Queens and Mothers of Afre-Kh: Eyelua Modupe Oshin of Emure (Ekiti, Nigeria)

Olori Modupe Oshin: A Life of Love, Service, and a Godly Legacy

A Divine Beginning: The Birth of a Destiny

Born on December 15, 1935, in Igede Ekiti, Rhoda Modupe Oshin’s life began with a miraculous act of love and sacrifice. Her mother fell gravely ill shortly after her birth. In desperation, her father carried both mother and newborn on foot for hundreds of kilometers to Akoko in search of healing.

Faced with an impossible choice between saving his wife or his infant daughter, it was her mother’s niece, Esther, who stepped in to raise baby Rhoda while the mother received treatment. When mother and daughter returned months later, both healthy, her father named her “Modupe”—a heartfelt Yoruba expression of gratitude. It was the name he lovingly called her for the rest of his life.

Faith That Transformed Generations

Modupe’s heritage was steeped in spiritual transformation. Her mother, Yeye Marian, was a trailblazer—abandoning ancestral worship in Emure Ekiti to follow Christian missionaries to Ibadan. Her decision set the tone for future generations. She later married a man with a similar story: a former native healer turned Christian, who changed his name from Faweya to Obaweya to reflect his new faith.

Together, they helped establish both the Baptist and Anglican churches in Igede. Their daughter, Modupe, carried this powerful spiritual legacy forward, becoming a passionate disciple and mentor in the Christian faith.

Education and Service: A Journey from Local to Global

Modupe’s educational journey was marked by resilience and brilliance. After early teaching certifications in the 1950s, she traveled to London in 1961 with her husband, Prince Bamidele Oshin. He encouraged her to pursue higher education while he trained as a chartered accountant.

She graduated from the prestigious London School of Economics in 1966, where she also served as Vice President of the African Society. Although she received a scholarship to Harvard, she chose to return to Nigeria to support her family.

In Lagos, she worked with social welfare services, later becoming Executive Secretary and Principal of the Vocational Training Center for the Blind in Oshodi. Her passion for the marginalized led to pioneering rehabilitation efforts for prisoners, the disabled, and underserved communities.

Royalty, Responsibility, and Revival in Emure Ekiti

In 1983, her husband ascended the throne as the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, and Modupe became Olori. For 23 years, they ruled with grace and impact. Olori Modupe was not just a ceremonial figure—she was a visionary leader who transformed women’s roles in society.

Through her work with the National Council of Women’s Societies, Better Life for Rural Women, and local cooperatives, she positioned Emure as a hub for women’s empowerment. Aso-oke weaving, bead making, and Adire production thrived under her guidance, attracting national recognition.

Olori Modupe’s Social and Spiritual Impact

A fierce intercessor and quiet socialite, Olori Modupe combined grace with godly influence. Her impact spanned decades:

• Social Services: She worked with juvenile courts, the disabled, and marginalized groups across Lagos and Ondo State.

• Women’s Empowerment: Her fundraising led to the construction of major women’s centers, and she held multiple leadership roles in co-ops and women’s societies.

• Faith Leadership: A lifelong Anglican and member of multiple Christian women’s organizations, she guided spiritual growth in her community.

Her hobbies—gardening, bead design, and writing—reflected her creative soul. Her published and unpublished works, including The Smile of Nemesis, reveal a literary voice shaped by depth and faith.

A Family Matriarch and Lifelong Mentor

Mother to four biological children and countless adopted ones, Olori Modupe was a nurturer at heart. She supported her stepchildren, grandchildren, and extended family with fierce loyalty and compassion. She was known for calling to check in, no matter where in the world they were.

She deeply loved her brothers—Venerable Obaweya, Chief Benjamin Obaweya, and Hon. Olu Obaweya—and was aunt to national figure Dr. Christopher Kolade.

An Eternal Homecoming

On March 12, 2024, Olori Modupe Oshin went to be with her Lord and Savior. She left behind a legacy of devotion, dignity, and divine purpose. Her elder brother, Hon. Olu Obaweya, passed away shortly after, on March 31, 2024—an eternal reunion born of sibling love.

Her life is a shining example of the Proverbs 31 woman—strong, wise, and full of compassion. She chose faith over fear, purpose over prestige, and service over status. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations to rise in truth, courage, and grace.

Legacy in Numbers: Institutions, Honors, and Service

• Education: London School of Economics (1966), GCE O levels (1963) multiple teacher’s certificates (1951–1958).

• Career Highlights: From social welfare in the UK to national rehabilitation in Nigeria.

• NGO Involvement: 30+ leadership roles in national and international women’s and Christian organizations.

• Awards: National Council of Women’s Societies Award (1978), Woman of Excellence (1998).

• Authorship: Published author and literary mentor.

A Model of the Modern African Matriarch

Olori Modupe Oshin represents the strength, wisdom, and grace of African womanhood. Her life shows what happens when faith, service, and leadership converge.

She may have left this world, but her legacy, woven into the lives of those she served and loved, will endure for generations to come!

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