Growing old isn’t always easy, especially in Lagos. The city will always have the hustle and bustle, but you cannot always keep up the way that you used to. Not keeping up means less social interaction, less time with cherished friends and family, and less of what makes you, you.

We know this intimately as we saw our beloved mother and grandmother, Ayo “Sister Ayus” (pictured to the right) grow old. Outliving most of her sisters, friends, and many cousins, she relied on her husband as well as her many loving visitors and “omos” (extended family and family friends) for social interaction. As she grew older, and less able to attend the parties and festivities of Lagos life, her energy waned. After such limited social interaction, which was made worse by the global pandemic, we lost her in 2022.

We created the Iyaniwura Elders’ Oasis social club to bring joy, female friendship, and zest of life to the beloved mamas and grandmas of Lagos. As we know, so many of the grandpas still have activities they attend to, whether it’s a social club, recreational club, or old students associations. What about our grandmas?

Iyaniwura Elders' Oasis was created to honor the cherished memory of Ayodele Fanimokun Gbajumo and her beloved Fanimokun Sisters. Although we were not able to bring Iyaniwura to life at a time that Ayo and her sisters could have enjoyed it, we strive to honor their legacy by creating a beautiful community that embodies love, respect, and joy for generations to come.