…Eminent Nigerians converge on Ibadan to celebrate Mrs. Moyomade Bolatito Ojo-Lanre’s distinguished career in education
IBADAN — It was an impressive gathering of distinguished Nigerians, family members, friends, professional colleagues and well-wishers at the Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, as Mrs. Moyomade Bolatito Ojo-Lanre was celebrated on her birthday and retirement from active service after a distinguished career in education.
The colourful birthday and pen-down celebration held at Dapo Aderogba Hall, NUJ Press Centre attracted prominent personalities from politics, diplomacy, academia, entertainment, hospitality, media and other sectors, with speaker after speaker paying glowing tribute to Mrs. Ojo-Lanre for her discipline, devotion to education, commitment to family and decades of service to society.
Among the dignitaries were former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi; Senator Abdulfatai Omotayo Buhari; Mrs. Toyin Adaramodu, wife of Senator Yemi Adaramodu; renowned actor and thespian Yomi Fash-Lanso; Prof. Babalola Wasiu Adeyemo, President, Hotel Management and Tourism, Atiba University; and Mr. Ayo Ogundele, President of the Oyo State Hoteliers Association, Mogaji Soladoye Adewole, Mogaji Cosmos Olalekan Oni, Oyo NUJ Chairman Comrade Akeem Abass, Mr Sunday Olajide ,Pastor Funsho Fafowora, Monica Taiwo, Dapo Falade among several other eminent personalities.
Mrs. Ojo-Lanre, an educationist who began her professional teaching career at Apata Grammar School, Apata, Ibadan, bowed out of active service as Principal of Oyalami Community Grammar School, Orita Challenge, Ibadan.
The celebration provided an opportunity not only to mark her birthday and retirement but also to reflect on a life that successfully combined the demanding responsibilities of teaching, school administration, motherhood and family life.
In his remarks, Senator Abdulfatai Omotayo Buhari described the Ojo-Lanre family as one deserving of honour and celebration.
The Senator spoke warmly about the exceptional character of Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, Esq., noting that his respect and affection for him made attendance at the ceremony particularly important.
According to him, he had already made travel arrangements before learning about the event but had to alter his ticket and schedule in order to be physically present.
For Senator Buhari, such a decision reflected the value he placed on friendship, loyalty and relationships built over the years. He congratulated Mrs. Ojo-Lanre for her successful career and for providing the strong family support necessary for her husband to pursue an active life of journalism, law, public service and tourism development.
Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, similarly paid an emotional tribute to the celebrant, describing her as much more than a wife to Wale Ojo-Lanre.
Farounbi commended Mrs. Ojo-Lanre for being a mother, sister, companion and dependable pillar to her husband and family, while particularly praising her patience, understanding and tolerance through the different phases of their journey together.
The veteran broadcaster and diplomat, who had just returned from the United States, said his longstanding love, respect and relationship with the Ojo-Lanre family made his presence at the celebration imperative.
He noted that behind many successful public figures are spouses who make enormous sacrifices away from public attention, adding that Mrs. Ojo-Lanre deserved to be celebrated for sustaining her home while simultaneously building a successful professional career of her own.
Mrs. Toyin Adaramodu praised the celebrant for her strength of character, humility and devotion to family values.
She described Mrs. Ojo-Lanre’s journey as a shining example of the enormous contribution women make both within their families and in the larger society, particularly through education, mentorship and the nurturing of younger generations.
Celebrated thespian Yomi Fash-Lanso described Mrs. Ojo-Lanre as a true and dependable wife — an “Iyawo gidi” — whose support for her husband and devotion to her family had been evident over the years.
He congratulated her for successfully navigating the responsibilities of marriage, motherhood and a demanding career in education, observing that reaching the pinnacle of her profession as a school Principal while sustaining a strong family was itself worthy of celebration.
Also speaking, Prof. Babalola Wasiu Adeyemo, President, Hotel Management and Tourism, Atiba University, commended Mrs. Ojo-Lanre for a career defined by discipline, intellectual growth and commitment to human development.
He noted that education remains one of the strongest instruments for shaping society and described the celebrant’s progression from classroom teacher to Principal as evidence of perseverance, professional competence and leadership.
Prof. Adeyemo further observed that retirement after decades of service should not be seen as an end, but as an opportunity to deploy accumulated experience in mentoring younger professionals and contributing to society in new ways.
President of the Oyo State Hoteliers Association, Mr. Ayo Ogundele, congratulated the celebrant on what he described as a fulfilling professional journey, noting that retirement after decades of meritorious service should be regarded as a moment of thanksgiving and accomplishment.
He said the impressive gathering at the Press Centre reflected the goodwill the Ojo-Lanre family had cultivated across professional and social circles over the years.
In a particularly touching family tribute, Bukky Ojo-Lanre, Esq., described Mrs. Moyomade Ojo-Lanre as an exceptional mother whose philosophy of parenting rests firmly on three pillars — discipline, education and values.
She noted that Mrs. Ojo-Lanre never compromised on the proper upbringing and education of her children, insisting that discipline and sound values were indispensable foundations for responsible adulthood.
Her testimony offered guests a glimpse beyond the retired Principal and public celebrant into the private world of a mother whose influence has been deeply felt within her family.
Speaker after speaker acknowledged that Mrs. Ojo-Lanre’s story was particularly remarkable because she did not allow marriage and motherhood to halt her personal and professional development.
Having obtained her degree in Chemistry Education from Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, she later returned to academic pursuit and obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 2016.
She rose steadily through the Oyo State teaching service from classroom teacher to Principal before retiring in 2026 from Oyalami Community Grammar School, Orita Challenge, Ibadan.
The event was characterised by goodwill messages, reminiscences, laughter, music, dancing and expressions of gratitude as friends, colleagues and family members celebrated a woman many described as disciplined, accommodating, resilient and deeply committed to education.
For Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, Esq., the celebration was also a moment to appreciate a woman who has shared his journey through the years, providing stability at home while pursuing an equally demanding professional career.
The impressive turnout of personalities from different walks of life transformed what could ordinarily have been a simple retirement ceremony into a celebration of friendship, family, service and enduring relationships.
At the centre of it all, however, was Mrs. Moyomade Bolatito Ojo-Lanre — the teacher who rose to become a Principal; the educationist who continued learning even while teaching others; the wife and mother whose family testified to her discipline and values; and the public servant who bowed out after decades devoted to moulding young minds.
It was, indeed, more than a pen-down ceremony.
It was a celebration of a career fulfilled, a family nurtured, friendships sustained and a life of service worthy of honour.
