Chief (Mrs) Hope Olayinka Jiboku, an amazing amazon and foremost educationist @70

There have been outpouring of encomiums on Chief (Mrs.) Hope Olayinka Jiboku, of the Jiboku Dynasty as she celebrates 70 impactful years of commitment to God and humanity.

Born on 12th of May 1953, the beautiful daughter of late Pa Michael Olanrewaju and Deaconess Kehinde Olanrewaju is full of praises to God Almighty in recognition of the indisputable mercies that she has enjoyed till date. God Almighty has thought her to number her days and she has counted her blessings, she has named them one by one with a conclusion that it could only be God.

From her little beginning at the Apostolic Church School, Ebute-Metta, Lagos where she was between January 1957 and December 1963, she began to shine like a galaxy of stars. Her remarkable feat at Methodist Girl’s High School, Yaba, Lagos where she graduated with the Best student prize in Mathematics in 1967, 1968 and 1969 and School’s Good Conduct prize in 1967 remains a reference point among her colleagues who are thanking God with her for preserving her life through the numerous hurdles.

ADVERTISEMENT

She thereafter proceeded to Ansar-ur-deen College, Isolo where she obtained her Higher School Certificate in 1973. Her love for education and the burning desire to impact on the lives of the younger ones propelled her to proceed to Adeyemi College of Education (University of Ife) between 1977 and 1980 where she bagged a Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) in Home Economics. She continued in pursuit of her educational career when she moved to the prestigious University of Lagos and bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology Education between 1988 and 1993.

Mama Jiboku is an unrepentant advocate of the philosophy of the the late sage Obafemi Awolowo that man shall continue to learn until he dies. She has continued to sharpen her skills towards effective service delivery as an educationist. She is a strong believer in the ‘omoluwabi’ ethos and is in tune with the core traditional values, norms and culture of her land little wonder, she deservedly bagged the title of ‘Yeye Akinfimogbayi of Oke-Ona Egba’ by HRH. Dr. Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, Karunwi III Oranmiyan, Osile, Oke-Ona Egba on May, 16th 2009.

Her love for the education of the Nigerian child is beyond naira and kobo as she believes that the education her schools offer is a ministry that God Almighty has called her into and she must deliver it satisfactorily to earn a glowing crown. She has continuously poured her life of steadfastness, devotion and commitment to the lives of the children that had passed through her such that the parents appreciate her so much and the children adore her.

Apparently elated that God Almighty blessed humanity with Mama Jiboku, Mr Hamzat Moruf Abiola, Chairman Parents Teachers Association of Lariken International College had composed a song for Mama with the typical Ibadan glamour and peagantry . His lyrics and words : Musically,”Oya Jaye Ori Eee, Hope Jiboku Oba Obinrin, Oluomo Lariken International College Ibadan Land, Oya Jaye Orie”! Truly, you’re an integrous female archetype and valued warrior-queen. Happy birthday to you Ma, long life and prosperity, a gold among special metals. Cheers.

The Chairman of the PTA Association of Taidob College, Dr. Rasheed Adetoro described her as an organiser of the highest painstaking order. Wishing Mama beyond the centurion mark, Dr. Adetoro stated : ” Hope is to be alive from strength to strength with abundant blessings. Mama Jiboku is an epitome of academic excellence with sound humanness. She represents an organizer of the highest painstaking order as she cares a lot for both the staff and students”

Mrs Olayinka Ogunjobi described Mama as a mother with diverse attributes whose love for the pupils is beyond that of proprietaries but that of a grandma who takes delight in her grandchildren. ” All my children passed through Mama at Yomfield Nursery Primary School and two transited to Taidob College. She has dossier of each child on her finger tips and that to me is love, care and commitment.

There are individuals who are known for being good to the outside world but of little or no importance to their family and relations. Mama is an intentional developer of both her family and the outside world. She is never at sea on the importance of the family. She is never given to fake life. According to Mrs Kehinde Aribisala, : ”Mrs Hope Olayinka Jiboku is the second born of the family of seven which I’m the sixth born. Sister mi, Ma’ami, is a unique personality, a woman like a man, iron lady, who doesn’t take no for an answer, strict but flexible. Her uniqueness and flexibility gave her the grace to be able to touch lives positively to fulfill part of her divine assignment to God and humanity. Among her kins and people around her she has been so wonderful, dependable, and reliable.

I really thank the LORD Almighty for these good qualities in her, sister mi, you will live long to enjoy the fruits of your labour in good health in Jesus name
Happy 70TH birthday my sister, my mom”.

Corroborating Mrs Aribisala, Dr Funmi Odejide her sister stated : ” Yinka is a virtuous woman. She cares for a home like the Proverb 31 woman.I doff my hat for her ruggedness. A mother to the core, not only to her biological children even her siblings children. She is a giver and a helper as the holy spirit leads her. She is a progressive to the core. She forgives easily. She prefers to remember the good you did to her than the evil, definitely she is a lover.
We are referred to as false twins because of our closeness even in dressing. Yinka the owner of Heavens and the earth has visited you and your life will not remain the same, you will move from glory to glory in Jesus name”.

