Family members, friends, colleagues, associates and loved ones have gathered in solemn remembrance of Alhaja Shakirat Olajumoke Fowosere (née Adams), who passed away on 13 August 2026 at the age of 59. As the family marks her 41st-day remembrance, attention is once again drawn to a life defined by education, professional service, motherhood, leadership and an enduring commitment to the development of others. Though her passing has created a painful void, the memories of her achievements and the lives she influenced continue to provide a lasting testament to her remarkable journey.
Born on 31 October 1966 into the prestigious royal lineage of Prince and Mrs Abdul Fatai Adebisi of the Amoyegeso Ruling House, Idewon-Fidi Pote Mole, Ijebu Ode, Alhaja Shakirat was a royal daughter from the historic soil of Ijebu Itele, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. While her royal heritage gave her a distinguished background, she established her own identity through education, hard work, service and family values. She carried the dignity associated with her ancestry while building a legacy that extended well beyond her lineage.
Her educational journey reflected an early and sustained commitment to learning. Between 1973 and 1978, she attended Christ Central School, Ilupeju, Palm Groove, before proceeding to Ilupeju Grammar School, Oshodi, from 1979 to 1983. She subsequently studied at the African Church Teachers’ College, Ifako, from 1984 to 1987, and continued at the Federal College of Education, Osiele, from 1987 to 1990. Her quest for academic and professional development continued with further studies at the University of Lagos in 2002, reinforcing the intellectual foundation upon which she built her career.
For Alhaja Shakirat, education was more than an avenue for personal advancement; it became a vehicle through which she could contribute to society. On 28 October 1992, she joined the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, beginning a professional journey that would span more than three decades. Her first major posting was to Obele Community School, Randle, Surulere, where she served from 1992 to 2003. During those 11 years, she participated in the education and development of generations of students, combining classroom instruction with the discipline, guidance and values expected of a committed educator.
In 2003, she proceeded to AUD Grammar School, Randle, Surulere, where she continued her service until 2009. On 14 September 2009, another significant phase of her career began when she proceeded to the Education District IV Headquarters, where she continued her professional responsibilities in the CCS&T Department. Across the various stages of her career, she remained committed to the ideals of education and public service, demonstrating that teaching was not merely an occupation for her but a responsibility to help shape the future.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Alhaja Shakirat was equally defined by her roles within the family. She was a wife, mother and grandmother whose influence extended beyond material responsibilities to encompass guidance, discipline, affection and emotional support. To her children and grandchildren, she was a source of nurturing and direction, while to her extended family she remained a cherished member whose presence reflected both the dignity of her background and the warmth of her personal relationships.
Her colleagues and associates also remember a woman who understood the importance of responsibility, dedication and service. Her more than 30 years within the education system placed her in contact with numerous students, educators and administrators, creating a professional footprint that cannot be measured merely by official records. The true impact of a teacher often becomes visible years after the classroom experience, through the achievements, character and contributions of those she helped influence. In this regard, her legacy lives not only in her career history but also in the people whose lives intersected with hers.
Alhaja Shakirat’s life can therefore be viewed through several complementary identities: a royal daughter, an educator, a public servant, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a colleague and a friend. These roles were not isolated aspects of her existence but interconnected dimensions of a life devoted to building people and relationships. She built through education, through family, through professional service and through the values she demonstrated in her daily interactions. Her story illustrates how an individual can make a lasting contribution without necessarily seeking public acclaim.
As her 41st-day remembrance is observed, the focus is not solely on the circumstances of her departure but on the significance of the 59 years she spent on earth. From her early education at Christ Central School and Ilupeju Grammar School to her professional training at the African Church Teachers’ College and Federal College of Education, Osiele, and later academic advancement at the University of Lagos, her journey reflected continuous growth. Her subsequent service with the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission transformed that preparation into decades of practical contribution to education and society.
For her family, colleagues, former students, friends and associates, her absence will undoubtedly remain deeply felt. Yet her legacy provides a lasting source of remembrance: the values she imparted, the students she taught, the professional relationships she built, and the family she nurtured. As tributes continue to accompany her remembrance, Alhaja Shakirat Olajumoke Fowosere is being remembered not merely for having lived, but for having lived a life of purpose and service. May Almighty Allah forgive her shortcomings, accept her good deeds, reward her years of service, grant her Al-Jannah Firdaus and give her husband, children, grandchildren, relatives, colleagues and loved ones the fortitude to bear her loss. Ameen.
