Nothing prepares you for losing your mother. Though she died on February 1, 2021, after 90 years of a well-lived and satisfied life, her passing was a devastating blow to all of us. We give Allah glory for her life, which was full of significance and accomplishments. She was kind, kind, and attentive; she was affectionately known as the ‘Kind Teacher’ due to her maternal, nurturing personality. She was beautiful both inside and out.

A diplomat at heart, she was always striving to bring peace and tranquility to her family and friends. She was always deliberate about staying in touch with everyone. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, extended family, and family members can all attest to this.

She made a concerted effort to maintain personal relationships and memories with everyone in her life in order to learn how they were doing and whether she could assist in any way. She remained the same incredibly kind, generous, loving, and gorgeous woman even to the very end. I’m not sure how mom did it, but she never missed anyone’s birthday, and believe me, we are a large family.

She was an amazing source of history, information, and current events, always up to date and on top of everything. She was sometimes the one to break the news or advise me of critical information. We used to joke that she was our very own NTA, Radio Lagos, and CNN combined.

She was exceedingly generous, and she instilled in all of her children the values of contentment, hard work, and God’s fear. She valued good education so highly that she was willing to go to any length to ensure that her children received the greatest education possible.

Her trust in Allah was unwavering, and she instilled it in all of us as a basis. She was always ready to bless you with prayers that gave you peace and assurance that everything would be well. She was very supportive of all her children and grandkids and took an active role in their lives. She never neglected to share her favorite mantras with us, such as ‘Remember the child of whose you are’ and ‘In my life, I will not do evil or practice hatred towards anyone.’

She handled all of her children differently and was always fair with us. Her parenting style adapted to her children’s individuality, and we all felt like we were her favourites. She held a special place in her enormous heart for each child and loved them wholeheartedly. She transformed our home into a lovely, serene, and loving environment that you would always want to return to, no matter what. It wasn’t always about material wealth. Our home exuded a sense of love and serenity, making it always feel pleasant.

I admit that sometimes we were just there to consume her food. Her Egusi, Ewa Riro, and Obe Dindin are all-time favorites.

She is someone you can entirely trust with your life. She was a friend to everyone, especially when they needed one. When I got home to meet her, I warmly called her ‘Iyawo Alhaji’ (Alhaji’s Wife), and she responded by calling me ‘Iyawo Erewa’ (Erewa’s Wife). My husband’s nickname was ‘Black and Shine.’ She had jokes and nicknames for everyone, even children and grandchildren.

Without her, there would be no “us.” Her love, care, and sacrifices have helped shape who we are today. She was an inspirational soul, and we will miss her terribly. She was the best mother we could have asked for, and she raised us in the best way any mother could.

In this homage, her eldest grandchild, Olusegun Erogbogbo, sums up our dear and treasured Alhaja Sadiat Abeke Erogbogbo as follows:

“My earliest memory of Alhaja is of her taking excellent care of us, by which I mean her heritage – her family, her legacy. In brief, all of us.

I recall a recent chat in which, after exchanging our normal humorous welcomes, she inquired about my former university buddies from 20 years ago.

Back then, my classmates and I shared an apartment, and Alhaja paid us several visits. It was just amazing that she did that for us back then, but to recall and remind me of it while inquiring about my colleagues demonstrates that Alhaja loved all children, not just her own, with tremendous care and concern. At that point, it occurred to me that these characteristics must have earned her the nickname ‘Kind Teacher’. As far as I am concerned, Alhaja has never stopped being that wonderful teacher by her acts, compassion, and tenacity. She taught us to love, be tolerant, and to go the additional mile. Her approach was to go above and above.

‘Americana Alhaja,’ as I fondly called her. I’ll miss how she’d respond to ‘Emi na re o’ with great smiles and excitement. Alhaja, the tears have changed into delight! You payed it forward for a great many others; we are glad and fortunate to have been a part of your journey.”

Born in Kano State on June 7, 1930, to the late Pa Sunmonu Alamutu of Mokola Abeokuta, Ogun State, and the late Alhaja Hawanatu Aduke Anjorin, Iyalode Adini of Ebute Metta Central Mosque, her father died when she was about a year old, and she was reared by her mother. She attended Mount Carmel School in Ebute Metta before continuing on to Teachers Training College in Lagos. Her teaching career began in 1948 at Public School in Enu-Owa, Lagos, and continued at Edward Blyden Memorial High School in Lagos and Ansarudeen Oke-Popo in Lagos.

She met her spouse of 68 years, Alhaji Ashafa Erogbogbo, during an Ansar-ud-Deen fair. According to him, he couldn’t keep his gaze away from the stunning Sadiat, and a friend had to warn him not to fall under a bus while starring at a woman.

She had seven children: Alhaja Kofowora Kassim, Mr Abayomi Erogbogbo, Mr Rotimi Alade Erogbogbo, Mrs Ajoke Gbeleyi, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, Mrs Moji Williams, and Mr Olusola Erogbogbo. Two stepchildren, Yetunde and Folake Erogbogbo, 21 grandkids, and 14 great-grandchildren.

She withdrew from active service in 1965 to become a full-time housewife after traveling all across Nigeria with her husband, Alhaji Ajibola Ashafa Erogbogbo, teaching in Ansar-ud-Deen Schools in whatever region of the country she found herself—Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Benin, and others.

In 1967, she joined her mother’s trading business and committed her life to the service of Islam and mankind, favorably impacting the lives of many.

A philanthropist, a detribalized Nigerian, and a committed, caring mother and wife.