour her. She stood solidly by our father of blessed memory, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II,” the Ooni said.

Still another highlight was when the audience had a moment of silence in honour of Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse 11, Chief Adedamola Harold Sodipo, Chief Mrs Wande Harold-Sodipo, and Otunba Adekunle Ojora – four great personalities who lived very impactful lives, touched the lives of so many, and were so dear to the celebrant. Still, the guests will never forget the musical performance of the celebrant’s grandchildren

Kicking off the string of tributes that unforgettable evening was Sohil Kureishi, a longtime and former classmate of the celebrant at Buckingham University in the United Kingdom. Kureishi, who came all the way from Palm Beach, Florida, United States, and spoke on behalf of their friends at the university, described Oladunni as “the greatest lady I have known since I was a young student.”

Lolo Ngozi Nkoloenyi, another friend of the celebrant for many years, described her as a phenomenal woman, a stallion, elegant, a loving person who has the fear of God, the most beautiful lady, Olori of the universe, and “my one and only sister.”

Nkoloenyi, who asserted that the celebrant’s mother adopted her, said she cannot forget the role she played when she lost her mother and her husband. “It amazes me how you can perfect the art of putting smiles on people’s faces. It shows why this hall, as you can see, is filled to the brim …You are such a sweet soul and an angel in our midst,” she noted.

“You have always been known to do very good things. You have done very perfect things. You’ve been a very honest friend, open-minded, and a say-it-all to people. It’s always nice and super to be in your company,” Nkoloenyi enthused.

Justice Dotun Adefope JCA retd, the celebrant’s first cousin, said her father, Maj. Gen. Henry Adefope, according to Oladunni, was like a second father to her, and they all stayed together. “So I watched Olori Ladun from youth, when she was very young,” the retired Justice stated.

“Like wine, she has matured and improved with age. She is a very social person, and you can see that by the number of people who are here,” she said, adding that she has always wondered about how the celebrant has a personal relationship with every person. She also described her as a great lady, very warm and kind-hearted.

Mrs Sewanu Shonekan, another dear family member, said she has known Oladunni for 70 years. She described her as a very polished person who is beautiful, awesome, well-rounded, her prayer partner, and a woman with deep faith in God. “I celebrate all your various assets, everything you have today. I love you very much,” she said.

Bayo Adalemo, the celebrant’s nephew, said Oladunni is the perfect person to be in your corner and has witnessed how hard she loves her siblings, children, nieces, cousins, and friends. “The word that comes to mind if I was to describe Aunty Ladun is loyal. Aunty Ladun is fearfully loyal. Its an important trait that is very rare in today’s world. For that reason, I would say Aunty Ladun is one in a hundred million.

Biyi Harold Sodipo, for his part, said the celebrant is fluent in four languages – English, Yoruba, French, and spending money – and has the most amazing smile ever; “although we have the privilege of seeing it once every leap year.”

He said one thing he admires about her is her extreme confidence and self-assurance. “You are not controlled by fear or other people’s opinions. The thing I admire about you, apart from your reverence for God is your devotion to your family, the love you shared with your husband, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse Ii and your selfless love for your mother. Biyi also recalled how the celebrant came through for him on many occasions, one of which was when she was shot by armed robbers 15 years ago.

Olabisi Sijuwade described her as a warrior, a woman like 10 men.. “Sometimes I wonder how these two personalities coexist- a warrior and a lady. If she loves you, she absolutely adores you. But if she doesn’t, you are on your own. Because just need to understand that you can get it anytime anyway. But in another breathe, what you see is not also what you get. Because only a few are privileged o see behind the veil.

“She is fiercely loyal and incredibly supportive. Always helpful, always giving of herself. She never seems to get tired of running around. Lending a hand and always being there for anyone who needs her, even at the expense of her own comfort.

“Once Olori likes someone, that’s it. Her mind is made up. Even if the whole world says otherwise, she stands by her people. She is a kind of friend who will cry with you when you are hurting and celebrates wholeheartedly when success comes your way. But if you somehow end up on the other side of Olori, well, you are on your own.

