Mrs Helen Olarewaju, the late wife of Hon. Moses Olarewaju, a politician associated with Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State, has been laid to rest at Ebony Vault, Ikoyi, Lagos, following a solemn burial ceremony attended by family members, political figures, church leaders, friends and professional associates.

The burial brought together people from different parts of the deceased’s life to honour her memory and celebrate a woman remembered by her loved ones as a devoted wife, caring mother, supportive sister and dependable friend.

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The funeral activities included a service of songs at Canary World Hall, 23rd Road, FESTAC, which began at 5pm and ended at 7pm.

More than 2,000 people reportedly attended the gathering, reflecting the wide circle of family, friends, associates and community members who came to pay their respects.

The burial ceremony at Ebony Vault, Ikoyi, commenced at 2pm and ended at 4pm.

It was marked by grief and reflection, particularly for her husband and their three children, as mourners watched her coffin being lowered into the grave.

Two pastors from her church attended the burial to assist in conducting the funeral service, providing spiritual support to the bereaved family and other mourners.

Among those who attended the service of songs and burial were Hon. Moses Olarewaju, her husband; their children, Semilore Olarewaju, Dara Olarewaju and Ngozi Olarewaju; her sister, Florence Akpabio; her brothers, Ini Akpabio and Santos Akpabio; and her nephew, Daniel Akpabio.

Other family members and relatives included Glory Ekpo-Ufot, née Udosen, her cousin, and Similoluwa Ogunrotimi, née Olarewaju, her sister-in-law. Otunba Hassan Ademuyiwa was also among those listed as attendees.

The ceremonies also attracted Prince Lanre Sanusi and his wife, as well as Rev. Dr J.O. Ogunride, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), alongside other dignitaries and community representatives.

Organisations and groups that attended and offered condolences included members of the GreenCarpet Foundation, the NUWAKOBIRI Youth Foundation, representatives of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and representatives of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.

Colleagues and staff of Leadway Assurance, where Helen built a substantial part of her professional career, were also present to honour her memory and express their condolences to her family.

Helen’s life story reflects a combination of family devotion, professional commitment, faith and community service.

Born on 21 September 1979, she spent her childhood in Ojo Cantonment before moving to the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos, where she received much of her early upbringing.

According to her biography, her father was a military officer, while her mother worked as a finance officer at the old DuBar Hotel around Mile 2, Amuwo-Odofin.

The values of discipline, integrity, obedience, perseverance and service instilled during her upbringing became important parts of her character.

She began her formal education at Command Children School, Ojo Cantonment, before proceeding to Command Secondary School, Ipaja, where she completed her secondary education in 1997.

Helen subsequently obtained a diploma in Business Administration from the University of Calabar in 1999.

She later gained direct entry to study Marketing at the same university in 2001 and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in 2004.

Her professional journey included a national youth service placement with Leadway Assurance in Lagos.

Her dedication and performance reportedly earned her continued employment with the company, where she advanced from a clerical role to senior responsibilities.

Over the course of her career, she served in different capacities and eventually became branch head of the company’s Ikeja branch.

Her biography states that she retired in April 2026 after 21 years of service, having also managed the company’s Marina and Ikeja branches at different points.

Even after retirement, Helen reportedly continued to provide financial advice to clients and remained available to those who sought her professional guidance.

Her family life was another defining part of her story.

She and Hon. Moses Olarewaju were married for more than two decades and built a home centred on mutual respect, shared responsibility, family unity and the upbringing of their children.

Her biography describes her as a mother who took a keen interest in her children’s education and encouraged them to pursue their ambitions with honesty, discipline and hard work.

She was also said to have maintained cordial relationships with relatives, neighbours, colleagues and friends, welcoming visitors and offering support to those around her.

Helen was a committed Christian and an active member of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, in Cannanland, Ota.

She participated in church activities and supported initiatives promoting fellowship, peace and community development.

Her faith, according to the biographical account, shaped her belief in compassion, service to humanity and respect for people from different backgrounds.

The loss also carries significance for her husband, Hon. Moses Olarewaju, whose political activities are associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and grassroots engagement in Lagos State, particularly in Amuwo-Odofin.As a political figure linked to the constituency, Olarewaju has been involved in political mobilisation, engagement with residents and interactions with community leaders, youth groups, party members and other stakeholders. His public interests have included community development, education, infrastructure, healthcare, employment, security and youth empowerment.

His involvement in local political and community affairs has centred on grassroots representation and connecting residents with public programmes and opportunities.

The presence of political figures, local government representatives and community organisations at the funeral reflected the range of public and personal relationships surrounding the family.

For Olarewaju and their children, however, the occasion was first and foremost a painful farewell to a wife and mother whose place in the family cannot be replaced by public recognition or professional achievements.

Helen reportedly fell ill and remained in a coma for three weeks before her death on 28 September 2026.

Her passing brought an end to a life that combined a lengthy career in the insurance industry with responsibilities to her family, church and wider community.

As mourners gathered to bid her farewell, the tributes and condolences reflected the affection in which she was held by those who knew her.

She was remembered as a loving and compassionate woman whose influence extended beyond her immediate household to her workplace, church and social circles.

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Her burial marked the closing of a painful chapter for her family, while the memories of her devotion, resilience, faith and service remain part of the legacy she leaves behind.