The transition of Mrs Monisola Eunice Aluko, popularly known as ‘Iya Omo’ (Children Mother), wife of Bishop Sunday Aluko, on Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th December 2024, reminds us that death is not the end; rather, it is only the beginning of eternity. Iya Omo, thank you for allowing me and others at Methodist Theological Institute, Sagamu, to be part of not only your children’s lives but also your life, your kitchen, and your time. Thank you for enabling and supporting our beloved lecturer, Bishop Dr Bishop Sunday Aluko, to excel as a husband, father, scholar, author, and church administrator.

There are simply no words to capture what Iya Omo meant to me or convey the full weight of my grief over your passing. You were simply an angel sent by God in human form to my beloved Oga, Bishop Aluko. When I met Iya Omo at Sagamu, I immediately knew that my Oga, Bishop Aluko, had struck gold. Iya Omo gave my Oga, Bishop Aluko, the wings to fly as a dutiful husband, a fulfilled father, a successful scholar, publisher, and bishop. Iya Omo was humble to a fault, faithful, efficient, and accurate, and, in her unassuming way, she made everything around her beautiful. When things were difficult, especially at MTI Sagamu, Iya Omo was a pillar. She could manage any little amount provided to make the student happy.

Beyond being a bishop’s wife who was always there for her husband, family and the diocese, Iya Omo was the silent partner who shared her husband’s disappointments, successes, and joys, knew the apparent failures and felt the happiness, too. I can attest that Iya Omo had her successes for Christ that often are never told. Iya Omo lived a sacrificial life, going the extra mile to sacrifice and use whatever was at her disposal to help others. Iya Omo was humble and unassuming as she never carried herself high despite being a rector’s wife, proto-presbyter or bishop. Iya Omo was a natural leader who was intelligent and affectionate, without guile, spiritually minded, and holy. She warmed every encounter with her presence. 

Iya Omo’s way of life points to patience, kindness, understanding, flexibility, and respect. She was empowered with these through the Holy Spirit and the life-changing power of the Word of God. Iya Omo’s traits were not in earthly apparel but a heart of gold for people and God. She was a beautiful Rose that God allowed us to share, especially as students at Methodist Theological Institute, Sagamu. Her influence, dedication and passion live on with us in our own journey of life. Even in death, Iya Omo speaks and is used as a mouthpiece for the Kingdom. She was a woman of noble character. Who can find a virtuous woman because her price is worth more than rubies? Any encounter with Iya Omo revealed the spirit of God in her with a sweet and humble spirit. She was an approachable woman with a servant’s heart, working alongside her husband to fulfil the church’s vision and mission.

Iya Omo testified that the people who best understand what it is like to be a bishop’s spouse are bishops’ spouses. In 1 Timothy 3, the Christian wife of a bishop “is to be a woman worthy of respect” (v 11). Iya Omo was a model of ‘a woman of respect.’ Iya Omo’s legacy in the Order of Methodist Grand Matriarchs reminds us that the bishop’s wife has a supportive ministry coupled with her relationship with the bishop.

Iya Omo was ‘an embodiment of what a minister’s wife should be, full of smile, humility, quintessential, sagacious, bold, courageous and always supporting her dear husband.’ Iya Omo was a personification of somebody inhabited by the Holy Spirit. She stood by her husband during the turbulent time of his ministry.

Iya Omo modelled the roles of bishops’ wives in simplicity as a privilege to help their husbands, serve their families, and love the church. Iya Omo’s legacy as a bishop’s wife reminds us that a bishop’s wife is called to love, respect, and obey their husbands as they lead with servant-leader, Christlike humility.

How do I think of Iya Omo? A Christian: among many other convictions, but this was number one. She was earnest in her concern for souls, a godly and prayerful mother, who always took care in her preparation for the students’ welfare and for Women’s fellowship meetings. She sang clearly and strongly in church and gave clear leadership and teaching to the children in Sunday school.

She was caring and constant in her love. However, she was contained in her emotions—she was never particularly exuberant or downcast, always the same. If things, very rarely, got tense and she spoke harshly (in her view), she would come with open arms to apologise humbly. She was a peacemaker.

Creative, gifted in her skill as a teacher, abilities as a virtuous woman and entrepreneur, and patient in her desire to develop new gifts, she was always sitting down and doing something. She was never idle. She was patient in caring, teaching, and encouraging many of us who were attempting these, too.

Cooking: Her husband, Bishop Aluko, could depend on lovely homemade food, especially the weekly pounded yam with okro. Iya Omo taught many of us how to be hospitable, not necessarily with lots of food or extravagant food but with a heart willing to share and a spirit open to flexibility as various unexpected guests were added to our table, any time of day and time of year.

Christmas and Conferences. She loved Christmas family time. It was an apparent period to share the Good News about her Saviour, sing about Him, and write about Him. She also loved being creative with Christmas carols and Christmas cooking. She loved her husband ‘being the joker and going along with his Christmas chaos and hilarity.’ Iya Omo was a wonderful hostess, hospitable, and inspiring at church meetings.

To the entire Aluko family, Iya Omo was “a pillar in moments of difficulties.” We pray for God’s grace upon the family to cope without her. May all who knew Iya Omo be encouraged to pursue Christ as she did, and those who loved her most know God’s grace and strength. It is appropriate that the Lord should have taken her to himself on Christmas Eve. She believed in the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, and she was waiting in anticipation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ her Saviour.