Baffling Demise of an Academic Gem

It was an unforgettable moment of tears and praises to God when the remains of the Proprietress of Imperial Gate Schools Lekki, Mrs. Omobolanle Olubunmi 43, who died last month was laid to rest at Ikoyi, Cemetery, Lagos state last Friday.

The burial also served as a moment of reflection on the life of the late Mrs.Olubunmi who was described by many as devoted wife, thorough bred educationist and lover of children.During the funeral service, accolades and praises were showered on her for having achieved so much in her short period of stay on earth, both in career and building bridges across all divides

It was one of the saddest moments for students and staff of the School as their mentor and mother was lowered to mother earth amidst uncontrollable weeping. The pupils, who were brought into the hall of service and were all in deep sorrow. The funeral attracted a wide array of educationists from within and outside the country.

Mrs. Olubunmi, who was fondly called Angel by friends and colleagues founded the Imperial Gate Schools in 2007 after serving the Corona Groups of Schools, Lagos for over 15 years. She was described by her colleagues as a core professional teacher whose greatest joy was when ever she was with little children.

Born in Ibadan, on January 8, 1967 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Adeligba Soleye, she started her formal education at the Sacred Heart School, Ring road, Ibadan. After her primary school education, she proceeded to Egba High School, Abeokuta,and in 1987, bagged her Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in English /History from the University of Ibadan ,followed by a Masters in Early Childhood Education from the same University. She then proceeded to University of Lagos where she obtained her Masters Degrees in Education Administration in 1999.

Mrs. Olubummi started her professional teaching career as a teacher at Corona Schools, Victoria Island in 1994 and rose to become the Deputy Head at the Victoria Island and later Head Teacher of the Apapa campus and subsequently General Head Teacher of the school, until she resigned in 2007 to establish Imperial Gate Schools, Lekki.

The officiating Minister at the funeral service, Pastor Tony Rapu commended the doggedness of the late educationist, describing her as a woman whose passion for the upbringing of children was inestimable. Mrs.Olubunmi, he said, was a hardworking woman and committed mother whose greatest joy in life was building and seeing those little children under her care growing up to become prominent persons in life.

'In her short stay on earth, she built her name on the marble of time despite the short sojourn on earth." He said, noting that, Mrs.Olubunmi was a natural leader and professional teacher whose dream in life was to continue raising children whose aspirations could be met through qualitative education spiced with sound moral character.

"She epitomised commitment to ultra high and wholesome education, a commitment that transcend the confines of the classroom and margin of school walls" The clergy stated.

According to the husband Mr. Olukayode Olubunmi, who was all the time trying to control his emotional pains and sadness, said her wife was a jewel whose vacuum in the family cannot be filled.Omobolanle, he said, was a committed wife, devoted mother, dedicated professional, focused, hard working, idea -driven and thorough bred educationist, whose life ambition was to raise future leaders of the country. He added that his wife was the greatest thing that ever happened in his life and wondered how he could live his full life without a woman that was everything to his life.

"You were the best part of me. You appreciated me .You believed in me. You completed me. You drove me. You encourage me. You groomed me. You harmonised me. You inspired me. You justified me. You fenced me. You know me (a rare gift).You led me through your submission .You mothered me. You nursed me. You taught me. You under stood me....And now you have beaten me to the street of gold no surprise there ,as you have done this with many things...l thank you for sharing this side of eternity with me..."

He stated that, though, it could be absolutely difficult to submit to the will of God for a woman that totally changed his life ," God, I say thank you. To God be the glory.This is the only woman I have known before and after marriage, she always insists that we must go out together. She kept my shoes and shirts, she always tried to assert herself and she was a lover of children,"he concluded.

The Head teacher of Corona Schools, Mrs. Amalia Dafeta, painfully recollected Mrs. Olubunmi's tenure as head teacher of the school and said she was a model and inspiration to most people who came across her. As a head teacher, she said "Mrs. Olubunmi taught me all I know today, from her inspiration I am doing well today."

She described the late woman as a wonderful hard working person, a great organiser as well as creative woman whose love for children was unlimited, stating that she will always be remembered with smiles because she had committed herself to putting smiles on the faces of people.

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