The Phenomenal Lifestyle of Bisi ‘Cash Madam’ Edionseri (1935-2025)

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

The world of high society and tabloid headlines bid farewell to elegantly good looking Chief (Mrs.) Adebisi Khadijah Abike Edionseri, who passed away at the age of 89 on Sunday January 6, 2025 — a few months to her April’s 90th birthday.

As one of the early front runners, the wealthy businesswoman and iconic socialite was on the Nigerian social scene for over six decades. Dubbed ‘Cash Madam,’ by Juju music legend Ebenezer Obey in the early 1970s —though as far back as the 1960s, Sakara music maestro Yusuf Olatunji used to call her ‘Abike Cash Woman’.

The deceased gained media attention as one of Nigeria’s most glamorous and celebrated society women. She was the definition of colourful and flamboyant. She epitomized every inch of sophisticated royalty. The high class woman loved life and rocked the social scenes to the envy of many back then. No party worthy of its onion if she was not in attendance. All these made her a tabloid fixture.

Till her passing last weekend, the Octogenarian business titan possessed all that gave her fame and recognition all her life. Even at the advanced age of 89, Edionseri still attended parties hosted by her many affluent associates —including the 70th birthday of Chief Fassy Yusuf in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Friday January 3. At those parties, she displayed her knack for high fashion as not a few continued to gape at her choice of clothes and diamond jewelries. Even her love for expensive fragrances stood her out.

For her, life must be enjoyed to the hilt and indeed, Madam Edionseri rocked till her last breath in her palatial mansion in GRA Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Otunba Abayomi Odunowo —one of her seven children— confirmed her peaceful passing. He described her last moments as peaceful, noting that they had spent a joyful holiday together before her sudden passing in the early days of the New Year.

Her remains were on Monday, January 6 committed to mother earth precisely at 4pm, according to Islamic rites, inside her palatial residence in Abeokuta.

At the well-attended funeral, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun expressed how devastated he was when he heard the news of Cash Madam. He recalled that the deceased was still with him on Thursday January 2 at a wedding ceremony and was very active.

The Governor added that late Edinoseri was even reminding him of her forthcoming 90th birthday in April which he equally promised to ensure Ogun State Government play major role to make the birthday remarkable. Not knowing that she won’t live to witness the birthday.

Born on April 8, 1935 to Pa Sanusi and Madam Sabintu Elegbede at Ibara, Abeokuta. She was fairly educated but decided early in life to learn trading and later started her business with an initial capital of £25 —a gift from her late dad. With her charismatic personality and sharp business sense, she managed to build a brand that transcends borders. It is no exaggeration to say that since she’s in her 30s by the late 1970s, she had been a multi-millionaire.

The amazing woman of substance has been around like forever as the limelight loved her and she basked in it till the very end. While the exact circumstances surrounding her death remain private, her life —a whirlwind of extravagant wealth, famously altered appearance at parties, and dramatic, extensive philanthropic gestures— continues to fascinate and intrigue.

Her kindness and unflinching generosity were legendary. Many musicians benefitted from her largesse at the time —notably was Sakara music legend, Yusuf Olatunji. There was an extract from his most popular album of all times: Yusufu Olatunji’s Volume 17; titled, ‘Yegede’.

Yegede!

Won o ge o!

Ese ti e ni won ge la fi n rin yi o!

Adebisi ni o je oooooooooooooo

In the referenced terrifically soulful track, Olatunji, popularly known as Baba L’egba acknowledged the role played by Cash Madam for ensuring that he didn’t become an amputee. The wealthy and influential Edionseri had facilitated the treatment of the Sakara Maestro’s legs at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital [LUTH], Idi-Araba, Lagos; and paid the bills in full.

Cash Madam, who was more like a daughter to Olatunji, stood by him during his legs travails. When Baba L’egba hinted her of his intention to wax a record in her honour in appreciation of her good turns, she blatantly refused a recompense. But the ace musician still go ahead to show his appreciation in another album in 1973. And when the album was eventually released in 1973, the then 38-year old Adebisi reportedly exclaimed: “Afi igbati Baba yi ko mi sita!”

But Cash Madam’s untiring philanthropic gestures were not limited to those in the creative world as she provided support for all kinds of people especially young deprived people through her scholarship scheme for primary, secondary and university education —and even for post-graduate studies within and outside Nigeria.

The Iya Suna also impacted various religious bodies and humanity in general with various humanitarian causes like hospital projects, educational development projects within schools and universities, religious projects, etc.

Edionseri also contributed immensely to the development of social life in her native, Abeokuta. She was a foundation member of Abeokuta Sports Club. Her membership number is Nos. 33. The iconic socialite implored all Egba indigenes to join the club —one of his sons later headed the Club as one of the past Presidents. After the success of Abeokuta Sports Club, the late Cash Madam played a significant role —alongside late Alake, Oba Oyebade Mofolorunsho Lipede— in the setting up of another prestigious elitist club in Egbaland, the Abeokuta Club with the initial meeting held in her old mansion at 121 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos.

A great woman with grace, class and panache, the late Cash Madam had a beautiful spirit. In the iconic album, ‘Board Members’ released by Ebenezer Obey in 1972, the legendary musician devoted nearly 5 minutes in the 19:30-minute album to the late Cash Madam. The lyrics —Bisilola Edionseri…Cash madam ni…Bisilola Edionseri…Cash madam ni… —have long echoed in the hearts of Nigerians, celebrating a figure whose story became larger than life and influence stretched beyond the streets of Nigeria and into the hearts of many across generations.

Cash Madam was not just a name, it was a symbol of entrepreneurial spirit, generosity, and leadership. Her natural flair for fashion and her ability to connect with people quickly earned her a reputable position in the society and it’s no gainsaying that her legacy will lingers for a very long time.