By Wasiu Owolewa
On this special day in the month of May, a great woman was birthed. This great woman is a princess from one of the famous and respected royal family in Ado-Ekiti.
This great woman is no other person than Her Excellency, Professor Modupe Adeola Adelabu, the former Deputy Governor of Ekiti state and revered leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ado-Ekiti.
Prof. Adelabu as an erudite scholar and public administrator has carved a niche for herself over the years through her act of generosity and dedication to service. As a notable politician with wide reach, many lives had been impacted positively through her. She is woman with the heart of gold.
Prof Adelabu born in 1950 to Prince and Mrs. Samuel Adepoju Adejugbe attended Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti (1962 – 1967) and Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo (1968 -1970).
She holds a B.A. (Ed) (1975); MPhil (1981); and PhD (1990), all from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile- Ife.
The princess started her teaching career as a Graduate Assistant in 1976 in the Department of Educational Administration and Planning, OAU, where she rose to the post of Professor in 2008.
She served as Head of the Department of Educational Administration several times and also served as external examiner in some
Universities, including the University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; University of Ilorin and Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
Adelabu has served as Council Member of National Teachers’ Institute (2001- 2003), Council Member, Christ International Divinity College (an affiliate of Acadia University Canada) Erinmo (2005 – 2010); Member Planning and Implementation Committee Joseph Ayo Babalola University (2004- 2005); Member of Council Joseph Ayo Babalola University (2005 – 2010).
She was also a foundation member of Board, Ekiti State World Bank Assisted Poverty Reduction Agency (2000 – 2003); Member of Oxford Round Table, Oxford England, among otherwise bodies.
Prof Adelabu’s major research area is on policy and personnel issues in education, including the roles of the state in education; teacher education as well poverty and gender related issues in education, particularly in rural areas.
She has published over 30 articles in both national and international journals.
The don and politician has been involved in consultancy work for the World Bank, Universal Basic Education Commission in Nigeria, United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) and other international agencies.
She has also served as resource person for UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO on various educational issues. She was also part of the 15-member Education Reform Panel that worked on Ekiti State government’s reforms in the education sector.
Adelabu is the recipient of the 2013 Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award (African Administration Icon) organised by the All- Africa Student Union (ASSU).
On May 4, 2013, the then former Governor of Ekiti state, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi announced the name of Prof. Adelabu as a candidate to replace the late Mrs Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka and thereafter sworn-in after her nomination had been ratified by Ekiti State House of Assembly. She became the third women to have occupied the exalted office.
Before then she had served as Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB) where she left an indelible mark.
During her brief tenure as Deputy Governor, Prof. Adelabu performed excellently well and never betrayed the confidence reposed in her. She used the opportunity entrusted her to touch many lives positively.
Prof. Adelabu has become a mother figure to many Ado sons and daughters. This gives the reason why she is called Mother General.
As she celebrates her 75th birthday today, our prayer is that God Almighty will grant her more years to enjoy the fruit of her labour. Happy birthday and congratulations Your Excellency ma.