Wale Jagun & Rahmon Sulaimon (Trainee)
It was a day of honour for Ms. Kehinde Adenike Adelabu, the former Administrator, Joy Victory Schools (VJS), located at Kokoro – Abu, lkorodu, in Ikorodu Local Government, as the school officially sent her forth after over a year that she left the school’s service.
Ms. Adelabu retired from VJS in March 2020 after she secured employment with the Lagos State Government as a Secondary School teacher.
She was the school's acting head Mistress, Bursar, Secretary, Teacher, Examination Coordinator among other positions of responsibilities that she held while in the service of VJS.
During her time at the school, Ms. Adelabu also introduced and initiated several programmes which were not in the activities of the school before her engagement.
At the 2021 graduation/prize giving day of the school held last Friday, at the School premises, during which Ms Adelabu was honoured, pupils, staff and parents took their turns to shower praises and commendations on the former dutiful teacher and administrator.
The former administrator of the school, who was completely overwhelmed with emotions and joy, was unable to hold back tears as the students sang her praises and sent her forth in grand style.
Prince Odunlami Davidson, the Executive Director, T & T, Global Security, presented a portrait frame on behalf of VJS to the former administrator while staff and parents also showered her with gifts.
Mrs Ijeoma Nwobodo, the Proprietress of JVS, in her emotion laden speech, said that she relied on the former administrator for the effective running of the school.
“Our time is fast spent, therefore, I won’t be able to render all my epistles that I wrote on Ms. Kenny but nevertheless, she’s still a darling that I will always talk about.
“Kenny was part of my brains in this school. She was my backbone and always at my right hand side.
“I remember when Ms Kenny came to submit her CV.I remember I told her I don’t like working with ladies as Secretary because ladies seems to be generally lazy but Ms Kenny proved me wrong totally to the extent that I had to put a call through one day and ask her, "do you want to do more than me?”, Mrs Nwobodo said jokingly in her tribute to her former administrator.
“I am trying to hold myself so hard so that I won't shed any tear today because I have done that before today, but I'm still going to say to Kenny that, I love you. Whenever I check through her record, I’m always emotional.
“She hasn’t stopped working diligently and hard and as a matter of fact, she's been awarded in the Lagos State public school that she is engaged with.
“When she got nominated, I was the first person she called. I was so proud of her when I heard the great news. That means whatever thing you’re doing, you’ll definitely see the rewards. Kenny, please don’t stop the good work of yours”, she charged Ms Adelabu.
“I am already missing you and I’ll continue to miss you. I’m missing all those things Ms Kenny used to do. They are now all on me because no one here is able to fill her space yet”, Mrs Nwobodo said.
The VJS Head Boy, in his Valedictory speech, described Ms Adelabu as the most dedicated teacher of all times in the history of the school.
He described her impact on the school and pupils as indelible and her exit as difficult while adding that the vacuum she left is yet to be filled.
“Finally, to the VJS finest and most dedicated of all times, the Administrative officer, Ms Adelabu Kehinde, fondly called “Ms Kenny'’, whom we are also sending forth today, words will not even be enough to appreciate all the marvelous works you have done for us and the School in general”, the outgone School head boy said.
“Your selfless service to the School is unquantifiable. Please, permit me to state few of her achievements while she was with us.
“Under her coordination and administration, VJS had her first Inter- house sports, produced her first school brochure/magazine, had her first eventful club week, had her first professional career day.
“She was VJS receptionist, Secretary, Bursar, teacher, acting Head teacher and VJS examination coordinator. She was also VJS administrator.
“She was Victory Joy School’s everything and anything you can think of in a school.
“You were so committed, dedicated, efficient, effective, hardworking, energetic, passionate, loyal, impactful and inspiring. No wonder you left a very big vacuum in VJS that no one has been able to fill since you left”.
He said that despite Ms Adelabu’s new employment, she still finds time to check on them and prepare them for examinations.
“We are indeed very glad to hear about your new employment and despite that, you are still so passionate about us and the school to the extent that you still check up on us and ensure we prepare adequately for our entrance examinations, especially by organising after school lessons for us. Your English classes were really of tremendous help. We sincerely appreciate all you’ve done for us and the school. Only God can repay your sacrifices of love. Victory Joy School will miss you a lot. On behalf of the school, we say, Thank you so much for everything”, the outgone Head boy said thankfully.
Some of the guests at the ceremony, who are very close to VJS, also offered their tributes to Ms. Kenny.
Mr Davidson Odunlami, the Director T &T Dave Global Security, in his own speech, said:
“I just met her not quite long ago but now, I feel like we’ve known each other for years. I don’t think she’s a hard or tough person, it’s just that she’ll make sure what needs to be done must be done. You should just continue to do the good things you’ve been doing. I pray for greater heights for you”.
Evang. Orwell Uhuegbu, Proprietress of Giglograce, in her own tributes, said:
“I met Mrs Kenny through my sister who talked a lot about her. I was so curious to know her and one day, I asked my sister who Ms Kenny is and she replied that “she is the VJS”. My advice for you is to keep up the good work and God bless you”.
