A Life of Love, Faith and Sacrifice: Family Pays Emotional Tribute to Mama Funmilayo Fabiyi

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The passing of Mama Funmilayo Elizabeth Fabiyi has left a profound void in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Yet amid the grief and tears, there is overwhelming gratitude for a life that embodied love, faith, resilience, sacrifice, and service to humanity.

Born on February 12, 1940, in Iponda, Osun State, Mama Funmilayo’s life journey was a remarkable story of determination and perseverance. She spent her early years in Oke Osin, now in Atakumosa West Local Government Area, before moving to Ilesa. Following the death of her mother in 1948, she was unable to continue her formal education and joined her father on the farm.

Rather than allowing hardship to define her future, she turned adversity into strength. Through diligence, discipline, and unwavering determination, she built a life that would become an inspiration to generations after her.

She later married Mr Joseph Fabiyi, a young police officer from Esa-Oke. Their marriage was blessed with five children, but her motherly affection extended far beyond her biological family. She became a nurturing force for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, neighbours, and countless others who found comfort and guidance in her presence.

Family members described her as a woman whose doors were always open and whose heart was even more welcoming. Whenever challenges arose, she was the first person many turned to for encouragement, wisdom, prayers, and practical support.

A philanthropist and humanitarian, Mama Funmilayo devoted her life to helping others. She was widely respected for her ability to unite family members and build bridges where divisions existed. Her commitment to family unity, peace, and harmony earned her admiration from all who knew her.

Beyond her family responsibilities, she distinguished herself as a hard-working entrepreneur. Through persistence and determination, she built her own business and demonstrated that success could be achieved through honesty, hard work, and resilience.

Her Christian faith became one of the defining pillars of her life. After accepting Jesus Christ as her lord and saviour, she was baptised at Christ’s Trumpeters’ Church, Ilesa, on September 9, 2012. She remained steadfast in her faith, continually studying God’s Word and living according to Christian principles until her passing on February 11, 2026.

Those closest to her remember her as a woman of grace, integrity, humility, and compassion. Despite lacking formal education, she taught her children invaluable lessons about respect, hard work, honesty, family values, and the fear of God.

Her joyful personality and warm smile brought comfort to many. Whether a family member, friend, neighbour, or stranger encounters her, everyone will experience her generosity, kindness, and genuine concern for others.

Loved ones have described her death, which occurred just a day before her 86th birthday, as a painful loss. Yet they remain comforted by the enduring legacy she leaves behind.

Paying tribute to her, her son-in-law, Hon. Adewale Fasade, described Mama as a true mother whose love transcended family boundaries.

“Mama was not just a mother-in-law; she was a mother in every sense of the word,” he said. “She welcomed everyone with warmth, wisdom, and genuine love. Her home was a place of peace, comfort, and encouragement.”

According to him, she embodied the virtues of a hard-working, prayerful, hospitable, and disciplined African woman who dedicated her life to serving others and promoting harmony within the family.

Recalling one of his final encounters with her, Hon. Fasade remembered that he had brought Kilichi, a delicacy she loved dearly. Fasade remembered that he brought Kilichi, a delicacy she loved dearly. Fasade remembered bringing Kilichi, a delicacy she loved dearly. During that visit, she repeatedly encouraged him to eat more.

“If I had known it would be the last time I would see her, I would have bought a bucket full of it,” he said emotionally.

For him, the greatest consolation is that Mama gave her life to Christ before her passing, giving the family hope of reunion on the resurrection morning.

Her last daughter, Mrs Bolanle Fasade, described her mother as her safest refuge, greatest supporter, and devoted prayer warrior.

“Mama was my safe place, my teacher, my encourager, and my greatest source of strength,” she said. “No matter how old I became, I remained her baby.”

She recalled the special bond they shared, especially during Mama’s final years in Osogbo, where they spent valuable time together.

She will cherish forever the memories of sitting beside her, listening to her stories, receiving her prayers, and hearing her affectionate voice.

With deep emotion, Bolanle expressed regret that her mother eventually returned to Ilesa after staying with her in Osogbo.

“I wish you had stayed back a little longer. Perhaps you would still have been with us now,” she wrote.

Despite her sorrow, she expressed gratitude for the values her mother instilled in her and the example of kindness, strength, and selflessness she left behind.

Also paying tribute, her son, Olusayo Fabiyi, reflected on the immense sacrifices his mother made for her children.

“You brought me into this world as your second child, and you taught me what it means to care for others, to stand firm when life gets hard, and to keep family at the centre of everything,” he wrote.

He described her as the heart of the family whose love and sacrifices held everyone together through life’s challenges.

“For five children, you gave your strength, your sleep, and your love without keeping score. You were the quiet strength we all leaned on and the hands that held us together through every season,” he said.

Olusayo noted that his mother’s lessons on kindness, resilience, and faith continue to guide him. As the eldest surviving child, following the passing of his elder brother three years ago, he said he felt honoured to carry forward the responsibilities she entrusted to him.

“Rest well, Mummy. I will carry your legacy forward. When we meet again, I want you to see that we did not let the torch you handed us fall,” he stated.

Another son, Gbenga Fabiyi, celebrated his mother’s remarkable impact on society and described her as a woman whose influence reached far beyond her immediate family.

“You were outstanding in life and even greater in death. Indeed, you were a mother to countless people,” he said.

Gbenga praised her entrepreneurial spirit and determination, noting that she rose through hard work and perseverance without relying on external support.

He described her as a role model for women and an inspiration to all who seek to transform challenges into opportunities.

“Without holding any political office, you positively impacted many lives in your community, Osun State, and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

As tributes continue to pour in, one message remains consistent: Mama Funmilayo Elizabeth Fabiyi lived a life that was measured not by wealth or status but by the countless lives she touched through love, generosity, wisdom, faith, and selfless service.

Her legacy lives on in the children she raised, the family she united, the community she served, and the values she passed on to future generations.

Though she has departed from this earthly journey, her influence remains deeply rooted in the hearts of those who knew her. For her family and loved ones, Mama’s story serves as a reminder that a life devoted to faith, kindness, and service never truly ends.

As they bid her farewell, they do so with sorrow but also with gratitude for a woman whose life was a blessing and whose memory will continue to inspire generations to come.

Gen. Musa Seeks Private Sector Partnership to Tackle Insecurity

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has called for a new approach to national security that brings together government institutions, private sector actors, communities, and citizens, warning that Nigeria’s growing security challenges cannot be tackled by government alone.

Speaking at the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja, the Defence Minister stressed that building a secure nation requires a collaborative effort involving security agencies, businesses, technology providers, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, and local communities.

Addressing participants at the conference themed “Building a Modern Security Ecosystem: Integrating Private Sector Capacities into Nigeria’s National Security Architecture,” Musa described the gathering as a timely platform for charting a sustainable path towards a safer and more resilient Nigeria.

He noted that modern security threats have evolved beyond conventional warfare and now include terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, cybercrime, oil theft, illegal mining, communal violence, and attacks on critical infrastructure.

According to him, many criminal networks survive because they receive support from within communities through information, logistics, shelter, or financing.

“Security is no longer the responsibility of government alone. It requires collective action from all stakeholders. Criminal elements thrive when communities remain silent or fail to report suspicious activities,” he said.

The minister emphasized that security agencies rely heavily on credible intelligence from the public, adding that effective security operations become difficult when citizens withhold information about criminal activities occurring around them.

Musa praised the sacrifices of personnel of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, and other security institutions who continue to risk their lives in defence of the country.

Reflecting on his experience as a former theatre commander in Operation Hadin Kai, he acknowledged the emotional burden borne by military families and called on Nigerians to show greater appreciation and support for security personnel.

He further argued that the complexity of modern threats requires Nigeria to embrace structured partnerships with the private sector.

Drawing examples from global best practices, the Defence Minister said private security firms, technology companies, logistics providers, and cybersecurity organisations have become vital contributors to national security in many countries.

He advocated a regulated framework that would enable private sector participation without undermining existing security institutions.

“The objective is not to create parallel security structures but to strengthen national security through collaboration, innovation, and improved response capabilities,” he stated.

Musa also underscored the importance of local defence production, warning against overreliance on imported military and security equipment.

He commended Nigerian defence manufacturers and innovators making strides in the production of military vehicles, surveillance systems, drones, and other security technologies, urging greater investment in indigenous solutions.

The minister highlighted the growing importance of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, biometric systems, predictive analytics, and cybersecurity tools in modern security operations.

