The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council President, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu’s mother, Mrs. Grace Iyabo Ebun Aliu (Nee Orimoloye) died on the 26 October, 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria at the age of 79.
A statement from the family stated that she was born to the Royal Family of Pa. Samuel Orimoloye and Mariam Ebeola Orimoloye on the 23rd of September 1939 in Ifon in the old Ondo Province currently Ondo State.
“After the completion of elementary school at Anglican Primary School and secondary education at Ekamarun Anglican Grammar School, she enrolled at St Louis Hospital Nursing School Owo in 1956. She qualified in Nursing and Midwifery in 1959. It was at this time she married Mr Abiodun Aliu. She worked briefly with the catholic missions in Owo and Kabba before joining the local government authority as Midwife Grade 2, and she started her nursing career in Idoani Maternity Clinic,” said the family.
“During the course of her life long work, she continued her education in Nursing up to advance level at the University College Hospital Ibadan (UCH) 1973-1976. She also attended Ondo State School of Nursing and Midwifery from 1982 to 1985, during that time she did her practical work at Akure specialist Hospital. Over the years, she served communities in Auga, Ajowa, Iboropa, Ikeram, Ishua, Akunnu, Arigidi, Oba, Idoani, Uso and divisional centers of Owo, Ikare, and Akure. She retired as chief matron nursing sister in 1996 after 35 years of service. ”
The family eulogized her selfless service to Nigeria. “As a Catholic and having trained and worked with the Catholic Missionary, she embodied the spirit of selfless missionary work. This influenced her to dedicate her professional life to the service of rural communities of the old Ondo Province particularly in the Akoko Division. In most cases, she was the only medical personnel available to support communities who faced many medical challenges and serious such as yellow fever, cholera, guinea worm, and so on. She engaged in public health education and promoted the virtues of modern medicine often to the chagrin of local traditionalists.”
The burial arrangement has been concluded by the children. The family said: “The service of songs holds by 4pm on the 6th December at the Agric hall, scheme 1 oko oba GRA, before Abbatoir along old Abeokuta road, while the Reception holds on 7th December By 2pm at Batten House Event center Plot A2 Block G, MKO Abiola Gardens Road, beside Adonai Court, off CIPM Avenue, Alausa, Ikeja.”
She is survived by four children, which the ICAO Council President is one of and 10 grandchildren
