Family, friends celebrate retired School Principal as she clocks 70
It was an overwhelming feeling of joy on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at Duro-Ishola street, Alakuko area of Lagos when Mrs Adetola Duro-Ishola a retired principal who had served the Lagos and Ogun state government, turned 70-year-old.
According to the celebrant, she had planned with her children that she does not want any big party, but just a gathering of some selected fifteen (15) people.
Suddenly, to her amazement, the party which initially was planned around having fifteen people in attendance exploded into having more than the celebrant herself expected.
According to the Septuagenarian, she said she was overwhelmed by the attendance of people she hasn’t seen in a long time. People who included her old friends, colleagues in the teaching profession and well-wishers all across the state.
Speaking exclusively to DAILYFAMILY.NG Mrs Duro-Ishola said she was overwhelmed with what her children came up with it.
“I am overwhelmed”
“I told them I wanted 15 people, to my surprise we have such a large gathering. Many people I didn’t tell, many I should have invited I didn’t.
“They even forced me to tell people.
Speaking to her children after seeing the large gathering of guests she said.
“Is this your 15 number? But glory be to God”. She added.
One of Mrs Duro-Ishola’s old student, Mrs Adefolake, a former student of African Church Model College, Ifako Ijaye 1995 set, who eventually became her school-daughter spoke of the Septuagenarian’s motherly character while she was still her student. She said.
“I was Mrs Duro-Ishola student, representing African Church Model College, Ifako Ijaye where she was our Principal then. That was 1995 set.
“We were the first set in school and she was more like a mother to all of us at the boarding house then”
She said anytime she had issues she could easily go to her and she often will get help at any of the time she visited her.
She said while she was in school, she was referred to as Principal’s pet.
Mrs Adetola Duro-Ishola with some of her Old Students
“Once I am not in the midst of my friends, definitely, I am in her office. Most times, when she is going home, she is the one that takes me home and then she drops me off at home. She had a relationship with my mum and all that was through me”.
Mrs Duro-Ishola flanked by her Grandchildren
Duro-Ishola wasn’t just known for her humanitarian gestures in the four walls of the schools she had taught. Landlords in her neighbourhood also attended her birthday to testify to her good and motherly spirit.
Mr Ayodele Ajibode, the present chairman of Ore-ofe Community Development Association (CDA) also spoke about the celebrant, he said:
“Concerning mama Duro-Ishola, she is a woman that any reasonable human being either man or woman should emulate.
He added that “if she had allowed her children to celebrate this birthday in a big way, I believe that this street will be full”.
Mrs Duro-Ishola’s first child, Mrs Atinuke Abimbola Oladapo, nee Duro-Ishola gleefully said.
“My mother is the best mother like I said earlier on, she is the best mother anybody can ask for.
“She is a good leader, she is a good Christian. She has shown us a good legacy which we are all facing.
Mrs Duro-Ishola’s son and third child, Pastor Seun Duro-Ishola of Kingsword International Church (Alagbado) who anchored the short birthday party, thrilled guests to an hilarious noon of fun and laughter as he cracked the people up with funny remarks.
