The remains of late Mrs Janet Bandele,also known as, American Mama, have been committed to mother earth. She was buried at her family compound in Boji-Boji,Owa, Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State. The burial rites of the matriarch of the Bandele family took place from Friday, December 16 to Sunday, December 18, 2022
Mrs. Janet Bandele was born in March, 1929 to the union of Nmorkuye and Alizor. Her parents were subsistence farmers, and they worked hard to make ends meet. Mrs. BANDELE did not get a formal education but learned the training of a midwife. She later married Mr. Lawrence Bandele and they migrated to Obazagbon-Nugu. Their union produced four boys and three girls.
She made a career in holistic medicine. She cared for pregnant women up to their delivery, and provided aftercare treatment and recovery. She also performed circumcision of new babies and adults patients. She was renowned for using native herbs and medicines to treat the sick. Her greatest attribute was her quest for an upward mobility and to eradicate poverty from her family. Even though she did not get a formal education, she saw education as a gateway to prosperity.
She worked tirelessly to raise her son, Peter through school. Peter eventually graduated and worked as a teacher in Abavo . Mrs. Bandele’s junior brother, John never forgot the good deeds of her sister. He sponsored Peter’s travel to the United States of America. Peter later took his brother Israel and their parents to the United States. Mrs Bandele was an epitome of a supportive wife, a caring mother, and a philanthropist to many people known and unknown. She was a kind and loving mother to all. She would say, “I love you” to anyone she met. Her benevolence and positive affirmation earned her the nickname, ” I love u mama!”
Mama gave her life to Christ and she was baptized and she was a dedicated member of Christ the Solid Rock Voice of Fire Ministry before she died. Mrs. Bandele transited on September 2021 . She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, nieces and many friends.
In his tribute, an American based educationist and grand son of the deceased, Dr Chuks Bandele said, “My late grandmother was a woman of integrity. She was very very family oriented she is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that the family is counting. She made alot of sacrifices in her life in the sense that she didn’t really get any formal education but she knew the the importance of education and so she made it her duty to educate her son “my father”and after his education he got the opportunity to go to the U.S.From that instant, that created a pathway for the family to be financially stable and very successful.So, she is a great mother, caring and loving mother. She was not self centered,most importantly, she made alot of sacrifices for the family.”