The popular owner of a run-of-the-mill African cafeteria-cum-watering hole in South-East, London, England, Iyabo Onigbin, frequented by a band of mostly Yoruba young and middle-aged men and women, who like to have fun in many unprintable respects, is dead.
According to reports reaching Freelanews, Iyabo Popoola, which was her real name, died today Wednesday, August 12, 2020, in a London hospital after a protracted illness.
Iyabo Onigbin, as she was fondly called, was a Yoruba of Sierra Leone origin and reputed as the first Nigerian woman to open a restaurant and bar in Greenwich SE10 in 1993. She later expanded her business and rebranded her restaurant in 2001 as Iyabo Onigbin Alata Sue Sue in Lewisham.
Her joint hosted many Nigeria and UK based top acts back then including names like late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Pasuma, Obesere and Salawa to mention few.
Her life, despite recording many success stories in business, was stormy in her marriage. She lost one of her eyes to her late husband, who died last December 2019, through incessant fighting over infidelity.
One of her friends wailed, “Iyabo, you left without saying goodbye. We talked about the eye surgery that made you go permanently blind and also affected your brain and memory but you promised to be strong. Rest in perfect peace.”
Her marriage was blessed with kids including twins.
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