ILLUSTRIOUS SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ILOBU, (VOLUME TWO) 1ST EDITION

She is an Amazon of inestimable value, a staunch lover of youth development, a progressive to the core, a finely trained teacher, a peace lover and a devout Christian of the Anglican extract. She is ever ready to take her time to ask after how you are faring. She would ask one question after the other, just to be very sure that things are work out for you. She would advise you not minding your place of meeting and seal the discussion with a prayer. She is indeed a rare breed and gem.

CHIEF MRS SARAH OLUREMI OGUNDELE; a beautiful queen and jewel has just clocked 80 valuable, precious and fulfilled years on planet earth. She was married to Pa Jeremiah Akintayo Ogundele of Oniwana’s Compound, Ilobu, who died in the year 2009. Mama unlike most of the teachers that we have today, who took to teaching as an escape route to unemployment was thoroughly trained and took teaching not as pastime but as a career.

She started her educational pursuit by attending United Central School, Ilobu between 1942 and 1949. She proceeded to Egbado Teachers, College for her Grade III Certificate between 1955 and 1956. She also attended Government Western Teachers’ College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta for her Grade II Certificate between 1963 and 1964. Mama didn’t stop at that; she then proceeded to the Project T.I.M.F., Akoka, Lagos for Grade I Associate Certificate in teaching between 1976 and 1977. She later crowned it up with an admission to an N. C. E. programme at the Oyo State College of Education, Ilesha in 1980 and graduated in flying colours in 1983.

As a teacher, Mama taught at various schools across the western states; Oyo, Osun, Ogun and even Kwara which was not a western state. Worthy of mention is her exploit at St Michael’s Anglican Primary School, Ilobu, Baptist High School, Ojooro, Ede, St Mary Anglican School, Osogbo and Bishop Onabanjo High School, Ibadan where she retired in 1989.

Mama Ogundele is very committed to youth development. As an octogenarian blessed with a sonorous voice ; still very agile and strong, she would attend various youths’ programme promptly and inject her always precious pieces of advice when she is called upon to speak; Ilobu National Students Union (National and Branches), Luminaries Club, Pacesetters Club Ilobu and youth organizations in the church benefit immensely from her motherly care and support. Sometimes she would sit patiently for hours before the commencement of their programme. She has many honours and awards to her credit from various organized social groups, students’ associations and religious bodies. She is truly IYA AWON EWE OF ILOBU.

Mama served as a member of the caretaker Committee, Irepodun Local Government. She also served at the committee level of Ilobu Development Union viz; Ilobu Day Planning Committee.

Mama believes that money is not everything in life but good name matters wherever one finds himself/herself. With this belief, she walks around very strong with a free mind and she is very passionate about keeping to her ways of life, especially in the service of God and humanity for the remaining days of her life. No doubt, she has registered herself dearly in the hearts of many people with her love, care and support to grow Ilobu and her natives.

Therefore, in recognition of her inestimable contributions to the growth of Ilobu; her youth force and the natives in general, I therefore humbly present Chief Mrs Sarah Oluremi Ogundele as an illustrious daughter of Ilobu Asake.

Dare Alabi,
Project Director.