Eniola Salu Akintunde -
Honestly, I don’t even know how to fully describe her… she was truly one of my “personal persons.”
Aunty Yinka was phenomenal, down-to-earth, strong-willed, full of energy, playful yet no-nonsense, kind, and open-minded. She was a truly detribalized Nigerian and a selfless humanitarian. A goal-getter, a leader of leaders, my cheerleader, and an exceptionally brilliant woman who brought life into every room she entered. Everything she touched seemed to flourish. And her words still echo: “Awesome… this is incredible.”
She brought me into the Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School Yaba Alumni Association (OLAOSA), where I became an active member and met incredible Blue Sisters who remain part of my life today. She served there with passion and dedication to the very end, she was our immediate past president, she was our rallying point and one of our shining stars.
Aunty Yinka was deeply woven into my journey. From the launch of Niola Cancer Care Foundation in 2016, she was there not just present, but fully invested. She guided me on how to run a nonprofit, and I leaned constantly on her wisdom. Many times, she paid for me to attend leadership trainings. I remember telling her once that I had had enough of seminars, and she replied, “You can never have enough of leadership training. The world is evolving with so much uncertainty; leaders must keep equipping themselves and stay abreast of innovation.” That was Aunty Yinka.
She also supported Okuta Iyebiye Gemstones Resources, sometimes paying for exhibition booths, always pushing me forward. Referred and recommend okuta iyebiye to her friends, Through life’s trials and health challenges, she stood firmly by me. She was truly one of my backbones.
It is so difficult to even speak of her in the past tense…
Aunty, I was so optimistic. I kept saying you would pull through and we would celebrate together. But God chose to call you home, and it hurts deeply. Still, I am grateful because you gave your all. You poured yourself out completely, as though you knew your time here was short.
Ahh… Daddy O, Uncle Wemimo, I know this is incredibly tough. I pray that God will comfort and console Uncle Wemimo, my dearest aburos Olawunmi, Kubesky, and Fife. May He grant you the strength to bear this great and irreplaceable loss. I will continue to love you all.
Aunty Yinka, thank you for everything you were to me and to so many others. You finished Strong and Well.
Rest well ma. You will always be loved, and you will never be forgotten.
Aunty yinka mi owon
Aunty yinka mi ti o common
Sun re o.
