Its sad indeed. Last Friday, the remains of Mrs. Diekolola Osa Avielele was buried in Virginia, United States Of America.
Her life came to an abrupt halt at 44 years on July 19, 2020.
A close family source disclosed that Osa-Avielele died on Thursday, July 16, 2020, barely a week after the birth of her son. The baby is said to be alive and in good condition
“She was married for 10 years and didn’t have a child. Of course, Diekola had done all to become a mother and succeeded with the last Invitro Fertilisation (IVF) she had via a popular IVF centre in Lagos. She travelled abroad to have the baby, only for her to die a week after childbirth,” the family source revealed.
Diekolola was the second daughter of Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, the former governor of Kwara State and ex-Communication Minister, and the late Chief Elizabeth Adebayo.
She is survived by her husband, Osa Avielele, her five siblings—Bukola Ajayi, Mosunmola Jegede, Abimbola Dayo Adewoye, Ayobola Toyosi Thomas.
A force to be reckoned with in the event planning industry, she would be greatly missed by colleagues and other vendors who haven’t come to terms that Diekola is dead.
The boss of Cedarwood Group, Diekola was also the brain behind D’Venue Event Centre in Lagos and Abuja. If not for her death, she would have opened another two huge Marquee Event Centres in Lagos. However, many haven’t stopped admiring her new marquee at Surulere.
Cedarwood boss is the first importer of Chiavari Chairs in Nigeria. Though young, she is a philanthropist per excellence and a great Christian and a passionate businesswoman. She is also the brain behind the Cedarwood Foundation, which helps to assist with the education of the less privileged.
Despite being so generous, she didn’t like to blow her trumpet.
Late Diekola spent all her growing up years in Ilorin, Kwara State. Her primary, secondary and tertiary institution was in Ilorin. She graduated with a degree in Law (BL). She then went to Abuja Campus of Nigeria Law School.
She later went to Howard University, School of Law, Washington DC, USA for her LLM (Master in Law). She worked as an In-House Lawyer at the Otunba Michael Agbolade Adenuga’s Globacom in 2004 and later moved to Conoil Producing, still owned by same billionaire, also as an in house lawyer.
She later left there to start Cedarwood and built an enviable brand.
Her burial service held on Friday in the US and a celebration of life service also held in Lagos on Thursday.
Taking to Instagram, popular event planner, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe wrote of her friend:
“Hmmm hmmmm 2020 hmmmmhmmmm.
Dieko can’t believe i will be writing this for you , especially as I just posted about losing my friend yesterday .
We met 20 years ago In Nig law school Bwari and we became friends , colleagues, client and vendor all in one .
@zapphaire_events planned almost every event in your family from your 2 sisters weddings to your brother’s wedding and your mum’s funeral .
You were always recommending us and we in turn ensured that when @cedarwoodrental and @dvenueeventscentre began we returned the favor as best we could ..
I can’t believe this honestly , it’s like we just can’t catch a break . Once I think it’s time to take it easy and be happy , another one hits close to home ..
We are or were just trying to deal with Ibidunni’s and now this .…….
Rest In Peace Dieko , sleep well and finally you rest …..
I’m numb sha , I’m still confused and I’m tired but I know that God is still on the throne .(sic)”