Comfort Olubisi Solademi was born in Akanran in Adewunmi hamlet to Madam Mirian ‘Toun Onatunde (nee Kilanko) and Pa Emmanuel Onatunde who hails from Ataari Village in Ibadan on the 11th November 1945.
Comfort started primary one in 1955 at SDA Primary School Atari. She proceeded to Modern School which she began at S.D.A Primary School, Erumnu and later finished at Ideal Girls School, Surulere, Lagos when she moved to live with her elder brother, Elder Onatunde. Due to some factors, she decided to learn a trade as a seamstress after her modern school education. She had her “freedom” in 1968. During this time, she lived with her sister Moyosore Fashina in Ife while working with Mr and Mrs Till, a missionary family at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Ile-Ife.
Although circumstances limited her western education attainment, Olubisi resolved never to be inferior to anyone. She covenanted with God to be financially independent and never to be subservient or dependent on anyone for means of livelihood. She was resolved to work hard at whatever she finds herself doing. She believed ardently in the adage “whatever your hands findeth to do, do it with all your might”
She worked as a seamstress, but shortly after her marriage she started a petty business. She also worked at the Military Hospital,Yaba, Lagos as a cleaning staff. With the arrival of children, she decided to work from home; as such she established a thriving and highly successful milling industry.
The milling industry at Oworonsoki, Lagos was very much blessed by God. The success was also expedited because of her neatness, meticulousness and thorough handling of the items that made customers come from far and near to have their items milled. She is reliable and emotionally connected with many of her customers whom she reached out to in various loving acts and concerns for their welfare. The testimony of her business is illustrated in the fact that on Saturdays, when most customers have the time for their millings, they would ignore other milling competitors around her shop who were idle and form a queue in front of her shop till she finally opens at 6:30pm in the evenings after Sabbath hours. Through her milling industry, she supported her husband to provide quality education for all her children and many relatives living with them.
After moving to Ibadan with her husband over fifteen years ago when she retired from her milling business, she continued petty trading which she still engages in till date to keep herself active.
Comfort Olubisi met her heartthrob, Pa Daniel Akinlove Solademi at a crusade in SDA church in Irefin Church. They got married on the 4th of September 1969 and are blessed with five successful children. The family has been a model and blessing to many individuals and families, churches and communities.
Mama as a wife is hardworking, she readily supported her husband’s dreams and career advancement. She held the home front during many years he travelled abroad or worked outside Lagos. When her husband was away for years, at different points in time the home was kept running seamlessly- no lack of food, clothes or school fees.
Comfort remained dutiful, loving and prayerful and strong companion to Daniel in his lifetime. Indeed, the Proverbs 31 woman is not a myth, not a simply hypothetical model for womanhood. She is alive; she is living among us; and we are priviledged to celebrate her today- Madam Comfort Olubisi Solademi.
Mama worked willingly with her hands, she rose up while it was yet night and gave meat to her household and a portion to her maidens. Mama successfully ran her milling industry comprising about seven machines (2 for pepper: electric and petrol engines), (2 for corn and millet: electric and petrol engines) (2 for yam flour-elubo), among others. She literally woke up in the night every 4:00am to cook and pray. She girdeth her loins with strength and strengthens her hands.
The bible promises that she shall rejoice in time to come (Prov 31:25). We are glad to experience the fulfilment of God’s promises in a mother clothed with honor and dignity. Indeed mama is not simply mother to her five biological children, she is mother to many. She brings and accepts into her home, in-laws, brothers, nephews, church members, friends of her children and indeed anyone who God puts on her path, needing a roof. Her children do not remember having less than ten children in the home at any point in time. Sometimes, they could be as many as fifteen children. All would share the same meals.
Whoever named Olubisi Comfort must have been a prophet - comforting, encouraging and supporting is the heart of her person, her call, her service to God and humanity. Indeed, Olubisi possesses the qualities of Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas (the son of consolation - Acts 4: 36)
God has worked through Comfort Olubisi Solademi to educate many who are not her biological children or even related by blood to her. She has set up business and skills acquisition to numerous women in the neighbourhood whom she observed were helpless, oppressed or neglected by husbands and circumstances. She gives seed money for business, connects them with networks that would build and support their businesses and she ensures the women educate their children.
Madam Olubisi Comfort Solademi takes deep interest in oppressed women. She visits, prays with them, invites them to her home and even at the expense of her family’s comfort. She cannot have a sound sleep when anyone around her is in dire need. She keeps nothing back in lending a helping hand.
Olubisi continues to maintain a vibrant prayer ministry, she has many prayer partners that she continually maintains prayer program with. Her children and others have experienced such miraculous answers to her prayers such that it is little wonder that prayer ministry is second nature to them. Olubisi Solademi cherished singing hymns “Sa to wo rere loluwa …” “Ojo n la lo jo ti mo yan … O dun ka gbekele Jesu …” are among her favourite hymns which she sings by heart. She has continued to contribute actively to the wellbeing of members and spiritual activities in Iyana Church SDA church in the last one and half decades. Neighbours in Monatan love her for her active interest in their welfare and her forthrightness.
The devil attempted severally to snatch this gift to humanity before her time, but great indeed is the faithfulness of our God! She experienced ectopic pregnancy, postpartum haemorrhage, 3 accidents, near blindness and back replacement surgery among other near misses.
The bible says that:
Strength and honour are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also praiseth her.....Give her the fruits of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (Prov 31: 10–31)
Madam Olubisi Comfort Solademi, you will eat the fruits of your labours and your works indeed praise you in the gates. We, your children, both biological and non-biological rise up and call you blessed!
To God be the glory
Comforting, encouraging and supporting others is at the heart of her life. She mentors women, supports small businesses and ensures children are educated. Her vibrant prayer ministry continues to bless families and the church.
“Strength and honour are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come... Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” — Proverbs 31:25–31