In what appears like a reminiscence of the good old days while the sisters were growing up, Mrs Taiwo Iyere paid glowing tributes to her dear sister, her gist partner and asserted that she is hope that gives hope to people : ”She’s a quintessential woman, a modern woman, that is smart, confident, classic, exemplary, unique, pragmatic, archetypal, superb, and trendy. A woman that influences lives, and moulds  destinies. She knows who she is and what she wants out of life. Purpose driven, self-motivated and refined, but beautifully imperfect. Her impact in our generation is such an outstanding and resounding one.

Her siblings are fond of her, especially me, and we all call her “sister Yinka”, excluding one and my only eldest  sister ” Dr Funmi Odejide”, who passionately and lovingly call her “Yinka, the Joseph of our time” A woman that lived and that will outlive her name. “HOPE”,in the generation and the generation yet to be. A selfless lady of our time.

It is an incontrovertible fact that the best part of her life has been dedicated to moulding and shaping lives most of whom are scattered all over the world making impact. Osasuyi Idiagbe , The General Academic Manager of LARIKEN International College applauded her for her commitment to excellence and continuous learning. ” Her commitment to excellence and continuous learning has been an inspiration to all those around her, and her contributions to the field of education have been invaluable. We have all been fortunate to have such an amazing educationalist in our lives, and we owe her a debt of gratitude for all that she has done for us and for the countless students whose lives she has touched”. As we celebrate her achievements today, let us all be reminded of the importance of hard work, compassion, and leadership in creating a better future for all, Idiagbe posited.

It takes a dogged and rugged woman filled with the spirit of God to navigate the mouldy waters of developmental stages of a school to international reckoning. Mama combines both wisdom and strength such that in a minute she could look like a lady in jumpers and sneekers bouncing like one preparing for olympics and some minutes later like a Mama that she is.

Isola O.J had described her as a wonderful teacher, leader, boss,  fantastic mother, an exemplary and visionary mentor who has dedicated her life to the service of humanity.

”She is a boss who  specializes in doing the best to achieve excellent result. She is full of strength and vigor who commands respect by all. As young as she is now, when she berates, everywhere vibrates and everyone know  that something is happening. Just like a lion roars in the jungle and all animals in the jungle go into hiding. She is a disciplined woman. She abides with stated rules and regulations. No short cut as she strives to achieve the best in pupils and teachers.”

Just like Jesus Christ whom she serves was unpredictable, disappointing the machinations of the devil , Isola asserted that : ”She cannot be predetermined or predicted. Times when one would have expected to be seriously scolded, she comes with open hands to correct the misdemeanor but when offense is serious she gives commensurate punishment. She can only be predicted when things are rightly done. She is a loving and compassionate mother and boss. She has no secret. Several statements  and daily observations of things around her made me believe so. She is open to everyone and loves everyone.”

In tandem with the scripture Mama dislikes laziness, late coming (especially to the presence of God), lying tongues, dishonest individual, sluggishness and other bad acts. She loves diligence.

A former staff of Taidob College, Tobi Akinjobi (HappyHour) described her as a woman of prayer. In his words, : ” Celebrating a woman of prayer,sound character and a disciplinarian. Having served in your corridors of learning, I’m honored and privileged to have walked through that path which made me.Your virtues are worth pressing for. I truly honor and celebrate your existence Ma! LIVE LONG IN PERFECT HEALTH MA!

Mrs. Ebrume J.B., a staff of Yomfield Nursery and Primary School advanced that Chief (Mrs) Hope Olayinka Jiboku is an educationist, a philanthropist and a woman of purpose  with a large heart and exemplary personality. ”I feel so much lucky to have you as an excellent boss to look up to. Your ability to communicate effectively and thoughtfully means so much to me. With a deepest gratitude to God on your behalf, I wish you the happiest of birthdays as you celebrate your 70th year on this earth. It is truly an honour to know you and to have been touched by your kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.

Throughout your life, you have served as a beacon of hope and inspiration to so many people. Your dedication to your community and your family is nothing short of remarkable, and your contributions as an administrator have undoubtedly played a significant role in the success of countless organizations and initiatives over the years.

Your unique and outstanding attributes as the proprietress of Yomfield Nursery and Primary School has made you an excellent manager. Your open-mindedness has empowered and enhanced the intellectual prowess of Yomfield Nursery and Primary School staff for better productive outputs.

Mrs Ebrume had wrapped up her kind words with a quote from Colin Powell, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” Surely, Mama Jiboku at 70 is a reflection of determination and hardwork.

Mama is blessed with numerous children that she cannot even remember. She is a typical ”abiyamo” who naturally loves children and enjoys nurturing them to fulfilment of destiny.

Speaking on behalf of the biological and numerous other children whose destiny had been shaped by Mama Jiboku as she is fondly called, Obawunmi Alaba Jiboku, Director, Taidob College wrote : ”A mother’s love is something that you can not sometimes put into words. Mummy is evidently the best mother anyone could ever wish for. Looking back at my life, whenever I have reasons to recall memories of the past, it brings into bear the fact that I owe mummy greatly. A kind, supportive, inspirational, protective, God fearing and exceptionally loving mother. Beautiful inside out. Selfless, courageous and amazing!
You’re one-of-a-kind mum.

Cheers to a mother who contributed greatly to shaping me into the person I am today. Thanks for being my first teacher even as I am still learning from the best.
Today is your day to shine, but you’re always a star in my eyes. Happy birthday, mom!,”