Tribute: Mourning ‘Grandma’ who lived and loved

By publisher

At the dawn of Monday morning, February 19, the world lost a stalwart in journalism, Mrs. Yetunde Oladeinde, nee Francis, aka Grandma, whose vibrant presence transcended the newsrooms into the hearts of those who had the privilege of sharing moments with her. Joke Kujenya captures her transformation from an industrious journalist to a cherished friend, who endeared herself to many.

Since Monday, February 19, when the news of Yetunde Oladeinde’s death broke, it has been lamentations of a great loss and an outpouring of love and fond stories and memories. Whether it was amongst her old colleagues at the now rested Concord Newspapers where she cut her teeth as a cub journalist and made a name for herself, to the extent that an industry juggernaut like Dr. Doyin Abiola would later stick out her neck and recommend her for the top job at Nigeria’s top lifestyle magazine of the early 2000s, Genevieve Magazine; or at The Sun Newspapers or even at National Life Newspaper, where she worked briefly before crossing over to The Nation, where she worked until her painful demise, it has been tears uncontrolled, and eulogies.

Oladeinde never moved over to Genevieve Magazine, but it was more out of personal considerations, rather than rejection or failure to make the cut, as she later told her colleague Gboyega Alaka, who used to work there.

A former colleague of hers, Moriam Musa, could only weep, as she called another colleague, Olusegun Rapheal, from her base in the United Kingdom, to confirm the news.

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Yes, you read right. Grandma. That’s a sobriquet she earned in her Concord Newspapers days, when she wrote a column titled ‘Grandma’s Diary’. The column became so popular that it literally became her identity and pushed back her name, Yetunde Francis or as she later became, Yetunde Oladeinde.

Her colleagues in the Weekend Newsroom of The Nation will particularly remember her for her cheerfulness and never-a-dull-moment personality, which always got the room buzzing.

That perhaps was why many in that newsroom have described her as ‘very personable and lovable,’ pledging to hold onto those beautiful memories of her.

Although she had her battles, including health and marital, one clear thing is that the late Oladeinde hid and managed them so well in public, never letting them show or affect her work or her relationship with her various professional groups.

Though a journalist through and through, Oladeinde blended so well even with business professionals, gaining their trust, so much so, that one of them, Business and Professional Women (BPW) Nigeria, voted her president – a position she held until her last breath.

She was also a staunch member of the Association of Nigeria Women Business Network, Echoes of Women in Africa (ECOWA); not to talk of her involvement with the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and of course the overall body, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Strong but human

Her first daughter, Dr. Olubusola Oladeinde recalled how she went out more frequently and got involved with groups such as the Business and Professional Women (BPW), diverse church activities and especially journalism groups, where she showcased her dedication, dependability and hardworking spirit. But never forgetting the home-front, especially her children.

“She made sure we all did well in our studies and education. And in the last few weeks, it was almost as if she knew she wouldn’t live long. During the last conversation we had on Thursday, February 15, she was talking and using a phone charger to illustrate the essence of life and the importance of living a life of forgiving those who hurt us because we all would soon cross to eternity, which is what matters most to God.

“She told me that I must learn to be kind to people I come across.’Help the ones you can and make sure you forgive easily because people will definitely hurt you at one time or the other’. Those were her exact words, and sadly, they’ll now remain her parting motherly counsel to me.

“She was always there for us and even took us to her office at different times to keep an eye on us during periods she was out on journalism tasks because, according to her, our security mattered to her. She was a woman on top of her game in motherhood; but if any issue was more than she could handle, then, she asked for some help.”

Oladeinde left behind nine children– her four biological children- Olubusola Margaret, 26; Oyinkansola Joy, 18; Olaoluwa Michael, 16 and Gbemisola Tamilore, 13; and adopted five children of her two sisters.

Her life was not only marked by her journalistic feats, but also by her unwavering commitment to her family.

Perhaps what her first daughter regrets so much was the irony of her journalistic sobriquet, Grandma, which she didn’t wait to attain in real life. Hear her: “She gained huge popularity through one of her columns, “Grandma’s Diary”, which earned her the nickname, ‘Grandma’, in which she created imaginary grandchildren and how she would relate with them when they eventually arrive. Sadly, she didn’t even wait to see me get married.”

