My First Close Encounter With Late Adebisi Edioseri (Cash Madam) – By Olamilekan Shobowale
The most beautiful people I’ve known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. ~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
It’s indeed not a very good time for the family of Edioseri, Odunowo, and Elegbede with the loss of their matriarch and a “Golden Mother”, Late Alhaja Adebisi Khadijat Edioseri popularly called “Cash Madam .”
As a young boy who grew up in Abeokuta , the Ogun State capital, who since his boyhood (if there is anything like that) had shown interest in what goes on around him , the name “Cash Madam” continue to be a recuring decimal and lives in my consciousness.
My first knowledge of Mama Edioseri was at the time, I briefly worked with an ace broadcaster, Alhaji Adebayo Agbabiaka, who at the time was at Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) in the early 2000, precisely 2003 to 2006.
Agbabiaka is one of the then popular yoruba compere, with his partner, Biodun Ogundipe of the then Ogun State Television (OGTV), who now resides in United Kingdom, and at the the time, the duo were known across the state for anchoring social events across the state.
It was at the point that on one of the social events at Ilaro that I first met with Cash Madam, who was at the event chaired the occasion.
I was so glad then as a very young student journalist , to have known such a big time socialite , who I had over the years and time read on the pages of newspapers, had on broadcast stations and also on celebrity magazines. At the event, she was never disappointed as Agbabiaka and Ogundipe left Ilaro with pockets full of Naira notes courtesy, Cash Madam.
Since that day, at any social events, I have always tried to look out for Cash Madam, if not for anything, her elegance, beauty even at old age and most of the time she arrived events with convoy of women.
Years after, I met with a brother and mentor, Donald Odunowo, who is a step-son to Cash Madam in Ijebu Ode.
My close encounter with Cash Madam came few years after my meeting with Donald Odunowo. It was at the naming ceremony of a newborn baby of Donald Odunowo at Ijebu Ode. That very day, Donald has contacted me to assist in coverage of the ceremony, knowing fully well that I’m a journalist and can also handle a camera effectively.
At the event, Cash Madam was attending to her guests who had come to celebrate with her on the occasion of her stepson naming ceremony. I was at close by taking some shots, especially of Cash Madam serving her guests. She saw me and was so angered that she seized my camera.
That day, I was so happy even though not pleased that my camera was seized, but at least I got close to her and can have a better understanding of who she was. I then called his stepson, Donald, to help appeal to her, but out of respect, he said, “haaa, Shobo, I can’t go talk to her ooo, let me call Otunba to help us appeal to her.” Otunba Yomi Odunowo is a son to Mama, and he later talked to her mother, and Cash Madam released the camera to me, but not until she had collected the tape from me.
From all that happened that day, what I learnt was, not all you see, you reported even as a journalist. I later understand that day, that the thought of Cash Madam was, I might go and make the video go viral of where she was serving her guests and such might not be too good for her reputation.
After then, I got close to the family and always spends time each time I visit Ijebu Ode.
Mama was a good mother, very protective and always ready to assist. She is a very good example of “Abiyamo per Excellence”. Even at old age, she never compromised elegance, style, taste and quality. I’m so happy, at least I knew her while she lived and not that I only read her on pages of newspapers or celebrity stories.
Goodnight, Iya Sunah of Egbaland, Alhaja Khadijat Adebisi Edioseri..
Olamilekan Shobo Shobowale, a journalist and President, Ogun State Solidarity Movement writes from Abeokuta
