Last year, Mrs. Sobowale Mulikat Omolola, fondly called “Big Mummy,” notified me of her retirement from the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission as a Principal after 35 years of meritorious service. I gave her my word that I would personally be there to celebrate her big day with her on the 9th of January, 2027.
Due to the nature of my schedule, I couldn’t make it, though I truly wished I could be there as her guest. But wishes are not horses, and the mountain here blocked the mountain over there. However, I communicated my goodwill and contributed my widow’s mite to making the day memorable.
One of my favourite columnists, Lasisi Olagunji, once wrote:
“It is normal for people to write or sing about men and women of consequence in celebration of their milestones. Unworthy persons commission eulogies; real men of worth get them as gifts.”
She is worth more than that in my book.
My path crossed with that of Big Mummy about 15 years ago when I was admitted into Ansarudeen Comprehensive College, Senior, Otta, for my Senior Secondary School education.
Although she was not our regular English teacher, since her classes were mainly for Commercial and Arts students, she taught us occasionally during extracurricular afternoon classes.
Big Mummy didn’t earn that nickname because of her physique, but because of the motherly way she handled issues. She was not quick to anger and rarely had issues with students. In fact, she was one of the easiest teachers of our time.
I was somewhat close to her during my school days, and her encouragement to remain steadfast and attentive is one of the influences that has shaped who I am today.
After I left school, we lost contact, but fate brought us together again last year when I returned to Yewa to handle some projects, one of which surprisingly included my alma mater.
While collecting the contacts of principals of the schools under my supervision, I saw her name listed as the Principal of my alma mater. I was overjoyed and immediately told everyone who cared to listen that she was my teacher and one of my many “mummies” in school.
On the day of the official handover, I saw the joy on her face when she spotted me among the officials. She immediately remembered me, though she struggled briefly with my name, until Bagbansoro came to her. I hugged her, and her excitement was incredibly infectious.
When we commenced the project, she gave me all the support she possibly could. She frequently came around to inspect the work herself and even went as far as providing food, drinks, and snacks at different times.
When I complained about the hotel I was staying in at Aiyetoro—one of the project locations—she immediately suggested that I stay at her mother’s house in the Housing Estate for my comfort. Such was the kind of heart she had.
Even after the project was concluded, she continued to relate with me, offering advice and encouragement at different times.
Throughout my time there, she never personally requested anything from me, except concerns about how we could improve some of the school buildings. I remember how she persuaded me to extend the borehole we donated as part of our CSR to adjoining buildings so they could also benefit from the water.
Whenever I met any of my old schoolmates during the project and they realized from our interactions that she was now the Principal of our school, the responses were always prayers and kind words—because she had been good to all.
There is a great lesson here for other teachers: an Egungun that is conscious of life beyond the mask will behave well, limit its performance to dance and songs, carry no whips, and never flog the helpless.
In the words of the Christian hymn writer Horatius Bonar (1808–1889), we are “only remembered by what we have done.” I know she will be remembered for good.
May the Almighty Allah bless you, grant you good health and peace, and return to you, in multiple folds, all the goodness you have shown to others. Congratulations and happy retirement, my teacher and Big Mummy!
Bagbansoro Fahd Taiwo
Mail: Bagbansorofahd@gmail.com
Gatekeepers News is not liable for opinions expressed in this article; they’re strictly the writer’s.
