Iyetade Soyinka, precious mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin,and niece; was born in Ibadan, Nigeria on June 6, 1965 to Chief Mrs. Olayide Soyinka (Iyalode, Omu Ijebu) and Prof. Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate). She became loving mom to her daughter, Oreofe and son, Adeoto. Iyetade passed away at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, after a brief and unexpected illness on Saturday Dec 28, 2013.
Iyetade our own Verity, was a poet and artiste, who embraced the interior shores of life with a a depth of perception, courage and understanding few people will ever know. She initially commenced her studies at the University of Ibadan. However, she eventually moved to England where she left the sciences altogether and began to explore the world of theater and writing before returning to Nigeria. Iyetade cared deeply and generously for those shunned by society. She scorned the vain, discarded hypocrisies, rejected the limelight and sought to live a life of depth and truth. Iyetade fought fiercely for those she loved and touched our lives with her heart, her incredibly creative mind, her dreams, and her wit.
Through her encounter with her Lord Jesus Christ while in high school, she opened the gates for others in the family. Now, she has been ushered first into the presence of God.
Darling Yetade, we love you beyond expression, we miss you beyond imagination, we are forever thankful that you shared these 48 years of your tough life's journey with us. You have left the world a beautiful legacy in your daughter, Oreofe and your son, Adeoto.
Rest now our own beloved Iyetade.
Iyetade Soyinka is survived by her daughter Oreofe, and her Son, Adeoto; her mother, Chief Mrs. Olayide Soyinka, (Iyalode of Omu-Ijebu and former University Librarian of the Ogun State University); her father, Professor Wole Soyinka; her sisters and brothers: Olaokun Soyinka, Morenike Soyinka, Moremi Soyinka-Onijala, Peyibomi Soyinka-Airewele, Ilemakin Soyinka, Amani Soyinka, Tunlewa Soyinka, Bojode Soyinka and Eniara Soyinka; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and brothers-in-law.