ODE TO IYALODE WURAOLA ADEPEJU ESAN
Wuraola
Adepeju Esan was born to the famous Ojo'Badan family at Calabar, in
present day Nigeria in March 1909. Her father Chief thomas Adeogun Ojo
was a veeran of the First World War an a forestry officer.
When
contemporaries of Iyalode Esan were busy amassing wealth for themselves
abd their children, Wuraola, the indefatigable Iyalode of Ibadan was
busy thinkng on how to make her name live after her.
IYALODE ESAN AS A POLITICIAN
- Chief Wuraola Esan derived no career advanage from either her father
or husband. Her political status was achieved by self-effort and merit.
She reached the pinnacle of her political career as a Senator and her
social career as the Iyalode, largely because of herpersonality as an
educationist. In addition, because of th prejudices against women in the
country, her philosophy was that as a woman, one had to be twice as
efficient as a man in order to gain recognition. Tothis end, she stove
to excel in all her undertakings.
AS A SENATOR-
She was very articulate and was not cowed by the fact that she was the
only woman amongst all the men. She was able to pass her message to her
coleagues very eloquently and even managed to convince some of the
ministers to take necessary policy decisions. she contrinuted positively
to debates often times speaking more than the men. Some of her
contributions during her tenure 1960-64 which have already been
highlighted show that she did not allow herself to be deterred by any
heckling.
AS A WIFE AND MOTHER
- She was a worthy role model not only for her childrn, bit also for
those young ladies who passed through her directly and indirectly. They
imbibed the spirit of hard work and good noral values. They learnt that
it ispossible to combine public commitment with private responsibilities
provided that one works had.
IYALODE'S PROFILE -
First Woman Senator - 1960-65
Iyalode of Ibadan - 1975-85
First Christian and Educated Iyalode of Ibadan
Proprietress of People's Girls Grammar School, Ibadan
Proprietress of Ibadan People's Girls School, Ibadan
Proprietress of Dorcas Memorial Nursery School, Ibadan
Trustee of the National Council of Women's Societies
Honorary Member of the Nigerian Association of University Women
Grand Matron of the Y.W.C.A
Member of Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture
Member of the Nigerian Red Cross
Grand Matron of the Ibadan Descendants Union
Saturday's Child Worked had for her living.
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