Alhaji Bakare, who said that he had his PGD programme with the former VJS administrator, said that her commitment in running her masters programme alongside her work, challenged him as a man.
“ Mrs Kenny made me remember when I was in service ,a boss of mine used to say whatever thing that you’re doing, people are watching. During our PGD programme, we had to travel to Abeokuta and then come to Ketu. Ms Kenny was the one doing most of my documentations.
“Despite the challenging nature of the course, she was simultaneously doing her master's degree in Abeokuta and she still tried to balance things up which worked out for her.
“Seeing her do all these at the same time, made me ask myself if I am actually a man because if a woman can do this then, I have got a long way to go. Ms. Kenny, God will continue to bless you and God will give you the right man and bless you with kids. Thank you”, he prayed.
The VJS’s Proprietress' brother, Mr Samuel Faith, also commended Ms Adelabu for supporting her sister and for her efforts in developing the school.
Some of the parents also took their turn to shower praises on Ms. Adelabu on her dedication to work.
A parent, simply identified as Mummy Sultan, in her tribute, said:
“Ms Kenny is a very hard – working, humble and straight forward person. No matter the number of parents who are in school, she would always attend to all of them one after the other. Just because of this alone, I give you kudos”.
Mrs Olufemi Idowu, also speaking, said:
“One thing I love so much about her is that she’s very understanding and she’s got listening ears. She always knows where you’re coming from when she’s listening to you. All I want is that she shouldn’t go, please. If there is anything that can be done, we (parents) don’t mind”.
Mrs Olufemi, another parent, in her own tribute, said:
“I really want to thank God for the life of Mrs.kenny, I remember when my kids started schooling here, there was someone here before her. During her own time, things were done accurately.
“Sometimes in 2018, I had a serious issue and anytime Ms. Kenny and l talk, she would keep telling me that, “lya lbeji, don’t worry, things will work out fine for you and your twins. They’ll be a great person and they’ll make you proud”.
“She’s full of encouragement. Every other person here (in the school) should please emulate her because whatever thing that you’re doing, don’t think that you are doing it for your boss, no, you’re doing it for yourself and you'll be celebrated the way we're celebrating her today.
There were also tributes from staff of the school testament to her commitment, dedication and caring attitudes.
Ms Kenny Adelabu spent about four years as an administrator of VJS with attached responsibilities as the acting Headmaster and Bursar.
While speaking about her relationship with VJS during a chat with THE IMPACT, she said that it all started when she applied through a vacancy placed at the school gate.
“I actually applied to Victory Joy School as a Secretary through the Vacancy placed in front of the School gate”, she recalled.
“I saw the Vacancy when I was going to submit my PGDE registration forms which Mrs Nwobodo (the owner of the school) was coordinating.
“I got in as a Secretary, after 6 months, I was given a letter by the proprietress promoting me to the position of the School Administrator.
“This was as a result of the positive results that I had achieved within that short time. My position as an administrator was all encompassing. Part of it was that I worked as a Bursar and the acting Headmaster.
“I got in June, 2016, and resigned in March 2020 when I got a job with the Lagos State Government”, she said.
Expressing her appreciation for the honour bestowed on her by the school and parents, Ms. Adelabu, who was lost for the right words to capture her feelings, described the day as awesome.
“Words will fail me if l am to express how grateful I am towards them all for the honour bestowed upon me. It was an awesome day, one I will not forget in a hurry as I’m still in awe of it all.
“I appreciate my very own proprietress, Mrs Ijeoma Nwobodo. I will always bless the very first day I met her. Only God can help me honour and bless her for her love for me. Thank you Ma.
“I appreciate all members of VJS teaching and non teaching staff. You are all awesome. God will honour you.
“I also appreciate VJS parents. Thanks for the gifts, both in cash and kind, as well as your prayers and love for me. God bless you all.
“Mr & Mrs Seidu, Mr & Mrs Ayeni, Mr & Mrs Ani, Mr & Mrs Adesipe, Mr & Mrs Somorin, Ms Toke , Mrs Umeobi and everyone who presented gift to me anonymously without writing their names on them and those who went out of their way to extend their gifts of love towards me, may God bless the works of your hands and shower you with every good thing your heart desires”, she prayed.
“To my friend, my daddy, my gist buddy, my birthday mate, CSO Odunlami, I don’t even know how to express my appreciation. Yes, like you said, it was as if we’ve known each other for many years. You are a best friend and confidante anyone would love to have. Thank you so much sir, for always being there for us, for always coming through. God bless you big sir.
“I’ve been missing them all and it’s very obvious that I can never get over Victory Joy School as it will always be my baby or how do you separate your body from your soul? This is exactly what VJS is to me. So, I can’t ever say goodbye.
”I will never stop loving VJS. Thank you all and God bless”, she said.
At the ceremony were members of the Adelabu family, led by the Publisher/Reporter – in – Chief of THE IMPACT newspaper, Kunle Adelabu, who were all on ground to drum support for one of their own
