From late 60s, till the mid-2010s, Alhaja Kudirat Abike Adebisi Edionseri rocked the social circle to the fullest. From her Abeokuta fortress down to Lagos island, she was the amazon of social parties. Her picks were the deep Yoruba philosophical musicians of old, starting from late Alhaji Yussuf Olatunji, popularly known as Baba L’egba, to the Baba Commander, Chief Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, and capped it with the irrepressible fuji music genre creator, late Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.

The quite and shy businesswoman whose popularity shone with the nick-name Cash Woman, by her bank’s cashiers, but later turned to Cash Madam by Ebenezer Obey, lived a life only meant for the klieg lights. Alhaja Adebisi was one of the foremost renowned and successful business women in Nigeria, and by far, about the foremost woman in the whole of Egba Kingdom. She was also perhaps, the only woman with more than fifty different titles, both faith, social and traditional, to her name.

Late Madam Kudirat Adebisi Edionseri (Cash Madam)

According to records, Cash Madam, as she was later called, was born on 8th April, 1935 at Ibara, Abeokuta, to Pa Sanusi and Madam Sabitu Elegbede. She was fairly educated, but decided very early in her life to learn trading. She would later joined the services of John Holt in her early twenties and, together with her first husband, had working relationships with two other blue chip companies in Ijebu-Ode. In 1959, the couples were transferred to the political headquarters of the Western Region, Ibadan, where she later became a major distributor with the three companies.

She recollected how the name Cash Woman came to being in an interview, “anytime I took my sales’ proceeds to the bank, I would hire an ‘Alaru or Alabaru’ (load carrier) to help with the loading and offloading of the money, being mostly coins. Once inside the bank, no fewer than six cashiers and a room would be allotted for the counting of the money.

In her words: “John Ojomo, a lawyer from Owo, Adetunji Oladoyinbo, and Funke Fagbemi were the staff I used to meet at the bank most times. So whenever I came around I would tell them that I wanted to count my money. Since then, they named me ‘Cash Woman’ not ‘Cash Madam’ that everybody calls me now. She continued that the late Sakara musician, Yusuf Olatunji (Baba L’egba), in his volume 17 record had sang ‘Cash Woman’.’ It was Evang. Ebenezer Obey who changed it to ‘Cash Madam,’ because he didn’t know details about me then. So the real name is Cash Woman’ because I was the leader of the customers in those companies.”But just as she was fast approaching her 90th birthday, on Sunday, January 5, a member of her family, Dr Adebayo Adebowale suddenly pushed the announcement of her flight to the world beyond. She had been active up till January 3^rd, according to the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimat Salako-Oyedele. Dr. Adebowale had wrote: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un .

With deep gratitude to Allah for a life well-lived, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Princess Kadijat Abike Adebisi Edionseri (née Elegbede) (Cash Madam), who returned to her Creator on 5th January 2025 at the age of 89, following a brief illness”.

According to the statement, “her life was a shining example of grace, dignity, and unwavering faith. Princess Edionseri touched the lives of many through her wisdom, kindness, and dedication to both her family and her community. She taught us the importance of love, resilience, and faith in Allah, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations”. The family, while grieving the huge loss, did not however, forgot to celebrate the remarkable life she had lived. Her laughter, warmth, and the values she instilled will forever remain in our hearts, guiding us as we navigate life without her physical presence.

The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele condoled with the family.

Late Madam Kudirat Adebisi Edionseri (Cash Madam)

She wrote “with a heavy heart, but with gratitude to Almighty Allah for a life of impact and purpose, I join countless others in mourning the passing of a remarkable woman, Alhaja Kuburat Adebisi Edionseri at the age of 89 years. She leaves behind an indelible legacy as a successful businesswoman, a celebrated socialite, and a religious leader. She recounted her first meeting with the prominent socialite. “I had the privilege of meeting Mama in 2019 shortly after I became the Deputy Governor and moved next door to her home.

She graciously came over, introduced herself, and from that moment, she became more than a neighbour; she was a mother and a mentor. Her generosity was unparalleled; she was always sending thoughtful gifts, showering me with prayers, and extending invitations to me, a genuine reflection of her selfless, ageless spirit and warmth”.

According to Mrs Oyedele, “Mama was a trailblazer in every sense. She excelled in the business world, earning her the moniker “Cash Madam.” She was the first Iya Suna of Ogun State, a title reflecting her contributions to Islam. She was also honoured with numerous chieftaincy titles round the country. She recalled her vibrant presence at social gatherings and as a gracious host endeared her to many. Her influence extended far beyond her immediate circle, touching lives across the state and beyond.

The Deputy Governor said further that she saw her on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, and we shared a brief warm moment, unaware it would be our final meeting. Just a few months ago, we discussed plans for her 90th birthday, a milestone, I, like many others had eagerly anticipated, an opportunity to celebrate someone so dear to us. But Allah, in His infinite wisdom, had other plans.

With her death and burial the following day, according to Islamic rites, the curtains were drawn on the life of the Amazon of the social circle. The hitherto quite and shy lady, whose first reaction to the vinyl produced in 1972 by the legendary Baba L’egba where he profusely serenaded her was a despairing “a fi igba ti Baba yi ko mi sita” (And this man eventually exposed me). But by the turn of the 1975 upwards, she hardly can control the volume of her mentioning and serenading in both live plays and vinyl records. She has by then become the most celebrated woman socialite in the country.

With the passing of Baba L’egba in 1978, the baton was transferred to Chief Ebenezer Obey, and later Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister joined the leagues of praise singers.

Alagba Afolayan Adebiyi, reporting from Lagos, Nigeria

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Photo and video credit/ Alagba Afolayan/Google images.