Today marks the sixth anniversary of the passing of Mama Comfort Rolayo Onawola (popularly known as Iya Alate), the beloved mother of Chief Bode Onawola, the Chief Alagure of Offa. The remembrance coincides with what would have been her 92nd posthumous birthday.
Born on March 27, 1933, Mama Comfort was the daughter of Pa Emmanuel Ayanda Awokeye (a.k.a. Takute Jesu) of Beri Bepo Compound, Offa. Her father was renowned for his evangelism and soul-winning efforts for Christ. Interestingly, her father-in-law, Chief John Ogunmola Sofoluwe (J.O.S.) Onawola, was the first recorded Christian convert in Offa in 1907. He played a crucial role in founding The Cathedral Church of St. Mark (Anglican Communion), Offa, in the same year and was also instrumental in establishing Offa Grammar School in 1943. Chief J.O.S. Onawola later became the first Alagure of Offa.
Mama Comfort began her education at Baptist Primary School, Offa, from 1941 to 1946, and continued at Baptist Primary School, Egunkara, Offa. However, she had to discontinue her schooling in 1950 after the loss of her father. Despite this, she was literate and proficient in English, which enabled her to engage in various vocations. She learned tailoring and later ventured into petty trading, earning her the nickname Iya Alate.
A devoted Anglican with a Baptist background, Mama Comfort was an active member of Egbe Ibukun Obinrin and the Mothers’ Union of The Great Cathedral Church of St. Mark (Anglican Communion), Offa.
In 1954, she married Chief Samuel Olusola Onawola, the first Chartered Accountant from the former Northern Region of Nigeria. He also made history as the first Northern Region indigene to hold the position of Commissioner of Revenue. Chief Onawola passed away on March 11, 2010.
In 2013, Mama Comfort traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, to reunite with her daughter, where she joyfully celebrated her 80th birthday.
As her family and loved ones remember her today, prayers continue for her eternal rest.
May her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.
