Hurray Mama Ibilola at 70

JOANAH IYENOLA IBILOLA

The world has been blessed by such an amazing person for a whole 70 years!

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Our beloved mother was born on the 6th of December, 1951, to the family of Chief Shem Kolawole Omonola and Mama Esther Abejide Omonola. She happened to be the first daughter of her mother and father. The second and the only surviving child of her mother. Making our mother, the first born child with several siblings (male and female).She is a native of Araromi of Iyara, Ijumu, Kogi State, Nigeria.

She attended St. Paul`s Anglican Primary School, Iyara between 1958 – 1962. Her primary school was completed in 1964 at Baptist Day Primary School after she moved to stay with her uncle, late Mr. Stephen Idowu Aina, who lived in Ilorin. She later moved to St. Clare’s Secondary School, Offa between 1965-1969. She moved to Offa Grammar school for her Higher School certificate (HSc) in 1970- 1971. She had anticipated studying Medicine. To the glory of God, her second daughter, Dr. Foluke Olaniyi George is a medical doctor.

WATCH -Joanah Iyenola Ibilola at 70

Although, she couldn’t proceed for her passion in medicine she went to study Medical Laboratory Science at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna state (with In-service training between 1971 and 1977. She then had her NYSC in Kaduna between 1977 -1978.  

She got married to her heartthrob, Engr. Joseph Ibilola in April, 1975 and they both moved to the United States of America, with their 3 children (Oluwatosin, Foluke and Iyabo) in 1979, as daddy was granted  grace by the then P&( later NITEL) with in-service training to study for his degree in Electrical Engineering.

Their marriage has been blessed awesomely with 8 outstanding and amazing children – 7girls and 1boy, between the years 1975 and 1988.

While in the States, she went further to study, Management Science and Business Administration at the Tuskegee University, Alabama, thereby bagging a double degree at the same time.(B.Sc. Management Science & Business Administration).

She  had a very strong flair and passion for business. After they returned to Nigeria in 1985, she went deep into trading buying and selling of books amongst other items like church accessories, clothing’s to mention but a few.

She had occupied many key positions rising to the Assistant Chief at the Bayero University, Kano, (Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital).  After returning to Nigeria, in 1985, she later got employment with Bayero University, Kano, where she voluntarily retired due to relocation of her heartthrob in 2001. She was involved on full trading between 2001 and 2008, before proceeding to the States again. This time through the help of her children who were already living in the States as Citizens.

She is a deep lover of God and a dedicated and devoted Christian, who has used her talent and gifting’s in the area of Drama and Ushering Departments at ECWA English Section Kano and ECWA Chapel, Ibadan where she served as the Chief Usher and the Bodija LCC Women Leader before her relocation to USA.

Being the hard worker that she is, on arrival at the States she has embarked on several trainings, acquiring the position of a Certified Nursing ASSISTANT as well as becoming a TRAINED ACUTE CARE GIVER.

Mummy is such a pleasant person to be with, loving and caring. A woman with a heart of gold and nothing short of a Dorcas of her time. She has used her opportunities to great advantage, being a source of great blessing to both family and friends.

We as the IBILOLA family, therefore want to wish her a very happy and joyous 70th birthday and pray that the rest of her life will be enjoyed with renewed strength and vigor in prosperity and soundness of mind and health in Jesus name. 

Happy 70th birthday Mummy. You are indeed loved, celebrated and appreciated.

On behalf of the family,

OluwatosinOpaleke Nee Ibilola.