Frances Mopelola Oladitan
| Born | 07 May 1933 |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Educationist |
| Died | 20 June 2018 |
Chief (Mrs) Frances Mopelola Oladitan was born on the 7th of May, 1933 into the family of High Chief Mamukuyomi Akinsete - the late Chief Sasere of Ondo land, and Madam Agnes Abeo Akinsete.
Chief (Mrs) Frances Mopelola illustrated this background by her distinguished education and meritorious career in public service, as an educationist, spanning over thirty-three years.
Early Life[edit]
The young "Mopelola" started her early education in Ondo town, first at St Stephen's Primary, then at the Anglican Girl's School. In 1949, she gained admission to Queens' College, Lagos. Her set was (in 1952) moved by the government to Ede (now Osun State) to form the pioneer set of Queens' School, Ede. Whilst at Queens', she displayed her leadership and all round personality as a School Prefect and subsequently Head Girl; passing out in 1953, having obtained Grade 1.
In 1956, Mopelola proceeded to Trinity College Dublin, having previously worked at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation Lagos. She later graduated from Trinity College Dublin, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Science, a Higher Diploma in Education and Master of Arts Degree, also in Science.
Working Career[edit]
Chief (Mrs) Mopelola Oladitan started her public service career as a teacher at Queens' College, Lagos, where she served between 1961 and 1964. She later became the Education Officer in charge of science education with the Lagos City Council. During her tenure she introduced the teaching of Science in the curriculum of primary schools in Lagos, and published six volumes of the renowned science reference book, Modern Science for Nigeria, which were used in primary schools across Nigeria[1]. She also co-authored two volumes of the book, Doing Science in Nigeria.
She anchored a weekly programme on national television where she taught science and had her niece as her able assistant to help with experiments. She also organised courses for primary school teachers in Lagos.
She became the Chief Education Officer of Lagos Island Local Government and later, the Secretary to the Lagos Island Schools' Management Committee. In recognition of her impactful service to the Schools Management Committee, she was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Schools Management Board in 1984. This position involved her superintending over the Lagos State Unified Teaching Service, with over a million pupils and about thirty-five thousand primary and secondary school teachers.
She retired voluntarily from the Lagos State public service in 1988. In 1992, she was appointed a Director of the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company and remained in that position until 1995.
Community Service[edit]
Having retired from public service in 1988, Chief (Mrs) Mopelola Oladitan served in various capacities moulding the lives of millions of young Nigerians, many of whom today occupy positions of authority and responsibility.
She was an active member of both Queens' College, Lagos (QCOGA) and Queens' School Old Girls Association; she served as the President of the QCOGA between 2006 and 2009, and later, as a member of the Board of Trustees, of the Queens' College Trust[2].
She was also a member of the Soroptimist International Club of Nigeria, of which she was a Charter President. She was also a member of the Lioness Club of Lagos, the Nigerian Universities Women Association, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society. She served as an adviser on education to the Women Law and Development Centre (WLDCN), a Lagos based Non-Governmental Organization, committed to the empowerment of women.
As the wife of the then Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), she launched a ship for Elder Dempster Lines of Great Britain in Nagasaki, Japan in 1977 and four ships for the Federal Government of Nigeria in South Korea in 1980. Chief (Mrs) Mopelola had the honour of being presented to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.
She was conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Otun Iya Ewe of Okuku Land by His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Oyebode Oluronke II, the Olokuku of Okuku Land.
These same qualities and exemplary character endeared her to many friends and extended family in Ondo and this was recognised by His Royal Majesty, the late Oba Festus Ibidapo Adesanoye Osungbedenola, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, who in 1994 conferred upon her the Chieftaincy title of Iya Ewe of Ondo Kingdom.
She was a recipient of many awards including the Luminary Professional Educators (LUPEN) Award by the Nigerian Association of Professional Educators (NAPE); and a Fellowship of the Ondo State College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti (F.C.E.I.) in June 1997. She was inducted into the Queens' College Hall of Fame.
Family Life[edit]
'Mama', as she was called by her children, in September 1960, married her loving husband, late Chief John Oladipo Oladitan - the Maye of Okuku, a dear friend of her older brother. "Dipo", a foremost sportsman, represented Nigeria in athletics at the Commonwealth Games in 1960 and captained Nigeria to the 1960 Rome Olympics. They were blessed with lovely children: Yinka, Funke, Kitan and Titi. Together with their spouses, they are qualified professionals and have produced eight grand-children: Oyinkansola, Oladipo, Folakemi, Olaoluwa, Iguehi, Oladokun, Motolani and Ehimare. She was also a doting grandmother to Mayowa, Violet, and their son, Tumishe.
She passed on the 20th day of June, 2018.
References[edit]
- ↑ "Frances Mopelola Oladitan". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
- ↑ "QCOGA holds inaugural lecture for Mopelola Oladitan". Retrieved 2018-07-29.
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