The Late Mrs Abosede Ransome Kuti and her late husband, Dr Beko Ransome Kuti

By Femi Falana

The late Dr. Bekololari Ransome-kuti had lived a life of activism. As a young medical doctor in the 1980s he was in the forefront of the campaign of the Nigerian Medical Association for quality health care for the Nigerian people. He was also involved in the prodemocracy struggle  under the defunct military junta.  When Miss  Abosede Folasade Wagboje informed her family members and  friends that Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti had proposed to marry her they kicked against  it. The fear was that her intended husband might be regularly detained or even killed by the military dictators. However, when  Abosede informed them that her mind was made up on the matter they wished her success. Even though the marriage had challenges it turned out to be a successful one. The marriage was blessed with two lovely daughters- Funmi and Lande.

Of course, as an activist in her own right, Abosede had no difficulty coping with Beko’s complex lifestyle.  On many occasions the family residence at 6, Imaria Street, Anthony Village, Lagos was violently invaded and raided by armed goons because it served as the headquarters of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and Campaign for Democracy which coordinated the prodemocracy organisations  at the material time. Both organisations  were led by Dr. Ransome-Kuti.   It was also the office of Fela Anikulapo’s Egypt 80 Band which was also managed by Dr. Ransome-Kuiti. It is remarkable to note that Mrs Ransome- Kuti  never discouraged her husband from hosting the meetings of the opponents of military dictators. In particular, the family extended solidarity to all comrades. It was the same hospitality that was extended to the of the Nigerian Medical Association.

Mr Femi Falana (middle) with the children of the deceased Funmi and Lande Ransome Kuti during Bosede’s funeral

Since Beko passed on almost 12 years ago,  Mrs Ransome-Kuti had acted as a rallying point for the family.  She was friendly, caring  and motherly. Hence, she was well loved and respected by all members of the Kuti family. Notwithstanding that her husband was an atheist Mrs Ransome-Kuti took her religion very seriously.  She was a committed member of the Fountain of Life at Ilupeju Industrial  Street, Lagos. As a prayer warrior Mrs Ransome-Kuti usually assured me that all our comrades “are covered with the blood of Jesus Christ.”

She was a passionate believer in climate change. Instead of organising an owambe party  to celebrate her 70th birthday in January 2015 she decided to plant 70 trees. For Mrs Ransome-Kuti, tree planting has social, economic and health benefits and is a key policy for a “Green Lagos.” She was joined by family members, friends and well wishers who sponsored a tree each. She distributed the proceeds from the sales of the 70 trees to four charity homes: Echoes of Mercy and Hope Foundation, Child Care Social Services, Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care & Treatment Home and Tunji Adebayo Foundation. 

As a close family friend I was informed sometime in December 2018, that Mrs Ransome-Kuti had to undergo surgery for brain tumour. Because of the comatose state of medical centres in the country I  suggested that she be flown abroad for the surgery. But Professor Boniface Oye-Adeniran, one of Beko’s friends assured me that the operation could be successfully carried out at  the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. I had no cause to doubt his assurance since he was then a professor and Consultant in the hospital. Apart from the professionalism exhibited by the team of doctors who were assembled to handle the case they believed that they had a duty to show appreciation to the memory of Dr. Ransome-Kuti who was a former Chairman of the Board of the Hospital. Happily, the surgery was successful. 

Since she was discharged a year ago, Mrs Ransome-Kuti’s recovery has been remarkable. When Dr. Ore Falomo passed on in November 2019,  I rushed to his house to  commiserate with the family. I was surprised to see Mrs Ransome-kuti in the house. She had walked down from her Imaria residence to Dr. Falomo’s house at Bush Street, Anthony Village, Lagos, a distance of about 200 metres to pay her condolence visit.  We chatted as I was delighted at her level of recovery. I was therefore taken aback when I was informed a fortnight later that she had passed on at the age of 74 years. She was said to have had respiratory crisis.  In consoling Lande who had called me to break the sad news all I could say was: “And she fought so courageously to live after the surgery”.