Why I remain grateful to my adoptive mother — Apostle Funmi Tayo-Ajimoko

In commemoration of Mother’s Day which comes up every March 27, a Canadian-based healthcare professional and cleric, Apostle Funmi Tayo-Ajimoko, pays tribute to mothers and in particular her adoptive mother, Chief (Dr) Mrs Yetunde Omisade nee Esan.

Being a mother is one of the most important roles a woman can ever play. Mothers play a huge role in their children’s lives, caring for them, loving them, teaching them, and so much more. 

A mother plays multiple roles in a child’s development, as she is a teacher in every aspect of a child’s developmental growth – social-emotional, physical, cognitive and independent.

The story of late Chief (Dr) Mrs Yetunde Omisade nee Esan and her adopted child, Apostle Funmi Tayo-Ajimoko, who was raised in Ibadan the Oyo State capital is not really different from the usual mother and child relationship, but what makes theirs a little bit different was the show of love to a child who is not biological.

With the support of her husband, late Chief M.A Omisade, Mrs Omisade was able to nurture Apostle Funmi Tayo-Ajimoko, who at that time did not know what the future held to stardom. Narrating the story of her relationship with the Omisade family particularly Chief Mrs Yetunde Omisade, who died on March 28, 1990, Funmi Tayo-Ajimoko, who is presently a Canadian-based healthcare professional and cleric said:” Mothers should always be appreciated not only on Mother’s Day but every day. First thing is that I am grateful to Chief Mrs Yetunde Omisade, immensely grateful. With her unflinching support and solid foundation, I had all the education any child could want: primary, secondary, college, university, PGD and Masters.

“She was a school principal for 25 years before she retired, she was a great teacher of repute. There are so many things I would want to remember her for, but one thing is her resillience, her passion and love, a great sacrificial love at that, to take care of I and my siblings despite all odds.”

Asked whether she is willing to follow the footstep of her adoptive mother, she noted that:”I had thought that I would love to be a teacher, to which i have a certificate and have a school of my own with mostly orphans in attendance. 

However, things changed along the way.

“I decided that instead of adopting one child, it was better to adopt many in absentia by creating a Non-Governmental Organisation called Balm of Joy (Humanitarian) Foundation, which supports as many less-privileged children as possible. 

“For example, I started a programme of recent titled, Off The Street, Back To School in conjunction with three schools.

“I also introduced another programme called Female HYGIENE whilst in Ghana,  which we have now commenced in Nigeria. 

These are some of the things I have been able to do to give back to society and to be able to adopt more through these programmes rather than having only one orphaned child in my custody.

“As led, I became an evangelist and started an evangelical ministry, called Funmi Tayo-Ajimoko Evangelical Ministry, FTAM.

It is a ministry that sets out to preach love to the people in remote villages, both in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and once in the Philippines. 

We also give to the less-privileged widows and single mothers who have no one to support them.

“All of these and more, are my gratitude to show my mother for taking me out of the orphanage.

“I am who I am today because of this great opportunity. 

“I am yet to find my biological mother, However, I discovered my biological father, late Chief Mubasir Olaitan Ola-Buraimo, from Ijebu Water-Side.

“My deep appreciation to the Esan and Omisade family for their support thus far.

The memory of late Chief Dr Mrs Yetunde Omisade (Nee Esan) will always be a blessing, to which my gratitude is eternal.”