It was a beautiful day in Ikare Akoko, Akoko Local Government area of Ondo State, there was no State then, though. The country operates on regional administration. Her mother, Mrs Deborah Ogunyemi never knew when she will put to bed, the medical equipments, (Medical Scanner) that tells date and time now was not in existence then, but she was busy counting the date, trusting God for a safe delivery.
Indeed, God answered her prayer; she was delivered of a bouncing baby girl on the 30th of July, 1960, two months to the independence day of Nigeria. Nobody ever knew what the girl child would become in future, but the creator knows. In those days, parents, especially fathers don’t believe much in a female child, their belief was, they cannot be great in life hence they concentrate more on a male child.
On the eight day, the beautiful, elegant, dark and shine girl was named Foluso Oluwakemi Ogunyemi. Her both parents was a devoted Christian, their commitment to the work of God is second to none.
Miss Foluso Oluwakemi Ogunyemi attended primary and secondary schools before she proceeded to School of Nursing and Midwifery where she studied nursing.
After her graduation, she was privileged to have worked in different places and States. Few of them are General Hospital, Akure, Ondo State. She was transferred to Lagos State, worked at Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital, Agege, Rounder Hospital, Surulere etc.
She got married to her heartthrob, the Rt. Revd. Johnson Akin Atere, the Lord Bishop of Awori Diocese over 30years ago.
At her early marriage, Mrs. Foluso Atere went through different ministerial challenges with her husband, but her steadfastness in God couple with her believe that the tomorrow will be alright helped her to withered the storms. Their first place of service was Anglican Church, Ikoga in Badagry. A 5kilometer journey from the main road. Vehicle only comes around ones in a week, there was no pipe-borne water, rather for her to be discouraged or abandoned her husband, Mrs kemi was not distracted a bit as she knows that it is God that called her husband and she must give in all her support.
As a nurse, whose their jobs are always on rotation with time and days, she never for once abandoned her matrimonial duty. She is a prayerful woman to the core.
In spite of the ministerial challenges, Mrs Foluso Atere remains resolute in her faith in God. On 14th of May 2008, God, the rewarder of a faithful servant, rewarded her husband by promoting him as a Bishop.
They were sent to go and pioneer a new Diocese, Awori Missionary Diocese. The diocese that has been tagged as a wretched diocese due to her performances in her former mother diocese, Lagos West. Many people were thinking how Baba and Mama Atere would survive this, but alas, this virtuous woman, encouraged her husband that the Lord will give them the Aworiland and they shall prosper there.
Her word came to fulfillment as God really work through Baba and Mama Atere. The rejected Awori Diocese has become one of the Chief Corner Stone of the Church of Nigeria today, Hallelujah. Till date, even with the lockdown and no fund coming into the church purse, Baba Atere has never for once owed his workers any salary. He paid them on monthly basis not only that, the Diocese is paying the new Approved Salary Scale by the Lagos Province.
The two child of God set the ball rolling, the husband concentrate on the development of the whole diocese, while the wife concentrate on the development of the spiritual, physical, emotional and financial life of the women and girls in the Diocese.
On many occasion, Mrs Foluso Atere will used her salary to sponsored women programmes in the Diocese. She was never for once tired of working for and with God with all her resources.
She mobilized her friends and members of the diocese to build women Centre on about 3 acres of land. The centre comprises, group of schools, chapel, a big hall, a clinic for the community, an open field etc.
My hope and prayer is that by the time, Baba and Mama Awori will be leaving Awori Diocese, the Diocese would be able to pay her money she personally invested in the centre just for the work of God to continue.
Mrs. Foluso Atere is a mother; her delight is to see everybody growing in all facet of life. A season teacher, a child of God whose indelible foot prints cannot be erased in the sand of time. She is an open minded personified. She relates and treats everybody equally.
The growth of Awori Diocese is to God’s glory and to her immeasurable support to her darling husband. She gives Baba Atere peace at home, this reflects in all Baba Bishop’s activities because if the home is not settled, he cannot concentrate on his divine assignment.
Mrs. Foluso Atere is a peace maker, lovers of good things, burden sharer and bearer.
Mama, you are a quintessential mother, you always seek for the lost sheep, encourage people to be committed to God and look for the welfares of others. Your motherly, advised to me five years ago on marital life is still useful to me till date, thank God I yielded to your advice then when you always tell me, “Dammy go and marry”.
Through you, God has built many homes, you have used your God deposited gifts in you to restore many broken home, the comfort of the wife’s priests remain your major priority, oh! What manner of woman are you?
Mama, as you celebrate your diamond jubilee today, all I could wish you is God’s divine strength, power, good health and wealth to be able to continue your good work to God and humanity, you still have many things to achieve, and my prayer is that God will give you the grace. May all your children be great in your lifetime. You and Baba Bishop will finish well and strong.
Happy Birthday Mama!
Evang (Otunba) Oladele Damilola
Awori Diocesan Assistant Communicator
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