The Parish Priest, SS Peter & Paul Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, Ile-Ife; Rev. Fr. Peter Adeyemi has congratulated Madam Veronica Morenike Ayanlola, popularly referred to as ‘Iya Kebe’ as she celebrated her 86th birthday on Earth surface.

‘Iya kebe’ is an alias given her for her energetic nature that does not reflect her age relative to her stature. Born on February 8, 1939, the celebrant was happy because God kept her alive till date. Despite all odds, as she was faced with a lot of difficulties like many other Christians, she was thankful that bad moments of life did not water down her faith in God.

‘Iya Kebe’ is the current champion of her generation as she is now a year older than her Aunty who was 85 years, the oldest before she left the world. The celebrant was born into a mixed religion family. Though her father was a Muslim, her mother was a Catholic. Her father however never denied them of Church activities hence, Mama has been a Catholic since birth.  

Baptised in 1954 which happened to be the period she received First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St Patrick Catholic Church, Ifetedo, by Bishop Owen McCoy; the 86-year-old Great-Grandmother attended Catholic institution from inception, this contributed to her maturity of faith. ‘Iya Kebe’ belongs to different groups and societies such as:  Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate heart of Mary, Legion of Mary, St Paulina. She has been a prominent member of Sunday’s School Facilitators. While taking up responsible responsibilities, she was a teacher at St Peter Primary School, Ajigbain in 1955 after schooling.

Scaling through the difficulties of the world according to her, there are several instances when one may presume that a prayer has not been answered by God, such might be a test of Faith. She said, “there are situation that I have to be sad when I remembered the loss I have incurred. I was able to manage those situations by trusting in God.”  As elders never left without an advice, she encouraged those who are passing through challenges in their lives to look no further but trust in God. “I have nowhere to run to because my mother did not run anywhere, she also had challenges and she never went anywhere, hence I had no reason to go anywhere,” she stated.

Despite losing her husband in 1999, she has shown her children the way to righteousness. Though at 86, Madam Veronica Morenike Ayanlola is still active on her feet.