By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The first FCT Head of Service, the late Mrs. Grace Adayilo has passed on to glory, but her good works still speak as Nigerians gathered at an evening of Service of Songs to eulogize and honour her for a life well spent in the service of humanity.
Hundreds of her colleagues and staff of the FCT, family and friends, church members, and well-wishers from communities gathered at LEA Primary School, Galadima, to celebrate the life and times of Mrs. Grace Adayilo, who was fondly called “Mama Africa “, to give testament to a woman who lived and gave her all for service and sacrifice.
57 year old, late Adayilo, made history as the first female Head of Civil Service for the FCTA.
She passed away on September 1, 2025, after a brief illness.
Those whose lives she touched testified that her legacy cannot be erased from the sands of time. Her concerns for widows can be likened to that of the biblical Dorcas who is remembered for empowering widows as she also mentored her colleagues.
Among those who paid glorious tribute at the night of songs on Friday, 19th September, 2025, were the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Administration, Mr. Samuel Atang, who praised her as a woman who “left no stone unturned in ensuring quality service delivery.”
He reminisces on their 25-year friendship: “Madam Grace was unassuming—so much so that I never knew she was a preacher until recently. She was humility personified.”
The Acting Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Nancy Nathan, with an emotive, voice, described late Adayilo as a mother to all, whose home became a pilgrimage site after her passing. That alone speaks volumes. Let her life challenge us: If death knocks today, what will our testimonies be?”
Former Plateau Deputy Governor Mrs. Pauline Tallen, who registered her presence, said,”Mama Africa was a politician with a mother’s heart.”
In a tearful tone, Mrs. Tallen reminisced about their work in the Buhari Campaign Organization (BCO). “Mama Africa had a heart wide enough to love without limits.”
She recounted Adayilo’s 2016 widows’ empowerment programme in her church, where over 500 women received food and hope.
“Her last call to me was a quiet farewell I didn’t recognize. Death is a thief,-but her impact is eternal.”
Bishop Sam Moses Tokora’s sermon was on the clarion call from Revelation 21: “Death is not the end but a transition. It knows every address—rich or poor, tall or short. What matters is how we use our fleeting time.”
He linked Adayilo’s legacy to Joseph of Arimathea’s grave gift to Jesus: “She gave her all. Can we say the same?”
Permanent Secretary, Common Services, Mr. Rotimi Ajayi read from Psalms 90 vs 1-7.
While the Acting Director, Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu read from 1 Thessalonica 4 vs 13-15
Earlier, other top FCTA functionaries performed readings from the Bible.
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