December 01, (THEWILL) – Charis Grace Onabowale, the founder of popular Lagos eatery, Mama Cass, is dead. She died late last month at the age of 76.
Her death sent shock waves across the hospitality industry in Nigeria, as well as among her friends and close family members who witnessed how vibrant she was during her 75th birthday celebration in 2023.
Her burial arrangements began on Wednesday November 27th with a service of songs. She will be committed to mother earth this weekend. She left behind four children. Half British, Charis was married to a Nigerian medical practitioner, the late Tunde Onabowale.
During her lifetime, she was a very private person. Not even her success made her step out of the borderline. Those who shared a close relationship with her attest to her humility and entrepreneurial spirit, which has rubbed off positively on her children. Charis opened the first Mama Cass Restaurant at Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos in November 1983.
The first outlet carried for the first time the brand “Mama Cass Cafeteria”. Mama Cass Restaurants later became a chain of about 14 quick service restaurants in Lagos and expanded its service locations to other parts of the country, including Ogun, Edo, the Federal Capital Territory and also in the United Kingdom.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
