You are welcome to this blogspot that has been set up to celebrate the life of one of the greatest women God ever created - Mrs Rita Bose Shadare (nee Ajayi).
Rita (Pastor Bose) was born on the 28th of November, 1965 in Ibadan, Nigeria to Dr Felix Ajayi and Mrs Grace Ajayi who both hailed from Edo State, Nigeria. Shortly after she was born in 1965, her parents travelled to Liverpool in the United Kingdom for further studies which meant that they did not see their daughter until she was 13years old.
In the intervening period, Rita was brought up by her grandmother and uncles and aunts, whilst her parents went ahead to produce other siblings - Joseph, Modupe and Paul.
Rita had a wonderful childhood inspite of being brought up in her formative years by her grandmother. She did not lack adequate and loving parental care. Surrounded by many relatives, she hardly felt the absence of her parents.
She had her early education in Benin City. She attended Anglican Girls Grammar School, Benin and also Federal Government College, Benin. She did her advanced levels at the Federal School of Arts & Science, Ondo, where she ended up as one of the top students in her set.
She eventually proceeded to the University of Benin where she studied Zoology, graduating in 1987 with almost a first class. She missed it by small notches to graduate with a Second Class Upper. She did her National Youth Service in IITA, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Following the completion of her youth service, she briefly worked at IITA before proceeding to Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma where she lectured briefly. Her stint at AAU, Ekpoma did not last long, as she was later to move to Lagos to start a career in Tourism. She was initially engaged by The Guardian Newspapers as a Special Projects Executive before she moved to Iberia Airlines Nigeria as Ticketing/Reservation Officer.
She moved to Kano to open the Branch office of Iberia Airlines in 1991 and from there she got married to her hearthrob, Gbenga Shadare. Whilst in Kano, she was very active in her local church - New Generation Bible Church - under the leadership of Bishop Godwin Elomobor. She served the church in various departments as a worker. She was very active in the prayer band as one of the intercessors (this is where her intercessory gifts were honed) and she formed many healthy friendships whilst there.
In 1993 she moved with her family to Lagos and this is when she became a Banker and a finance guru. In the course of her stay in Lagos, she worked in a number of financial institutions including Champion Mortgage Bank, Royal Investment Finance Ltd, Regent Bank, Magnum Trust Bank and Sterling Bank.
She also earned an MBA as well as Certificates in Chartered Banking and the Institute of Capital Market Registrars. She was actually one of the best graduating students in her set in ICMR.
She was ordained a Pastor of the Radiant Christian Life Centre in 1996. Her husband had been ordained a Pastor of the same ministry years early. She played several active roles as the Deputy Women Leader and Head of the Intercessory group of the church. (She, her husband- Pastor Gbenga Shadare and Bishop & Rev Mrs Emma Omon - were actually the founding members of the church and ministry which has now grown to become of the leading and fastest growing ministries in Nigeria and West Africa).
Pastor Bose was blessed with four lovely children - Aanuoluwapo, Ayoninuoluwa, Olaoluwasubomi and Tiirenioluwa who are left, along with her husband, parents, siblings and other relatives to mourn her.
She was known in her lifetime to be a woman of prayer, a woman of integrity, a woman of faith and a great leader. Known for her trademark smile, Pastor Bose (Rita) was a real mother in Israel to many. She was renown for her generousity, kindness and compassion. She was a great giver and her largeness of heart is legendary.
A widely travelled woman, she won several awards in all the places she worked. She won awards for her diligence, honesty and industry. She also attended several courses locally and abroad.
Her faith in God and her legacy of service and unwavering commitment to the Kingdom of God are real qualities to emulate in her short life. She lived a truly worthy Christian life.
Her marriage was a great success and her influence on her kids have been applauded by those who knew her intimately. She participated in several prayers sessions, intercessions and fastings for those in need. She was also a great preacher of the gospel.
This woman of many parts was afflicted with colon cancer and in the early hours of July 5, 2007, she went home to be with the Lord.
She has been sorely missed since then by her husband, children, siblings, parents, and other relatives, friends and acquaintances. But her legacy and good memories lives on and though she is missed a great deal, our solace is in her exemplary life of honesty, truthfulness, kindness, and dogged service to God. These qualities makes her a true saint of God and that is why we thank God for His word in Psalm 116 verse 15 which says - "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints!"
Our sweetheart Rita was so precious to God, she was called home shortly before her 42nd birthday.
May her gentle soul continue to rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord.