Reflecting further on her mother’s life and times, Olubusola said it was one laced with consistent health struggles, as “she was often in one sort of pain or the other.”

She recalled how her mom was diagnosed with low blood glucose (Hypoglycemia) level about four years ago (amidst tears). She said it was a battle the late journalist bore bravely while also caring for their ill grandma until she died a few years ago at age 77.

Since then, she remained on treatment using soda drinks to stabilise, while also monitoring with the glucagon kit, which unfortunately failed on Thursday, February 15, when it just wouldn’t work. “However, she remained strong for us her children and others through it all. But that poignant last conversation that Thursday now holds a profound meaning,” Olubusola said.

Devastating Last Moments

Yetunde’s life suddenly came to an abrupt end in a tragic turn of events as she lost the long battle to Hypoglycemia.

Her son, Michael Oladeinde, recounts the harrowing moments leading up to her untimely demise.

“I returned home from school only to discover my mom was not there. Concerned, I inquired about her whereabouts from my cousin living with us, who revealed that despite being unwell, mom had been going to work. Disturbed by this, I confronted her when she returned, questioning her going to work, knowing she was unwell. But she simply reassured me that rest would restore her health.

“Later that evening, I accompanied her to her room, where, instead of resting, she began vomiting. Worried for her well-being, I suggested going to the hospital but she insisted we wait until the next morning. But the following morning, I found her in distress as she was struggling to breathe, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. I rushed swiftly to call for help, and neighbours around quickly responded by making frantic efforts to save her life.

“Without delaying, we rushed her to the nearest hospital, where she received initial treatment before being referred to Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital. I also quickly informed my dad and coordinated efforts to save her life.

“However, the medical staff there delivered a rather devastating news, when he said that her vital signs had deteriorated rapidly as her eyes had dilated, rendering her clinically dead. Yet, they put in other best efforts, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which they told us was 50-50; yet, she couldn’t be revived.

“Overwhelmed with grief, I had to deliver the heart-wrenching news to my dad and elder sister, Busola.”

Professional Cliques

More than a year ago, she assumed the role of president at Business and Professional Women (BPW); she had been an active member for approximately 22 years, initially joining as ‘Young BPW.’

Oladeinde, known for her sweet nature, unwavering commitment, reliability, diligence and gentle demeanour, continued to work tirelessly till her last moments.

Last Saturday morning, two days before her demise, she participated in a BPW virtual board meeting for over four hours before heading to her office, where she dedicated herself to producing her weekly pages until around 8.00pm.

A Life Beyond Headlines

Born October 7, 1967, her journey on earth, from adolescence, was marked with the tapestry of triumphs and tragedies, yet, she approached each day with an unwavering spirit, navigating her tribulations like a candle in the wind, living a life that not only chronicled the news, but one that showed that behind every headlines, lies a complex and multifaceted journey.

Yetunde Oladeinde was the daughter of late Cyprian Akinnola and Folashade Esther Francis from Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Her father was the first African Director of Elder Dempters, a Lagos-based shipping company and her mother worked with UTC Departmental Stores, Lagos, where she emerged Miss UTC for three consecutive years in a beauty pageant organised by the company.

Oladeinde attended ADRAO International School, Victoria Island Lagos (1969-1977), Holy Child College Obalende, Lagos (1978-1980), Girls Secondary Grammar School, Obalende, South West Ikoyi (1980-1983).

She thereafter attended Methodist Girls High School, Yaba (1983-1985) for her Higher School Certificate (HSC), before proceeding to the University of Lagos (1985-1989), where she obtained a B.Ed in English and Literature. She later obtained a post-graduate diploma in Journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos (2001-2002).

She started her working career at the Staff Development Centre, Abeokuta, where she served in her compulsory NYSC year. She later worked with Concord Newspapers (Weekend Concord) as Staff Writer II (Feb 1992-June 1994), Classique Magazine as Assistant Woman Editor (June 1995-Sept 1995), doubling as Personal Assistant to Mrs Mee Mofe Damijo, and later at Weekend Concord between January 1996 and 2000.

She later birthed at The Sun Newspapers, where she was in charge of the Life and Style pages between November 2002 and July 2008; National Life Newspapers as Assistant Editor (July 2008-June 2012) and The Nation Newspapers as Assistant Editor (2012 – February 2024). Nation