Biography of late Ibijoke Ayodele Aboderin (1936-2018)

Mrs Ayodele Ibijoke Aboderin was born 15th February 1936 in Lagos Island to Mr Ayodele Lijadu and Mrs Veronica Lijadu (nee George). The 6th and the youngest girl of 8 children - 5 boys and 3 girls. her siblings include Mrs Modupe Anumuyi, Mr Fela Lijadu, Mr Yemi Lijadu, Mrs jumoke enahoro, Mr Yinka Lijadu, Mr Dehinde Lijadu and Mr Ladipo Lijadu.

She lived in Lagos Island and started her education at Christ Church Cathedral School Lagos, Princess School, Catholic Mission Street Lagos, New Era College for Girls Lagos, then moved to Abeokuta to stay with her grandmother Mrs Adeline Bona Lijadu (nee Olubi).

She moved to Abeokuta grammar school and went to Nigerian College and later to England in 1960 as a western Union government scholarship student to study Physiotherapy in Queen Elizabeth School of Physiotherapy now United Birmingham Hospitals School of Physiotherapy, Birmingham and finished in 1963.

She met her husband Micheal Akinleye Aboderin after secondary school while they both worked in Lagos. he spied her as she walked past his office daily. he made a move and the rest as they say is history.They attended Nigeian College together and he went to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan and she left for England to study Physiotherapy.

They cemented their relationship in December 1964 and were blessed with 4 children; Akinwale, Ibironke, Olufunlola and Akinwande and Later Tosin. Ibijoke opened her home to many friends and family members. She lost Akin after a two year long battle with cancer in 1991.

The family moved to Orelere Street Idiape about 1976 where Joke lived until her death. Over the years, she lived peaceably with her neighbors who were more family than friends where they raised their families together and looked out for each other; Mr and Mrs Banji Fawehinmi, Mr and Mrs Vincent Agha, Arc and Mrs Dupe Omisore, Mrs Ajibade, Mr and Mrs Palmer and many others.

In the last few years she could be seen taking strolls and catching up with her long time Adugbo friends; Aunty Sola Fawehinmi and Aunty Moniyi Agha. Or spending time with her dear childhood friends Aunty Bisola Balogun and Aunty Detola Williams.

Ibijoke started her illustrious career at Adeoyo Hospital Ibadan where she worked from 1963 - 1967 when with her husband and children she moved to England. On returning back to Nigeria in 1970 she moved to University College Hospital UCH where she worked and rose to the Head of Physiotherapy department as Chief Physiotherapist until her voluntary retirement in 1966 at the age of 60.

A devout Christian all her life Ibijoke was a member of All souls Church since 1971. She is a founding member of Band of Grace Society and has contributed immensely to the growth of the society since inception (1997). She attended the School of Ministry and she was an intercessor, a member of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and the Faith Clinic. She was a member of the Alanu Committee fund of UCH which she joined while representing the Physiotherapy Department and continued in retirement.

Initially from a very large and very close-knit family, her children were further extended to include Lolu, Joy and Gloria. Her grandchildren; Obayi, Kikiolaoluwa, Makinwale.

Mamas Favorite Hymn: It is well with my soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
A song in the night, oh my soul!

Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul