A Mother’s Final Journey: Ikere-Ekiti Stands Still as Journalist, Prince Gbenga Sodeinde Buries His Mother
By Our Correspondent
Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria — Friday, 28 November 2025
The ancient city of Ikere-Ekiti stood still on Friday as family, friends, community leaders, clergy, and members of the media converged to pay their final respects to Late Mrs. Magerat A. Adebamigbe JP, Nurse and the beloved mother of the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Correspondents’ Chapel, Prince Gbenga Sodeinde.
The solemn yet celebratory atmosphere reflected a life well lived—one marked by quiet strength, devotion to family, and unwavering faith.
Late Mrs. Adebamigbe was widely known as a woman of grace and resilience. Her home in Ikere-Ekiti had long served as a haven of warmth for neighbours, relatives, and community members, many of whom spoke fondly of her kindness and generosity.
During the funeral service, clerics described her as a “mother to many”—a woman whose virtues shaped not just her children, but an entire community. Her commitment to service in both church and society was repeatedly highlighted through tributes that drew tears from many in attendance.
For Prince Gbenga Sodeinde, a respected journalist and NUJ leader, the ceremony was both an emotional farewell and a celebration of a mother who had been a pillar of support throughout his career.
Colleagues from various media houses turned out in large numbers, demonstrating solidarity with one of their own. Senior members of the NUJ extolled Sodeinde’s dedication to journalism and commended the values instilled in him by his late mother—discipline, honesty, and unshakeable integrity.
The funeral drew notable personalities from within Ekiti State’s media, political, and traditional circles, underscoring the high regard in which both the deceased and her family are held. The town of Ikere-Ekiti hummed with cultural colour as traditional groups paid homage with songs and prayers, celebrating a matriarch whose footprints remain deeply etched in the community’s history.
As the remains of Late Mrs. Magerat A. Adebamigbe were committed to mother earth, the mood was one of reflection rather than despair. Family members expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support, noting that the unity displayed at the burial was a testament to the life she lived.
For the Sodeinde family—and especially for Prince Gbenga Sodeinde—the burial marked the close of one chapter and the strengthening of a legacy rooted in love, compassion, and service.
Late Mrs. Adebamigbe may have been laid to rest, but her values, influence, and nurturing spirit continue to live on in the hearts of all who were privileged to know her.
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