…Eminent Nigerians converge on Ibadan to celebrate Mrs. Moyomade Bolatito Ojo-Lanre’s distinguished career in education
. It was a gathering of distinguished Nigerians, family members, friends, professional colleagues and well-wishers at the Dapo Aderogba Hall, NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, as Mrs. Moyomade Bolatito Ojo-Lanre celebrated her birthday and retirement from active service after a distinguished career in education.
The colourful birthday and pen-down ceremony attracted personalities from politics, diplomacy, academia, entertainment, hospitality, tourism, 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; celebrated actor and thespian Yomi Fash-Lanso; Prof. Babalola Wasiu Adeyemo, President, Hotel Management and Tourism, Atiba University; Babasoji Awe, General Manager, Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development; Mr. Ayo Ogundele, President, Oyo State Hoteliers Association; Otunba Ayo Olumoko; Babatope Omotehinse; Babatope Oloropupo; Mogaji Soladoye Adewole; Mogaji Cosmos Olalekan Oni; Oyo State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Akeem Abass; Pastor Funsho Fafowora; Yinka Agboola; Sunday Olajide; Omooba Kunle Olatunji; Remi Koleoso; Monica Taiwo; and 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.
Buhari disclosed that he had already booked his travel ticket before learning of the ceremony, but had to alter his travel arrangements and schedule in order to attend.
He congratulated Mrs. Ojo-Lanre on her successful career and acknowledged the strong family support she provided while her husband pursued an active life spanning journalism, law, public service and tourism development.
Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, 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, particularly praising her patience, understanding and tolerance through the different phases of their journey together.
The veteran broadcaster and diplomat, who had 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 observed that behind many successful public figures are spouses who make enormous sacrifices away from public attention, adding that Mrs. Ojo-Lanre deserved commendation 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, describing her journey as an example of the enormous contribution women make to their families and society, particularly through education 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 remained evident over the years.
He congratulated her for successfully combining marriage and motherhood with a demanding career, observing that rising to the position of Principal while sustaining a strong family was itself worthy of celebration.
Prof. Babalola Wasiu Adeyemo commended Mrs. Ojo-Lanre fMor a career defined by discipline, intellectual growth and commitment to human development.
He described her progression from classroom teacher to Principal as evidence of perseverance, professional competence and leadership, adding that retirement should provide an opportunity to deploy her accumulated experience towards mentoring younger professionals and contributing to society in new ways.
President of the Oyo State Hoteliers Association, Mr. Ayo Ogundele, similarly congratulated the celebrant on a fulfilling professional journey, noting that retirement after decades of meritorious service was a moment of thanksgiving and accomplishment.
In a particularly touching family tribute, Bukky Ojo-Lanre, Esq., described Mrs. Moyomade Ojo-Lanre as an exceptional mother whose philosophy of parenting rested firmly on three pillars — discipline, education and values.
She said Mrs. Ojo-Lanre never compromised on the proper upbringing and education of her children, insisting that discipline and sound values remained indispensable foundations for responsible adulthood.
Speaker after speaker acknowledged that Mrs. Ojo-Lanre’s story was particularly remarkable because she did not allow marriage, motherhood and the demands of her profession to halt her personal and intellectual 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 ceremony was characterised by goodwill messages, reminiscences, laughter, music, dancing and expressions of gratitude as friends, colleagues and family members celebrated a woman widely described as disciplined, accommodating, resilient and deeply committed to education.
For Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, Esq., the occasion was also a moment to celebrate and appreciate the 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 retirement ceremony into a celebration of friendship, family, service and enduring relationships.
Yet, at the centre of it all was Mrs. Moyomade Bolatito Ojo-Lanre — the teacher who rose to become a Principal; the educationist who continued learning 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 birthday and pen-down ceremony.
It was a celebration of a career fulfilled, a family nurtured, friendships sustained and a life of service worthy of honour.
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