He maintained that Nigeria must position itself to leverage these technologies while ensuring they operate within legal and regulatory frameworks.

On community engagement, Musa described local communities as the first line of defence against insecurity, noting that residents are often the earliest to detect suspicious activities and potential threats.

He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, market associations, transport unions, women groups, and local government authorities to actively support national security efforts.

The Defence Minister stressed that trust between communities and security agencies remains essential for effective collaboration, adding that professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights, and prompt responses to security reports are necessary for building public confidence.

He also linked security to economic development, noting that insecurity discourages investment, disrupts agriculture, affects transportation, and increases the cost of doing business.

“A secure nation is a prosperous nation,” he said, explaining that investment in security ultimately translates into economic growth and national stability.

To strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, Musa proposed five key measures: enhancing legal frameworks for public-private security cooperation, establishing secure information-sharing platforms, promoting local defence manufacturing, investing in training and certification for security stakeholders, and expanding community-based security initiatives.

While reaffirming the commitment of the Armed Forces to combating terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities, he cautioned that military operations alone cannot resolve all security challenges.

He urged stakeholders at the conference to translate discussions into practical partnerships, policy reforms, and investment commitments capable of strengthening national security.

“Nigeria’s future depends on the choices we make today. By working together, strengthening our institutions, and investing in local capacity, we can build a safer and more prosperous nation for future generations,” he said.

The conference brought together policymakers, security experts, defence industry stakeholders, development partners, private sector leaders, and representatives of civil society to explore innovative approaches to strengthening Nigeria’s national security framework.

Calls Grow for Equal Treatment as Abducted Borno Pupils Remain Missing

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Concern is mounting in Borno State following what residents and civil society groups describe as a slow and inadequate federal response to the abduction of dozens of schoolchildren in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

Community leaders, activists and political stakeholders have expressed frustration over the government’s handling of the incident, arguing that the kidnapping of pupils in the Northeast has not attracted the same level of attention and urgency seen in similar cases elsewhere in the country.

The controversy follows the abduction of dozens of primary and junior secondary school pupils from the Mussa community in Askira/Uba, allegedly by insurgents. Residents say families of the victims have been left anxious as they await concrete information on rescue efforts.

Speaking in Maiduguri on Monday, Chairman of the Borno State Civil Society Organisations, Abubakar Suleiman, criticised what he described as unequal treatment of victims of mass abductions across different parts of Nigeria.

According to him, while a recent kidnapping incident involving pupils and teachers in Oyo State attracted the immediate attention of top federal officials, communities in Borno affected by similar tragedies have not witnessed a comparable intervention.

Suleiman noted that several abduction incidents have occurred in parts of Borno in recent weeks, yet families and local communities have received little direct engagement from federal authorities.

He urged the government to intensify rescue operations and maintain regular communication with affected families.

“The parents deserve reassurance that everything possible is being done to secure the release of their children. They also deserve timely information about ongoing efforts,” he said.

A political analyst based in Borno, Abubakar Kareto, also expressed concern over what he described as disparities in official responses to security emergencies.

He observed that the attacks in Oyo and Askira/Uba reportedly occurred within the same period but generated markedly different levels of federal attention.

Kareto argued that every mass abduction, regardless of location, should receive the same level of urgency and deployment of security resources.

According to him, any perception of unequal treatment risks deepening feelings of neglect among communities already facing the challenges of insurgency and insecurity.

He called on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and military operations aimed at rescuing the abducted children and restoring public confidence.

“The safety of every Nigerian child must be treated as a national priority. Victims in the Northeast deserve the same commitment and urgency accorded to victims anywhere else in the country,” he said.

Also weighing in, President of the Borno South Youths Alliance Forum, Samaila Kaigama, appealed to political leaders and elected representatives from the state to become more vocal in advocating for affected communities.

He urged stakeholders to unite in pressing for stronger federal intervention, emphasising that the plight of abducted children should transcend political and regional considerations.

The incident has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of schools in rural communities, particularly in areas affected by insurgency. Security experts have repeatedly warned that educational institutions remain attractive targets for armed groups operating in parts of the Northeast.

As families continue to wait for positive news, residents say they expect both federal and state authorities to demonstrate greater commitment to securing the release of all those still in captivity and preventing future attacks on schools.