The Unforgettable Mrs Dele Adigun

By Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu

From December 15-16, 2022, I paid my last respect to a dear friend, Mrs Dele Adigun, the wife of Engineer Adigun (late), Founder and Chairman of popular Sahara Engineers Limited in Ibadan.

She was among the very few people who did not run away from Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) because of the name but rather, identified strongly with my vision in the late 90s when it was very difficult to recruit members.

The words “breast cancer” scared a lot of people away who ignorantly thought that being a member of BRECAN was like bringing the affliction upon themselves.

That’s was then. That’s part of BRECAN’s story although the story is different in recent times.

Mrs Adigun was kind and forever giving and lived a life of service. She had this air of western lifestyle or “oyiboness” if you like.

Later, I found out that she studied and lived in Germany.

The first time I visited her, she offered me German tea, no, it was German coffee and bread. When I disclosed that I loved the bread, she would from time to time bake German bread and brought to my house in Jericho, Ibadan.

She was a mother of five boys popularly called “THE BIG 5”. And with their 5 wives, that’s a village!

When one of the boys found an Igbo girl as a wife, she excitedly informed me and was eager to know more of the Igbo culture. With such a favourable disposition, I thought she would be a wonderful and caring mother-inlaw.

She was a constant participant of BRECAN jog for life in Ibadan for years until she became immobile. How can we forget her peculiar dance steps that added fun and laughter for all of us, the participants, both the young and old!

She will be sorely missed. May her soul rest in perfect peace.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu is the First Lady of Ondo State, and Founder of BRECAN