“The world outside may see you as tough but in there somewhere is a very caring, emotional person who is constantly worried about one person or the other, one thing or the other. Only if you are patient to peel through those layers what you will gain is a ferociously loyal ally.

“A caring mother hen, your people will be her people, your enemies will be her enemies. And your friends will become her family,” Olamide said, adding that if she were to give her a name, apart from Oladunni, that would be Ayanfe Oluwa, one who God from the foundation of the earth chooses to love specially.

In his speech, Prince Dapo Sijuwade said the celebrant has built a legacy of love, strength, and wisdom. “You have been a pillar for your children, a guiding light for your grandchildren, and a mother to many young women. At 70 you are still vibrant and strong.

“You remind us that age is not just about years but about the memories created and the lives touched. Today we celebrate your journey, your sacrifices, your laughter and the love you continue to give freely.

Princess Aderenle Fayose, daughter of the celebrant, gave a very emotional speech in which she described her mother as Balogun of the fighters, one woman army and Weapon of Mass Destruction, WMD. “If you don’t know her well, you might think she is tough, a no-nonsense woman who doesn’t take any rubbish. That’s the image she presents to the world.

“But deep down, there is the complete opposite. She is terribly loving and caring in her own unique ways. She would go above and beyond for anyone she loves, accepts or considers a friend. She may act like you don’t matter, but trust me, she is constantly thinking or worrying about the people she loves. The problem, I think, is that Ladunske believes it is not cool to show how she cares.

“She is fiercely loyal and incredibly supportive. always helpful, always giving of herself. She never seems to get tired of running around, lending a hand, and always being there for anyone who needs her, even at the expense of her own comfort.

“Once Olori likes someone. That’s it. Her mind is made up. Even if the whole world says otherwise, she stands by her people. She is kind of friend who will cry with you when you are hurting and celebrate wholeheartedly when success comes your way. But if you somehow end up on the other side of Olori, well, you are on your own.

Dr Nike Akande, who anchored the cutting of the birthday cake, was also full of praise for the celebrant. “My beautiful intelligent sister is a great achiever. You have touched many lives in many positive ways, including mine… My dear sister I rejoice with you. I can see the grace of God in your life,” she enthused.

Olamide Harold-Sodipo Jr said Oladunni was not just her aunt but also his mother. She means many things to many people. She is a mother, a grandmother, an aburo, a prayer warrior,” she stated. She then recalled how when she was younger and living in Nigeria she used to get into trouble in school. And one day she came home crying because her teacher had flogged her.

“Mum said who did it. And that moment I knew that someone was in trouble and it wasn’t going to be me. She marched into my school and sconfronted my teacher. My teacher never touched me again. But I won’t lie. When I got home, she showed me my own pepper. She said, ‘Don’t ever put me in a position that I have to come and fight for you again.’ And that is who she is. She would defend you in public and correct you in private,” Olamide reminisced.

The highpoint of the event came when the celebrant, who was in high spirits, spoke. She acknowledged the presence of the guests as she called out their names one after the other. She thanked everyone for celebrating her. “I appreciate every single one of you,” she said.

“Now all I can say is this. Gratitude begins from the heart. And I believe we all have a righteous heart that appreciates everything that comes from above. We are all created by God. We are all supposed to be in fear of him at all times. I judiciously chose all our guests.

“But one thing I will always say is this. No matter where we go, no matter how far we get in life, no matter how rich we become, as long as you have the fear of God, you will always succeed. Wisdom comes from above, not here, not what you do. We have been through all sorts in life but we are still standing. In the Sijuwade family we are still standing. We lost our father, my dearest darling husband, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, 11 years ago but the wonderful thing about this family is the closeness, the love that he instilled in us before he passed on,” Oladunni maintained

And the vote of thanks that Prince Aderemi Sijuwade, the son of the celebrant gave, signaled the end of a celebration of elegance, style, beauty, loyalty, royalty and family that will linger in the minds of guest for a long time. “I met her almost four decades ago. It was love at first sight. We actually met in a hospital,” Aderemi said, referring to his mother who he described as his girl fiend, his wife and his daughter

And after the speech, which was an affirmation of love and vow of commitment, the celebrant, family and guests took to the dance floor.