Taiye Anuwe

Taiye Oreka Oluwadimimu Anuwe, the older of a set of fraternal twins, was born to Grace and Ayodele Anuwe in Zaria, Kaduna State on the 14th of July 1974. Growing up, she lived in different towns especially in the north of Nigeria as her father, a policeman was often transferred from place to place. 

Taiyelolu was an animated, happy and friendly child who loved being outdoors to play with friends.

She began her primary school education in Therbow Nursery & Primary School Zaria. When her father was transferred to Malumfashi, Katsina State, she then attended ABU Staff School Malumfashi for 1 year. From there her family moved to Dutsin-Ma, then to Mani and then Daura all in a space of about 2 years. Taiye returned to Therbow School Zaria to complete her primary school education. Taiyelolu attended junior secondary school at Aunty Ayo Preparatory School, Ikoyi Lagos. She always fondly remembered her time there. Taiye completed her secondary school at GSS Afon in Kwara State. 

University saw her following in the steps of two of her older siblings and several cousins. She attended the great Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. There, she made lifelong friends some of who became like sisters.

Taiyelolu was always a loyal and dedicated hard-worker. For her mandatory one-year youth service, she served in Calabar. She returned to Lagos and began work with GTE, a telecommunications firm. She then moved on to Vmobile and Celtel. In 2009, Taiye travelled to the UK to pursue an MBA in Heriot-Watt University, Birmingham Campus. Thereafter, she worked at Financial Ombudsman, London. Her last job was with Mercy Global.

Before she left Nigeria, Taye worshipped first at Christ Chapel, then at Household of God where she served in the Publications Department. Her church was Winners Chapel in the UK and she served in the Children's Church.

The tapestry of Taye's life was woven through and through by the deep friendships that she made wherever she was. Quality people. Some became practically family. Taiye attracted such personalities because that was who she was too.

Love for family. This was Taiye. Love to better others. This was Taiye. Love to give and give. Love to protect. This was Taiye. Taiye was the family calendar. She never forgot birthdays of siblings, nieces and nephews or even friends. On the morning she went to be with her saviour, she had sent reminders about a family birthday. 

Although she didn't have children of her own, she was a precious aunty to many nieces and nephews who she doted on.

Taye was married for 9 years.

As Taye became older, she became bolder and more blunt. She did have her struggles. For a couple of years, she had health challenges that tried to take her out of living a full life but she kept running her race the best way she knew how. Also, some traumatic childhood experiences were difficult for her to overcome and these troubled her especially in the last few years of her life. In many ways, Taiyelolu reached out to people so that they would not experience what she did. She particularly looked out for children. 

Taye's generosity is one of the first and deepest traits anyyone would notice about her. She gave to God first of all, then she gave to people. Then there was her love for long and deep conversations. Many of these were lively and animated conversations that were interjected with deep belly laughter that was so characteristically Taye. 

Taiye died unexpectedly on the 12th of April, 2022. She was found kneeling beside her bed. She had been praying when she went to be with her saviour who she often talked about and who she often asked to come quickly.

How would one describe Taiyelolu Oreka Oluwadimimu Anuwe again? Several adjectives come to mind: loyal, generous, passionate, blunt, bold, prayerful, stubborn, lover of God, empathetic, introspective, intercessor, beautiful, quiet, reserved, kind, hardworking, intelligent, expressive, dreamer-girl... Our Taiyelolu was a exceptionally rare gem and we will miss her immensely.